Air transport air operator’s certificate (Part 119)

If you conduct or propose to conduct an air transport operation in Australia for fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft, you must hold an air transport air operator’s certificate (AOC). We grant these certificates under Part 119 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) – Australian air transport operators.

Applying for or varying an air transport AOC

Use the application form for any of the following:

  • Initial issue of an air transport AOC.
  • Operators wishing to conduct an air transport operation using foreign registered aircraft (unless Part 129 applies for foreign air transport operations).
  • Significant change to your existing air operations (you can include non-significant changes at the same time).
  • Removal of aircraft, activities or key personnel.
  • Renewal of an existing air transport AOC.
  • Addition or removal of associated approvals under Parts 91, 121, 133 or 135.

To do any of the above, you must submit form:

For definitions of 'significant change', refer to paragraph 119.020 of the CASR.

You must complete parts A and H. You only need to complete the remaining parts of the form if you are applying for the type of operations, approvals or authorisations specified.

The table below shows the required parts of the form in each scenario.

Required parts of the form for an initial issue, significant change or renewal to your AOC
Application form part Initial Issue Significant Change Renewal (no changes) Renewal (with removal of aircraft or activities or key persons) Renewal with removal of approvals (Parts 91, 119, 121, 133 and 135)
Part A – Applicant Required Required Required Required Required
Part B – Operating bases and key personnel Required If making changes to operating bases or key personnel - - -
Part C – Aircraft additions and operating areas Required If making changes to aircraft fleet or operating areas - - -
Part D – Significant changes and removal of aircraft or activities or key persons - Required - Required -
Part E – Approvals If applying for approvals If adding or removing approvals - - Required
Part F – Exposition compliance matrix Required - - - -
Part G – Additional authorisations Required If applying for authorisations - - -
Part H – Applicant history, checklist and declaration Required Required Required Required Required

The air operator’s certificate application form can be downloaded as a complete application form:

You can also download only the Parts you need for your application.

If you are applying for ANZA privileges for the first time, refer to our guidance on Australia and NZ mutual recognition of air operator's certificates.

Submitting non-significant changes

If you are only notifying us of non-significant changes use the following form instead:

Complete and submit your application form and supporting documents.

Supporting documents

In addition to the application form, you must also provide the following:

Initial issue: When applying for the first time you must include a complete exposition document covering all requirements of the regulations for your proposed operations.

Significant change: You must resubmit the relevant parts of your exposition identifying the changes you wish to make, along with supporting information. You may choose to give us your complete exposition document including proposed changes.

Non-significant change: You must give us your updated exposition identifying the changes you have made.

Renewals without change: You only need to submit the signed application form.

The exposition included with your application must include a process for identifying and making changes. Refer to paragraph 119.205 (1) (m) of the CASR.

We have created templates that you can adapt so your exposition meets the updated flight operations rules. Learn more about the sample operations manual templates for flight operators.

To assist you when compiling your exposition, refer to Advisory Circular

Associated approvals – form Part E

There are a range of other approvals you can apply for or remove using the AOC and associated approvals form.

Associated approvals are available under Parts 91, 119, 121, 133 and 135 of CASR.

How to apply

If you are only notifying us of non-significant changes refer to the submitting non-significant changes section above.

  1. Complete and submit your AOC application form

    Complete and submit a signed AOC and associated approvals form to advise us of your intended operations:

    Instructions on how to submit are within the form.

    We will acknowledge receipt of your application by email.

    We will review the application to ensure you have answered the relevant questions and provided all required documents. If your application is incomplete, we will notify you.

  2. Pay the fee and submit supporting documents

    We will send you an estimate of the costs to assess your application. This is valid for 30 days from the date of estimate.

    The estimate letter will also contain any additional documents you must provide to support your application.

    If you wish to proceed with your application, you must:

    • pay the application fee
    • submit any supporting documents.
  3. Assessing your application

    We won't start formally assessing your application until we have received your payment and any supporting documents.

    If we don’t receive your payment and supporting documents within 30 days, we may close your request. We will notify you if this happens.

  4. Issue of your certificate

    When we have finished assessing your application, we will finalise your request and email the certificate to you.

AOC ownership

The process of gaining an AOC is comprehensive and designed to ensure that all aspects of aviation operations comply with Australia’s rigorous safety standards.

AOCs are unique to each operator and cannot be transferred – this is explicitly outlined in Section 27 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

Surrendering an AOC

CASA conducts surveillance on AOC holders to ensure compliance with the safety rules. To avoid unnecessary administration, AOC holders are encouraged to surrender or cancel their AOCs if they are no longer conducting the operations CASA has authorised.

Further assistance

Contact us for assistance on your application or questions about your air transport AOC.

Last updated:
3 Oct 2024
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//licences-and-certificates/air-operators/air-transport-air-operators-certificate/air-transport-air-operators-certificate-part-119
Back to top of page