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.
| 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 |
You can download the air operator’s certificate application form 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.