A safety management system (SMS) is a structured safety approach. It is a framework that connects and formalises all your safety activities, such as:
- safety policy and objectives
- safety risk management
- safety assurance
- safety training and promotion
An SMS goes beyond compliance. It fosters a positive safety culture across the organisation to protect people, assets and the public. It’s about making safety part of every decision, every day.
Why your SMS matters
An effective SMS will help you to:
- identify hazards and learn from safety events
- make informed decisions with clear risk processes
- build a strong safety culture with shared responsibility
- reduce incidents and accidents
- improve operational performance and efficiency.
To learn more:
- read Booklet 1 – Safety Management System basics from our SMS resource kit
- watch our video to understand how SMS builds proactive safety and manages aviation risks.
Who needs an SMS
You must have an SMS if you operate under these Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 provisions:
- Air operator certificates (AOC) under Part 119, this also includes:
- Part 121 air transport operations - larger aeroplanes
- Part 133 air transport operations - rotorcraft
- Part 135 air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes
- Aerial work certificates (Part 138) - This is for specific operators required to have an SMS
- Aerodrome certificates (Part 139) - This is for specific operators required to have an SMS
- AOC Part 142
- Maintenance and support approvals (Part 145)
- Sport and recreational organisations (Part 149)
- Other service provider approvals (Parts 171, 172, 173 and 175)
To get your SMS underway, check out our SMS Resource Kit.
2 Feb 2026