On 13 October 2025, the Minster for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government the Hon Catherine King MP, issued a Statement of Expectations to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for the period 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2027. The Statement of Expectations serves as a notice to the Board of CASA under section 12A of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) and formalises the Minister’s expectations concerning the operations and performance of CASA.
CASA responded to the accountabilities in the Statement of Expectations on 15 December 2025 with a Statement of Intent 2025-27.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) will adhere to the Act, the Airspace Act 2007, the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and any other relevant legislation when performing its functions and exercising its powers. CASA will continue to operate in an efficient, effective, economical and ethical manner that is consistent with applicable Government policies.
CASA’s Board and staff will comply with CASA’s Values and Code of Conduct directive which is consistent with the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct.
Governance
CASA will maintain better practice governance arrangements in the way it manages its operations and day-to-day operational, policy, financial, personnel and administrative activities, as detailed in the Government’s regulatory reform agenda Regulatory, Policy, Practices and Performance Framework and Regulator Performance Guide.
The Board and Chief Executive Officer/Director of Aviation Safety (CEO/DAS) will make decisions and act collegiately in accordance with their legislated responsibilities to ensure that CASA performs its functions in a proper, efficient and effective manner, and complies with directions given by the Minister under the Act. Accordingly, the CASA Board will set the strategic direction and take responsibility for risk management and corporate planning, and the CEO/DAS will manage CASA’s operations and organisational capacity, along with the performance of its statutory functions.
CASA will promptly alert you and the Secretary of the Department of any event or issue that may materially impact CASA’s operations. CASA will also advise you of any submissions, major media releases or speeches and other information for which the Government is accountable to the Parliament.
The Board will continue to actively promote effective communication and engagement between CASA and its stakeholders. This will include hosting ‘meet the Board’ events to allow industry representatives to speak to the Board and CASA about important issues. A summary of matters discussed at each Board meeting will be published within 20 business days of the date of meeting.
In relation to both perceived and actual conflicts of interest, the Board has in place processes, including:
- a conflict of interest policy published on the CASA website
- declarations of Material Personal Interest, and
- a conflict-of-interest register reviewed at every Board meeting.
In accordance with good governance practices, the Board continue to review and uplift its conflict management and corporate governance policies at least on an annual basis.
The Board will continue to undertake regular assessments of its own skills and capabilities and advise the Minister and the Department on any gaps or enhancements required, as well as on forthcoming Board vacancies.
CASA will work to support Government policy, particularly its regulatory reform agenda and act consistently with the principles of the Government’s Regulatory Policy, Practices and Performance Framework and Regulator Performance Guide. To do this, CASA will balance the benefits of reducing regulatory burden on the aviation sector while helping ensure the delivery of aviation safety and public interest outcomes.
In doing so, CASA will consider the economic and cost impact of the standards CASA sets, and the differing risks associated with different sectors of industry.
CASA will provide the Minister with a corporate plan which sets out our performance metrics, and an annual performance statement which reports against these metrics.
The Board will continue to focus on the culture of CASA to ensure it reflects the Government’s expectations to support a safe and sustainable aviation sector.
Strategic direction and manner of performance
CASA will regard the safety of air navigation as the most important consideration, in accordance with its legislative obligations and will perform its functions in accordance with all applicable legislative requirements.
CASA will perform its functions consistent with Australia’s international obligations, including Australia’s obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
CASA will manage resources in accordance with its financial position and workforce plan, following best practice principles and guidelines and its Board and staff will adhere to the Code of Conduct and CASA Values.
CASA will maintain its role as a world leader in aviation safety and will fulfill its commitments in the Asia-pacific region.
CASA will continue to consider the impact of new regulations on general aviation, and rural and remote regions.
CASA will make publicly available through publication on the CASA website, its regulatory philosophy and implementation approach in accordance with that philosophy.
The Statement of Intent sets out how CASA will address the expectations in relation to our regulatory approach, the Government’s key initiatives and our approach to stakeholder engagement. CASA will provide the Minister with quarterly updates on progress focused on matters with clearly articulated deliverables.