Agricultural flying sector safety risk profile

Category(s)

View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline

Air transport and continuing airworthiness – Part 42 and Part 145

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

This will align the continuing airworthiness and maintenance regulations for all air transport sectors with the new flight operations safety risk framework.

Deliverables

Regulation and MOS drafting to commence late 2025.
Industry consultation will occur on the changes and guidance material.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q4 2028

Status

In progress

View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline

Enhance maintenance licence pathways

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Continue to remove regulatory burden to assist in the attraction and retention of aircraft maintenance engineers.

Deliverables

Policy development and consultation 2024, implementation progressively during 2025 with development and publication of the foreign recognition framework finalised by late 2025.
Progressive changes to the Part 66 regulations and MOS in 2025-2026 to support exclusion removal by self-study improvements.
Review and clarify LAME privileges for annual inspections of small, simple general aviation aircraft.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q4 2026

Status

In progress

View Further continuous improvement for general aviation timeline

Flight training organisations conducting scenic flights

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Further continuous improvement for general aviation

Category(s)

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) approvals

Updated 29 July 2025

View Further continuous improvement for general aviation timeline

Publication(s)

Further continuous improvement for general aviation

Category(s)

Carriage of emergency service passengers

Updated 29 July 2025

View Further continuous improvement for general aviation timeline

Publication(s)

Further continuous improvement for general aviation

Category(s)

Determine whether to allow limited helicopter ground firefighting passenger carried under the 'aerial work' rules.

Deliverables

Commencing Q3 2025, this change will let aerial work certificate holder use helicopters to transport ground personnel in certain situations, instead of using the air transport rules.

Start date:

Q4 2024

End date:

Q3 2025

Status

In progress

View Further continuous improvement for general aviation timeline

Public benefit flying

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Further continuous improvement for general aviation

Category(s)

Review arrangements for community service flights, charitable flights and other forms of public benefit flying.

Deliverables

Codify arrangements for existing community service flights to be conducted as private flights.
Codify arrangements for certain flights conducted for charitable purposes to be conducted as private flights.
Scope whether further public benefit flights should be conducted as private flights.

Start date:

Q2 2025

End date:

Q1 2027

Status

In progress

View Further continuous improvement for general aviation timeline

Limited aerial work underpinning policy

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Further continuous improvement for general aviation

Category(s)

Passenger and cargo transport operations – Part 119 MOS

Updated 29 July 2025

View Further continuous improvement for general aviation timeline View Flight operations timeline

Publication(s)

Further continuous improvement for general aviation

Category(s)

Flight operations

Determine future policy for passenger and cargo transport flights by non-air transport businesses.

Deliverables

Finalise policy development and undertake consultations during 2025.
Implementation readiness and industry engagement from Q1 2026.
Make and commence relevant rules Q2 2026.
Deferred provisions, where needed, may be in place until approximately 18 months – 2 years after the Part 119 MOS commences.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q3 2027

Status

In progress

View Increasing sport and recreational opportunities timeline View Sport and recreational aviation timeline

Part 103 project

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Sport and recreational aviation

Develop a Part 103 MOS to replace relevant sport and recreation Civil Aviation Orders (CAOs).

Deliverables

Consult with relevant stakeholders during 2025 and 2026
Finalise the Part 103 Manual of Standards (MOS) in 2026.
Commence the Part 103 MOS an appropriate period after the MOS is finalised
Where appropriate, deferred MOS provisions might not be implemented until 18 months to 2 years (or longer – to be determined through consultation activities) after the MOS commences.

Start date:

Q4 2024

End date:

Q4 2027

Status

In progress

View Increasing sport and recreational opportunities timeline View Emerging technologies and future opportunities timeline

Certification of light sport aircraft (MOSAIC) Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Emerging technologies and future opportunities

Pilot access to Class C and Class D airspace

Updated 29 July 2025

View Increasing sport and recreational opportunities timeline

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Expand access to controlled airspace for Recreation Aviation Australia (RAAus) pilots from 2025.

Deliverables

Implement legislative changes enabling RA-Aus pilots to access relevant airspaces, with access to be contingent on RA-Aus implementing appropriate systems, controls and processes.

Start date:

Q2 2024

End date:

Q4 2025

Status

In progress

View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline

Continuing airworthiness for general aviation – Part 43

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline

Air transport and continuing airworthiness – Part 42 and Part 145

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

This will align the continuing airworthiness and maintenance regulations for all air transport sectors with the new flight operations safety risk framework.

Deliverables

Regulation and MOS drafting to commence late 2025.
Industry consultation will occur on the changes and guidance material.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q4 2028

Status

In progress

View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline

Enhance maintenance licence pathways

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Continue to remove regulatory burden to assist in the attraction and retention of aircraft maintenance engineers.

Deliverables

Policy development and consultation 2024, implementation progressively during 2025 with development and publication of the foreign recognition framework finalised by late 2025.
Progressive changes to the Part 66 regulations and MOS in 2025-2026 to support exclusion removal by self-study improvements.
Review and clarify LAME privileges for annual inspections of small, simple general aviation aircraft.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q4 2026

Status

In progress

View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline

Review unique airworthiness directives

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Remove duplication and ensure any unique Australian differences align with contemporary policy and regulatory approaches.

Deliverables

Collate inconsistencies between Australian directives and requirements specified by State of Design for an aircraft and consider how these can be streamlined.
Discuss with industry with a view to scope potential changes that would deliver the greatest benefit without unacceptable effects on safety.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q4 2026

Status

In progress

View Improving pilot licensing rules timeline View Airworthiness and maintenance timeline

Recognition of military qualifications

Updated 30 July 2025

Publication(s)

Improving pilot licensing rules

Category(s)

We will continue to work with Defence on pathways for recognition of military qualifications for pilots and Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (LAME).

Deliverables

We will consider a recognition approach for Defence technical staff responsible for maintenance of communications, navigation and surveillance infrastructure
We will review pilot and pilot instructor recognition
We will consider recognition of Defence maintenance authorisations for LAME licensing

Start date:

Q2 2025

End date:

Q3 2026

Status

In progress

View Increasing sport and recreational opportunities timeline View Sport and recreational aviation timeline

Part 103 project

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Sport and recreational aviation

Develop a Part 103 MOS to replace relevant sport and recreation Civil Aviation Orders (CAOs).

Deliverables

Consult with relevant stakeholders during 2025 and 2026
Finalise the Part 103 Manual of Standards (MOS) in 2026.
Commence the Part 103 MOS an appropriate period after the MOS is finalised
Where appropriate, deferred MOS provisions might not be implemented until 18 months to 2 years (or longer – to be determined through consultation activities) after the MOS commences.

Start date:

Q4 2024

End date:

Q4 2027

Status

In progress

Amendment to dangerous goods regulations

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Flight crew licensing review

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Update aerodrome standards

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Improve fatigue management rules

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

We will review Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 48.1 to identify continuous improvement opportunities for flight crew. We will then consider policy options for cabin crew fatigue rules.

Deliverables

Post implementation review on pilot fatigue 2025.
Industry consultation and improvements to CAO 48.1 in 2025-26.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q4 2026

Status

Not started

Safety management systems

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

View Increasing sport and recreational opportunities timeline View Emerging technologies and future opportunities timeline

Certification of light sport aircraft (MOSAIC) Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Category(s)

Emerging technologies and future opportunities

Standards for remotely piloted aircraft (RPAS)

Updated 29 July 2025

View Emerging technologies and future opportunities timeline

Publication(s)

Emerging technologies and future opportunities

Category(s)

Passenger and cargo transport operations – Part 119 MOS

Updated 29 July 2025

View Further continuous improvement for general aviation timeline View Flight operations timeline

Publication(s)

Further continuous improvement for general aviation

Category(s)

Flight operations

Determine future policy for passenger and cargo transport flights by non-air transport businesses.

Deliverables

Finalise policy development and undertake consultations during 2025.
Implementation readiness and industry engagement from Q1 2026.
Make and commence relevant rules Q2 2026.
Deferred provisions, where needed, may be in place until approximately 18 months – 2 years after the Part 119 MOS commences.

Start date:

Q1 2025

End date:

Q3 2027

Status

In progress

View Flight operations timeline

Global aeronautical distress and safety systems

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

View Improving pilot licensing rules timeline

Category(s)

Flight operations

Rationalise pilot licensing exemptions for general aviation

Updated 29 July 2025

Publication(s)

Improving pilot licensing rules

Category(s)

We will undertake a scoping activity to rationalise current exemptions related to general aviation.

Deliverables

A review of exemptions will be undertaken to further reduce regulatory burden while maintaining safety standards, especially for smaller or non-commercial operators.

Start date:

Q4 2025

End date:

Q4 2026

Status

Not started