The RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap

Cybersecurity guidance published - 26 March 2026

We've published Advisory Circular (AC) 21-57 - Airworthiness cybersecurity for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).

The AC provides guidance on how RPAS designers and manufacturers can manage cyber threats. It also helps RPAS operators understand cybersecurity risks that could affect aviation safety.

Consultation opened 5 November 2025 - 25 November 2025

We would like your feedback on the draft advisory circular (AC) for airworthiness cybersecurity for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).

Airworthiness cybersecurity is about the protection of aviation information systems from cyber threats. most importantly, this relates to intentional unauthorised electronic interactions that may result in adverse effects upon the safety of an aircraft.

Submit your feedback by 5 December 2025 via our Consultation Hub.

Guidance under review - 21 July 2025

Draft guidance material is undergoing final review. We expect to publish it for consultation by end of August 2025.

Roadmap for AAM Type Certification - 21 July 2025

The National Aviation Authorities Network released the Roadmap for Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Type Certification on 17 June 2025.

It aims to ensure safety, support collaboration, encourage innovation and streamline the certification and validation process for new aircraft types across international borders.

Hydrogen symposium - 4 April 2025

We held a hydrogen and fuel cell airworthiness meeting on February 26, 2025. Industry shared key challenges and gaps in the regulations. This supports regulations for AAM aircraft in Australia.

Milestone update - 25 November 2025

We anticipate that we will deliver guidance via an Advisory Circular (AC) incorporating both the national policy position (AA2a) and relevant airworthiness criteria.

We are balancing the benefits of incorporating learnings from early applicants against finalising the AC in line with the original milestone. Consultation with the Biannual Roadmap Technical Working Group informs how we do so.

Hydrogen symposium - 21 July 2025

We held a hydrogen and fuel cell airworthiness meeting on 26 February 2025. Industry shared key challenges and gaps in the regulations. This work supports regulations for AAM aircraft in Australia.

Summary of Consultation - 26 March 2026

The summary of consultation has been published. We received 5 responses to the consultation. Overall, respondents strongly supported the proposed changes.

Consultation closed on 21 November 2025 - 3 March 2026

We asked for feedback on proposed changes to the airworthiness certification requirements for large remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).

We received strong support for the changes. We will now progress the proposed regulation and MOS amendments and aim to finish them by the end of Q2 2026.

Consultation Open 21 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

We are seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the current requirements for airworthiness certification of large Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

This action is part of the RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap.

The proposed amendment would provide flexibility in 2 areas:

• The types of certificates of airworthiness that may be used for operations of large RPA
• The circumstances where a certificate of airworthiness may not be required for operations of large RPA.

Submit your feedback by 21 November 2025 via our Consultation Hub.

Regulation amendments - 23 September 2025

We are preparing amendments to the Part 101 regulations and MOS. These amendments will provide more flexibility for airworthiness certification of large RPA. We expect the proposed changes to be ready for public consultation by the end of 2025. It is important to note that this process depends on resources outside of CASA control, but we aim for the regulation to be made in the first half of 2026.

Summary of Consultation - 26 March 2026

The summary of consultation has been published. There were 4 respondents to the consultation. All respondents supported the proposed changes and draft legislative amendments.

Consultation closed on 18 November 2025 - 3 March 2026

We asked for feedback on proposed changes to Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 100.24

We received strong support for the changes. We will now progress the proposed legislative amendments and continue to develop the related guidance material at Section 7 of AC-101-01. We will aim to finish the changes by the end of Q2 2026.

Consultation open 21 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

We are seeking your feedback on proposed changes to Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 100.24.

We intend these changes to reduce the administration and time involved in the maintenance authority application and approval process required for large Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

The amendment would establish a streamlined administrative arrangement to improve application and processing times.

Submit your feedback by 18 November 2025 via our Consultation Hub.

Continuing airworthiness - 21 July 2025

We are working to improve outcomes for maintenance permissions required under the current rules (e.g., CASR 101.260, 101.265, 101.020, and CAO 100.24).

We are focused on ensuring the competency of maintenance personnel and achieving practical outcomes that reflect the aircraft type and risk of operation.

We encourage industry to provide feedback to their TWG representatives.

Priority task - 4 March 2025

We have identified this as a priority task, and we have started working on it. We plan to deliver guidance progressively between now and Q2 2026.