The RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap timeline

March 2025

OP5: Review and develop pathways to support research and development operations In progress

Review requirements for research and development; and develop and publish guidance. This activity aims to support industry needs, while ensuring best practices and safety standards throughout systems, operations development and testing processes.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

Update:

The release of the discussion paper is experiencing a slight delay for public release. Internal peer review of the paper is expected to close in mid-April, after which CASA will consider feedback and determine next steps for engagement.

Due to standard practices around election periods, we now expect to release the paper after the election.

December 2025

OP4a: Develop industry guidance to support large RPAS operations In progress

Review policy and publish industry guidance outlining operational pathways to support the safe operation of large RPAS.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

Update:

CASA continues to investigate regulatory pathways to enable commercial operations involving large RPAs without an airworthiness certificate. Communications with industry will be forthcoming once CASA has concluded its investigations.

September 2026

OP9a: Develop guidance on the operational approval requirements for AAM operations (pilot on board) Not started

Develop guidance and pathways for operational approval for pilot on board AAM operations with a focus on aviation safety through efficient processes.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

December 2027

OP15: Consider alternative methods of regulatory oversight, including possible use of self-administering organisations Not started

Review appropriateness of regulatory oversight as operational activity profiles develop and mature over time. This could include third-party authorisations or the establishment of self-administering organisations.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

December 2028

OP4b: Engage internationally to assist the development of regulatory pathways to resolve the 12 nm issue In progress

Continue working with ICAO and like-minded regulators at legal and operational levels to help develop regulatory solutions for the 12 nm issue.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

December 2028

OP7: Implement rule changes from the PIR of CASR Part 101 In progress

Continue to implement the actions that resulted from the 2021 post-implementation review and public consultation in 2022.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

June 2029

OP13: Complete analysis to integrate RPAS operational requirements into relevant CASR parts for operations outside the scope of Part 101 Not started

Analyse the need to integrate RPAS operational requirements across the CASR framework to safely cater for the increasing complexity of RPAS aircraft and future operations.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

June 2025

AA1: Publish guidance on cybersecurity for RPAS In progress

Create guidance material for assessing cybersecurity in low and medium-risk RPAS operations.

Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.

September 2025

AA5: Progress the development of a fit for purpose continuing airworthiness policy for higher-risk RPAS In progress

Review and update maintenance and continuing airworthiness policies for RPAS so they are appropriate as platforms increase in size and complexity. This includes consideration of maintenance personnel authorisations and continuing airworthiness management policies.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

December 2025

AA4a: Publish a policy position for the airworthiness certification of RPAS Not started

Review and develop airworthiness regulatory pathways for higher-risk RPAS, to support expected platforms and their safe and efficient operations. 

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

September 2026

AA3: Progress the development of a fit for purpose continuing airworthiness policy for AAM Not started

Progress the development of a fit-for-purpose continuing airworthiness policy and regulatory pathways. Adopt a proportional approach to AAM maintenance, maintenance personnel licensing, and continuing airworthiness management policies.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

March 2027

AA7a: Develop a policy position for the airworthiness certification of remotely piloted AAM Not started

Work with international regulatory authorities to develop a harmonised policy for the remote piloted operation of AAM aircraft.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

June 2027

AA4b: Publish airworthiness criteria and certification guidance for RPAS Not started

Work with international regulatory authorities to harmonise guidance on airworthiness criteria for certified RPAS.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

September 2029

AA4c: Publish acceptable means of compliance for certified RPAS Not started

Identify published standards from standards organisations that applicants may use to show compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements. This will need us to work with international regulatory authorities to harmonise as certified RPAS needs mature.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

June 2030

AA7c: Publish acceptable means of compliance for remotely piloted AAM Not started

Identify published standards from standards organisations that applicants may use to show compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements. This will need us to work with international regulatory authorities to harmonise as remotely piloted AAM needs mature.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

June 2025

PE1: Begin implementation of regulatory and system changes following the review of RePL requirements In progress

Begin implementing regulatory and system changes based on RePL requirements review. Future-proof the licensing system to accommodate industry growth and evolving concepts of operation. This could include streamlined pathways for medium RPAS licensing.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

Update:

We are working with industry through a TWG, established by the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel, on medium category and broader RPAS licensing framework improvements.

December 2026

PE5: Review training requirements for remote pilots conducting BVLOS operations in controlled airspace Not started

Build on the BVLOS OCTA exam developed in 2023 to meet remote pilot training needs. Use operational maturity to inform the timing.

Principle: Safety first.

June 2027

PE7: Monitor and update rules to support new RePL licensing requirements Not started

Review and update rules as needed so they are fit for purpose as operational needs evolve. Clarifying requirements to enhance and mature the rules.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

June 2028

PE3: Commence implementation of standard training and licensing requirements for personnel involved in piloted passenger carrying AAM Not started

Monitor international developments towards implementing harmonised requirements for AAM. This work needs to consider how aviation professionals transition their current licensing to new vehicles and technologies.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

June 2030

PE9: Implement standard training and licensing requirements for personnel involved in remotely piloted and optionally piloted passenger carrying AAM Not started

Implement standardised training and licensing for personnel in remotely piloted and optionally piloted AAM aircraft. Ensure personnel have the skills and knowledge for safe and efficient operations.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

December 2025

AM6: Consider standardised airspace requirements for RPAS - RPAS and RPAS - AAM In progress

Conduct analysis to decide the need for, demand drivers, and oversight requirements for RPAS integration.

Principle: Safety first.

December 2025

AM5: Conduct an analysis to understand the crossover point from self-separation to a ‘managed’ environment In progress

Conduct analysis to decide the need for, demand drivers, and oversight requirements for RPAS integration.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

December 2026

AM3: Develop an implementation plan for airspace modernisation that is flexible, scalable and supports all airspace users Not started

Develop an implementation plan under the AFAF, supported by a long-term strategic airspace plan that will support all airspace users. This will be reliant on both higher-level policy and operational technology.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

December 2027

AM4b: Initial implementation to ease identified risks and support AAM airspace integration Not started

Commence implementation to mitigate identified risks and facilitate AAM airspace integration to assist broader acceptance by all airspace users.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

June 2028

AM9: Consider airspace requirements for vertiport operations Not started

Consider airspace requirements to address demand and capacity needs for air traffic into and out of vertiports.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

June 2029

AM2b: Review flight rules against the future needs for AAM Not started

Research how international flight rules for RPAS and AAM have been implemented and investigate how existing flight rules apply to RPAS and AAM in Australia. Review Australian flight rules considering the evolving needs of AAM, anticipating the need to align with operational maturity and technology advancements over time. Identify future changes required including conspicuity and equipage considerations.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

December 2029

AM8: Consider regulatory requirements for integrating air traffic management systems Not started

Consider the regulatory needs for integrating air traffic management systems (for instance, ATM and UTM) following the Civil Military Air Traffic Management System implementation and government policy direction on UTM.

Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.

December 2030

AM11: Continue airspace modernisation to support the integration of RPAS and AAM into all airspace environments Not started

Progress airspace modernisation towards the integration of RPAS and AAM into all airspace environments, ensuring a safe, efficient and cohesive operational environment.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

June 2026

IN2: Consider a regulatory framework to support RPAS and AAM infrastructure (for example vertiports, vertipads) In progress

Establish a regulatory framework to support the infrastructure needs for RPAS and AAM operations, including vertiports and vertipads. This framework will outline the rules and standards to ensure safety, efficiency, and integration of AAM infrastructure into regional and urban environments.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

December 2026

IN3: Develop guidance for infrastructure required to support research and development activities Not started

Develop guidance in relation to the infrastructure needed to support automated flight and airspace flow between vertiports. The activity is also dependent on OEM requirements and operator concepts of operation.

Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.

June 2031

IN5: Develop a regulatory framework for the operation of research and development infrastructure Not started

Develop a regulatory framework for research and development infrastructure. Set standards and guidelines to ensure safety, compliance, and effective management. Support industry innovation while maintaining safety.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.