The RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap timeline

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.

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.

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.

We will investigate MOSAIC for the Australian environment in collaboration with industry.

Deliverables

• Review the FAA implementation of MOSAIC and identify possible opportunities for future Australian regulatory changes.

Develop an overarching framework to align and integrate all airspace users, including RPAS, AAM and high-altitude operations. The AFAF is a component of Australia’s long-term airspace reforms.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

Begin implementation towards RPAS airspace integration to mitigate identified risks, facilitate progress, and help gain broader acceptance from all airspace users. This includes maturing systems building from trials for automated airspace authorisations for ReOC holders within 5.5 km of selected controlled airports.

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

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

Principle: Safety first.

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.

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

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

Continue to develop policies and pathways for RPAS operations that are relative to the risk and complexity of the operations. This could include further clarification and streamlining of BVLOS pathways, and consideration of high altitude and increasingly automated RPAS. It may include identifying streamlined pathways to enable lower risk RPAS operations.

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

Review processes and supporting documentation in line with current priorities and resourcing. We will consider quality assurance and continuous improvement practices. Where possible, streamline applications while ensuring safety. This could include considering digitisation or similar technologies to enhance efficiency and timeliness. 

Principle: Risk and outcome-based.

We maintain liaison with first responder agencies to enhance education on the safe operation of RPAS and regularly review policies and procedures that support operations.

Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.

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.

Develop guidance material, design requirements, and rules for vertiports and other infrastructure needed to support AAM operations. This initiative will ensure that facilities are safe, efficient, and able to meet AAM needs, helping integration into urban and regional environments.

Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.

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.

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.

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.

Work with international regulatory authorities to harmonise guidance on the certification of piloted AAM, airworthiness criteria and means of compliance.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

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

Principle: Adaptive and scalable.

Work with ACMA, DITRDCA and Airservices Australia to understand and establish spectrum requirements for RPAS and AAM.

Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.

We analyse data from the National Drone Detection System to assess RPAS user behaviour for compliance and aviation safety. We use this data for enforcement related matters and informing mitigation strategies like targeted safety campaigns.

Principle: Safety first.

We will continue to work with DITRDCA on RPAS-related activities and initiatives to support whole of government efforts.

Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.

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.

The proposed Part 43 will reduce administrative costs and set the rules for the maintenance of aircraft engaged in private and aerial work operations.

We’ve consulted over the last 4 years and have taken your feedback on board. We are currently putting the finishing touches on the proposed ruleset, implementation guidelines, and supporting material before seeking final endorsement.

Deliverables

• Final phase of regulation making and commencement
• Implementation – preparations are underway will continue through the transition period.

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.

The proposed Part 43 will reduce administrative costs and set the rules for the maintenance of aircraft engaged in private and aerial work operations.

We’ve consulted over the last 4 years and have taken your feedback on board. We are currently putting the finishing touches on the proposed ruleset, implementation guidelines, and supporting material before seeking final endorsement.

Deliverables

• Final phase of regulation making and commencement
• Implementation – preparations are underway will continue through the transition period.

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.

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.

We will consider amendments to Part 101 to reduce regulatory burden and reflect contemporary safety risks for the RPAS industry.

Deliverables

• MOS amendments through 2025 to bring benefits to industry.
• Regulation changes late 2025-26.

We will amend dangerous goods regulations (Part 92) to address identified deficiencies and simplify the existing legislation.

Deliverables

• Regulation drafting and industry consultation 2026.
• Implementation 2026.

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.

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

Progress development of a Class 4 medical certificate assessed and certified by specialist general practitioners.

Deliverables

• A comprehensive post-implementation review (PIR) of the Class 5 self-declared policy will be an opportunity to review and consider the effectiveness of the policy. The PIR will also inform the development of the proposed Class 4 medical certificate