Aviation policy and regulation in Australia
Policy and regulation for airlines, airports, aviation service providers and drone operators. Below are the official items from the last 14 days that we rated high or medium for Aviation, each linked to its official source.
What we match to Aviation
We rate each item for Aviation. Items on these subjects, among others, are matched to this sector:
- Aviation and transport
- Tourism, hospitality and short-stay accommodation
- Energy and climate
- Consumer law and product safety
- Trade and foreign investment
Official items from the last 14 days
As at 2:50 am on 21 Oct 2026 (Sydney time), 13 official items from the last 14 days are rated high or medium for Aviation.
Consultations and SOCs published this week (opens the official source in a new tab)
Source: Civil Aviation Safety Authority. CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
Safety management systems for aerodrome rescue and firefighting and air traffic and air navigation service providers - (PP 2618SS) (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Civil Aviation Safety Authority is consulting on a proposal to create a single set of safety management system (SMS) requirements under a new Part 5 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and an associated Manual of Standards. The proposal applies to aerodrome rescue and firefighting service providers, air traffic service providers, aeronautical communication and navigation service providers, aeronautical information service providers, and instrument flight procedure design organisations. The changes would align Australia's SMS requirements with ICAO Annex 19 and add protections for safety data and information not currently included. A 2-year transition period is proposed. Consultation closes 11 November 2026.
Draft guidance on airworthiness-related operational safety objectives for AusSORA (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Civil Aviation Safety Authority is consulting on draft guidance for airworthiness-related operational safety objectives under the Australian Specific Operational Risk Assessment (AusSORA). The consultation covers seven operational safety objectives: manufacturing, maintenance, C3 link characteristics, conformity check, flight envelope protection, recovery from human error, and human factors. Feedback closes 11 November 2026. CASA will review submissions, publish responses where permitted, and update the guidance accordingly.
CASA ADCX 003/26 - Repeal of Airworthiness Directive AD/CFM56/26 Instrument 2026 (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryCASA repeals Australian Airworthiness Directive AD/CFM56/26 because its requirements have been superseded by EASA AD 2026-0161, issued 7 August 2026 with effective date 21 August 2026. The foreign AD is automatically adopted by CASA under Part 39 of CASR and applies to CFM International Turbine Engines - CFM56 Series engines. The instrument commences 14 October 2026 and is automatically repealed under section 48A of the Legislation Act 2003.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 16 October 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
Part 21 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2026 (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts amended the Part 21 Manual of Standards Instrument 2016 under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The amendment prescribes requirements for certificates of airworthiness for Defence Force and foreign non-civilian aircraft, recognises European Union Aviation Safety Agency design standards for light sport aeroplanes and very light rotorcraft, approves certain materials and parts for special purpose, medical transport and search and rescue operations, and prescribes minimum performance standards for rescue baskets, cages and enclosures for external personnel carriage on rotorcraft.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 14 October 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
FAA SAIB 2026-17 - Boeing 737 - VNAV Approach Disconnect Following Missed Approach, Anomaly on Airplanes with FMC U14.0/14.1 (opens the official source in a new tab)
Source: Civil Aviation Safety Authority. CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
CASA ADCX 004/26 - Repeal of Airworthiness Directive AD/CFM56/28 Instrument 2026 (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryCASA repeals Australian Airworthiness Directive AD/CFM56/28 because its requirements have been superseded by EASA AD 2026-0161, issued 7 August 2026 with effective date 21 August 2026. The foreign AD is automatically adopted by CASA under Part 39 of CASR and applies to CFM International Turbine Engines - CFM56 Series engines. The instrument commences 14 October 2026 and is automatically repealed under section 48A of the Legislation Act 2003.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 12 October 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
CASA Airworthiness Directives published between 25/09/2026 and 8/10/2026 (opens the official source in a new tab)
Source: Civil Aviation Safety Authority. CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
Part 101 (Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets) Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2026 (opens the official source in a new tab)
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 11 October 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
Part 42 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2026 (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts amended the Part 42 Manual of Standards under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 to give effect to a Technical Arrangement on Maintenance between Australia and the United Kingdom that commenced on 1 September 2026. The amendment specifies the United Kingdom as a country where maintenance organisations approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority may carry out maintenance on Australian aircraft and aeronautical products outside Australia, and permits authorised release certificates issued by maintenance organisations under UK legislation to be accepted.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 11 October 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
New Chair to lead Aviation Australia (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Queensland Government has appointed Mark Xavier as Chair of Aviation Australia. Xavier is Managing Director of V-TOL Aerospace Pty Limited and Australian Unmanned Systems Academy Pty Limited, with experience in drone technology, robotics, artificial intelligence and specialist aviation training. He replaces outgoing Chair Elsa Dalessio. The appointment aims to support development of Queensland's aviation and aerospace workforce.
(c) State of Queensland. Source: statements.qld.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0
Aerotropolis investment soars to $34.6 billion (opens the official source in a new tab)
(c) State of New South Wales. For current information go to www.nsw.gov.au