Airports (Control of On-Airport Activities) Regulations 2026
In ForceCTH
Jurisdiction
Commonwealth
Collection
legislative instrument
Plain English Summary
8/10 complexity
This Regulation centralises Commonwealth control of on‑airport activities—liquor, trading, gambling, smoking, vehicle movement/parking and enforcement—by prescribing additional airports, modifying how State rules operate on airport land, and creating a Commonwealth permits, infringement and enforcement framework.
It chiefly affects airport‑operator companies (new powers/responsibilities), on‑airport businesses (changed licensing and gambling limits), drivers/vehicle owners (new parking/airside offences) and enforcement officers; it matters because it shifts regulatory authority, creates compliance burdens and concentrates operational and financial roles at airports.
This instrument, the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 2026, replaces the previous 1997 Regulations and re‑frames Commonwealth regulation of on‑airport activities at activity‑controlled airports. It commences 1 April 2026 (reg 2) and is made under the Airports Act 1996 (reg 3). Mechanically, it does the following:
Prescribes additional airports to which Part 11 of the Airports Act applies (reg 5), and defines the class of “activity‑controlled airport” as core regulated airports or those listed in reg 5, subject to there being an airport lease (reg 6).
Replaces and modifies the Commonwealth regulatory framework for liquor, commercial trading, vehicle parking and movement (landside and airside), gambling, smoking, and infringement notice processes on activity‑controlled airports (Parts 2-7).
Applies the Australian Road Rules Part 12 to the landside of specified airports (reg 30), while displacing certain state road rule provisions within landside areas (reg 31).
Establishes Commonwealth‑level rules for airside vehicle operation and parking, including Authority to Drive Airside (ADA) and Authority for Use Airside (AUA) regimes, with issuance criteria tied to each airport’s Airside Vehicle Control Handbook (regs 50-56).
Creates federal controls over gambling at most activity‑controlled airports, prohibiting gambling except under a Commonwealth gambling permission or continued old authorities and removing the direct application of State gambling laws at airports while making compliance with some State rules a condition of permission where appropriate (regs 66-71, 67).
Modifies how State liquor and trading laws apply at activity‑controlled airports by prescribing tailored adjustments in Schedule 2 and Parts 2 and 3 (regs 8-17, 19-23, Schedule 2).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Airports (Control of On-Airport Activities) Regulations 2026.
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New South Wales—modified application of Retail Trading Act
19 New South Wales—modified application of Retail Trading Act
Section 4 of the Retail Trading Act 2008 (NSW) does not apply to a shop predominantly used for consumer trading that is located on Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport or Sydney West Airport.
20 Victoria—modified application of Shop Trading Reform Act
A shop predominantly used for consumer trading that is located on Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport is taken to be an exempt shop for the purposes of the Shop Trading Reform Act 1996 (Vic.).
21 Queensland—Trading (Allowable Hours) Act does not apply
The Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (Qld) does not apply to a shop predominantly used for consumer trading that is located on Brisbane Airport, Gold Coast Airport, Townsville Airport or Archerfield Airport.
22 Western Australia—Retail Trading Hours Act does not apply
The Retail Trading Hours Act 1987 (WA) does not apply to a shop predominantly used for consumer trading that is located on Perth Airport.
23 South Australia—Shop Trading Hours Act does not apply
The Shop Trading Hours Act 1977 (SA) does not apply to a shop predominantly used for consumer trading that is located in the terminal area of Adelaide Airport or Parafield Airport.
Part 4—Vehicles
Division 1—Preliminary
24
Purposes of Part
24 Purposes of Part
This Part is made for the purposes of sections 172 and 177 of the Act.
25 Meaning of authorised person
A reference to an authorised person for an airport in, or in relation to, a provision in this Part means a person appointed by the Secretary as an authorised person for the airport for the purposes of the provision.
Note: See sections 41, 48 and 61 for who the Secretary may appoint as an authorised person.
Division 2—Landside vehicle parking and operation
26 Airports to which this Division applies
This Division applies to the following airports:
(a) Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport;
(b) Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport;
(c) Brisbane Airport;
(d) Perth Airport;
(e) Gold Coast Airport;
(f) Hobart International Airport;
(g) Launceston Airport;
(h) Townsville Airport.
27 Definitions
In this instrument:
parking control provision means:
(a) a provision in Part 12 of the Australian Road Rules, as applied by section 30; or
(b) section 35 of this instrument.
28 Parking signage plan
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport must have a parking signage plan for the airport which describes:
(a) the landside areas of the airport where offences under sections 34 and 35 apply; and
(b) the traffic control devices used on the landside areas of the airport to identify areas where those offences apply.
(2) The airport‑operator company must give the Secretary a copy of the parking signage plan:
(a) within 10 business days after the beginning of each financial year; and
(b) as soon as practicable after the parking signage plan is varied at any other time of year.
(3) As soon as practicable after the parking signage plan is given to the Secretary, the airport‑operator company must also:
(a) publish the plan on the airport’s website; and
(b) give a copy of the plan to:
(i) the Australian Federal Police; and
(ii) the police force or service of the State in which the airport is located.
(4) If there is more than one airport‑operator company for the airport, a requirement in this section only needs to be met by one company.
29 Standard operating procedures for parking
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport must have standard operating procedures in relation to landside vehicles at the airport which set out the following:
(a) the powers of authorised persons for the airport under this Division, and procedures designed to ensure that authorised persons exercise those powers in a suitable manner;
(b) policies for dealing with people who park or use a vehicle on the landside of the airport, including:
(i) the rights and obligations of those people in relation to parking or using a vehicle on the landside of the airport; and
(ii) processes for managing compliance by those people with those obligations (other than issuing infringement notices); and
(iii) procedures for dealing with complaints from those people about parking or using a vehicle on the landside of the airport;
(c) the procedures to be followed for issuing an infringement notice for an offence against a provision in this Division, payment and collection of the penalty in a notice, and withdrawing a notice;
(d) the procedures to be followed in relation to moving a vehicle under section 38.
(2) The airport‑operator company must give the Secretary a copy of the standard operating procedures within 10 business days after the beginning of each financial year.
(3) If there is more than one airport‑operator company for the airport, a requirement in this section only needs to be met by one company.
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Application of Australian Road Rules
30 Application of Australian Road Rules
(1) Part 12 of the Australian Road Rules (Restrictions on stopping and parking) applies in relation to the landside of an airport.
(2) Other provisions of the Australian Road Rules apply in relation to the landside of an airport to the extent that they relate to the provisions in Part 12.
Examples: Part 19 of the Australian Road Rules provides exemptions from provisions (such as for emergency vehicles and police vehicles), Part 20 provides for the form and application of traffic signs including parking signs, and the Dictionary defines the meaning of terms used in Part 12.
(3) However, for the purposes of the application of the Australian Road Rules, vehicle has the same meaning as in subsection 172(2) of the Act.
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Operation of State laws on stopping and parking
31 Operation of State laws on stopping and parking
For the purposes of subsection 177(2) of the Act:
(a) Part 12 of the Road Rules 2014 (NSW) has no effect within the landside of Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport or Gold Coast Airport; and
(b) Part 12 of the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (Vic.) has no effect within the landside of Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport; and
(c) Part 12 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 (Qld) has no effect within the landside of Brisbane Airport, Gold Coast Airport or Townsville Airport; and
(d) Part 12 of the Road Traffic Code 2000 (WA) has no effect within the landside of Perth Airport; and
(e) Part 12 of the Road Rules 2019 (Tas.) has no effect within the landside of Hobart International Airport or Launceston Airport.
32 Installation of traffic control devices
(1) Subject to this section, an airport‑operator company for an airport may install a traffic control device on the landside of the airport only if the device complies substantially with the Australian Road Rules (within the meaning of rule 316 of those Rules).
(2) An airport‑operator company for an airport may install a traffic control device to indicate that taxi drivers must not leave their taxis unattended in a taxi zone on the landside of the airport.
Note: The Australian Road Rules do not provide for this kind of traffic control device.
(3) In circumstances in which there is a likelihood of loss or injury, or of interference with the normal flow of traffic, an airport‑operator company for an airport may install traffic control devices on the landside of the airport to avoid the loss, injury or interference.
(4) A traffic control device must be installed in a way that prominently and clearly identifies the area to which the device applies.
33 Permits to stop a vehicle in a permit zone
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport may issue a permit for a vehicle to stop in a permit zone on the landside of the airport.
(2) The permit must be issued in writing and in a form that can be displayed on or in a vehicle.
34
Offences against Australian Road Rules on stopping and parking
34 Offences against Australian Road Rules on stopping and parking
(1) A person who is on the landside of an airport commits an offence of strict liability if the person contravenes an offence provision in Part 12 of the Australian Road Rules.
(2) The offence is punishable on conviction by a penalty not exceeding the number of penalty units mentioned in Schedule 1 in relation to the offence provision contravened and the airport at which the contravention occurs.
35 Taxi driver must not leave taxi unattended in certain areas
(1) The driver of a taxi commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) a traffic control device applying to a taxi zone on the landside of an airport indicates that taxis must not be left unattended in that zone; and
(b) the taxi is in the taxi zone; and
(c) the driver leaves the taxi so that the driver is over 3 metres from the closest point of the taxi.
(2) An offence against subsection (1) is punishable on conviction by a penalty not exceeding the number of penalty units mentioned in the following table for the airport at which the offence occurs.
Penalty—leaving taxi unattended
Item Airport Number of penalty units
1 Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport 3
2 Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport 3
3 Brisbane Airport 3
4 Perth Airport 3
5 Gold Coast Airport 3
6 Hobart International Airport 2
7 Launceston Airport 2
8 Townsville Airport 2
36
Drivers of taxis, hire vehicles and public buses to show authority cards
36 Drivers of taxis, hire vehicles and public buses to show authority cards
A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person is driving a taxi, hire vehicle or public bus on the landside of an airport; and
(b) the operation of such a vehicle is regulated in the State where the airport is located; and
(c) an authorised person for the airport asks the driver to show the authorised person evidence of the driver’s authority to operate the taxi, hire vehicle or public bus; and
(d) the authorised person has shown the driver evidence of the authorised person’s identity; and
(e) the driver does not produce evidence of the driver’s authority to operate the taxi, hire vehicle or public bus.
Penalty: 3 penalty units.
37 Authorised person may direct that vehicle be moved
(1) An authorised person for an airport may direct a driver who contravenes a parking control provision on the landside of the airport to move the driver’s vehicle.
(2) If a taxi, or the driver of a taxi, is causing interference with the operation of a taxi zone on the landside of an airport, an authorised person for the airport may direct the driver of the taxi to move the taxi.
(3) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person is driving a vehicle on the landside of an airport; and
(b) an authorised person for the airport gives the person a direction under subsection (1) or (2); and
(c) the person does not comply with the direction.
Penalty: 3 units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the vehicle is an emergency or police vehicle.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection: see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
38 Authorised person may move vehicle
Circumstances in which vehicle may be moved
(1) An authorised person for an airport may, with whatever assistance is reasonably necessary, move a vehicle on the landside of the airport to a place within the airport designated for the purpose by an airport‑operator company for the airport if:
(a) either:
(i) the vehicle is used in contravention of a parking control provision and the driver of the vehicle cannot be found within a reasonable time; or
(ii) the driver of the vehicle fails to comply with a direction under subsection 37(1) or (2); and
(b) the authorised person considers that the vehicle is causing interference with the normal flow of traffic, a permit zone on the landside of the airport or the operation of the airport.
(2) An authorised person for an airport may also move a vehicle to the place designated for the purpose if the vehicle appears to be abandoned on the landside of the airport.
Notice that vehicle has been moved
(3) If an authorised person for an airport moves a vehicle under subsection (1) on the basis that the driver of the vehicle cannot be found, or moves a vehicle under subsection (2), the authorised person must, as soon as practicable after moving the vehicle:
(a) give the vehicle registration authority for the State in which the vehicle is registered (if known) a notice in writing that:
(i) identifies the vehicle; and
(ii) states that the vehicle has been moved, and how it can be retrieved; and
(b) take other reasonable steps to find the driver or registered owner of the vehicle and tell the driver or owner:
(i) that the vehicle has been moved, and how it can be retrieved; and
(ii) that the vehicle may only be retrieved by the owner or a person acting for the owner.
(4) A vehicle registration authority for a State that receives a notice under paragraph (3)(a) may, in accordance with the laws of the State, inform the registered owner of the vehicle of the matters set out in the notice.
No liability for loss or damage
(5) An authorised person for an airport who moves a vehicle under this section, any person who assists the authorised person to do so, and an airport‑operator company for the airport, are not liable for any loss of, or damage to, the vehicle that occurs:
(a) while it is being moved; or
(b) after it is moved and before it is retrieved by or for its owner.
39 Owner of vehicle must pay costs of storage etc.
(1) If a vehicle on the landside of an airport is moved under section 38, an airport‑operator company for the airport may recover from the owner of the vehicle costs reasonably incurred in moving and storing the vehicle.
(2) The costs may be recovered by action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(3) The airport‑operator company is not required to return the vehicle to the owner, or a person acting for the owner, if the costs have not been paid.
40 Airport‑operator company may dispose of vehicle
Authority to dispose of vehicle
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a vehicle on the landside of an airport is moved under section 38; and
(b) the vehicle has not been retrieved by or for the owner within 3 months after the day on which the vehicle was moved.
(2) An airport‑operator company for the airport must publish a notice, in a newspaper circulating generally in the State in which the airport is located, that the company intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the vehicle.
(3) The airport‑operator company may sell or otherwise dispose of the vehicle if the vehicle has not been retrieved by or for its owner within 14 days after the notice is published.
Consequences if vehicle is sold
(4) If the airport‑operator company sells the vehicle, the airport‑operator company must, as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year in which the sale occurs, give the Commonwealth the proceeds of the sale less the costs reasonably incurred in moving, storing and selling the vehicle.
(5) If the airport‑operator company sells the vehicle, and the person who was the owner of the vehicle immediately before the sale makes a claim in relation to the vehicle to the airport‑operator company, the airport‑operator company must pay to the person an amount equal to the proceeds of the sale less the costs reasonably incurred in moving, storing and selling the vehicle.
(6) If the airport‑operator company pays an amount in relation to a claim under subsection (5) and provides evidence of the claim to the Commonwealth, then:
(a) if the airport‑operator company has not yet given the proceeds of the sale of the vehicle to the Commonwealth under subsection (4)—the airport‑operator company is not required to give the proceeds; and
(b) if the airport‑operator company has given the proceeds of the sale of the vehicle to the Commonwealth under subsection (4)—the Commonwealth must pay to the airport‑operator company an amount equal to the amount that was given under subsection (4).
(7) Any other right in relation to the vehicle that was vested in a person before the sale ceases to exist at the time of the sale.
41 Who can be appointed as authorised person
The Secretary may appoint any of the following as an authorised person for an airport for the purposes of a provision in this Division:
(a) an employee of the Department;
(b) a member, special member, protective service officer or special protective service officer of the Australian Federal Police;
(c) a person authorised under the law of a State to prosecute offences related to the parking of vehicles;
(d) an employee of an airport‑operator company, or of a contractor or subcontractor of an airport‑operator company;
(e) an individual engaged by an airport‑operator company as a contractor, or who is a subcontractor of a contractor of an airport‑operator company;
(f) any other individual the Secretary considers to be appropriately qualified or experienced to exercise powers under the provision.
Division 3—Airside vehicle parking
42
Airports to which this Division applies
42 Airports to which this Division applies
This Division applies to all activity‑controlled airports.
43
Areas with parking restrictions
43 Areas with parking restrictions
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport may designate an area on the airside of the airport as:
(a) an area in which parking is not permitted (a no‑parking area); or
(b) an area in which parking is only permitted at certain times, or for particular purposes or when particular conditions are met (a limited‑parking area).
(2) The airport‑operator company must ensure that a designated area is prominently and clearly marked as a no‑parking area or limited‑parking area (by a sign, lines or some other method).
(3) The marking of the area must clearly indicate:
(a) for a no‑parking area—that a vehicle must not be parked in the area; or
(b) for a limited‑parking area—at what times, for what purposes, or under what conditions, a vehicle may be parked or must not be parked in the area.
(4) The designation of an area as a no‑parking area or a limited‑parking area is of no effect if it is not marked as required by subsections (2) and (3).
44 Areas with stopping restrictions
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport may designate an area on the airside of the airport as:
(a) an area in which stopping is not permitted (a no‑stopping area); or
(b) an area in which stopping is only permitted at certain times, or for particular purposes or when particular conditions are met (a limited‑stopping area).
(2) The airport‑operator company must ensure that a designated area is prominently and clearly marked as a no‑stopping area or limited‑stopping area (by a sign, lines or some other method).
(3) The marking of the area must clearly indicate:
(a) for a no‑stopping area—that a vehicle must not be stopped in the area; or
(b) for a limited‑stopping area—at what times, for what purposes, or under what conditions, a vehicle may be stopped or must not be stopped in the area.
(4) The designation of an area as a no‑stopping area or a limited‑stopping area is of no effect if it is not marked as required by subsections (2) and (3).
45 Offences—parking
(1) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person parks a vehicle in a marked no‑parking area.
Penalty: 3 penalty units.
(2) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person:
(a) parks a vehicle in a marked limited‑parking area at a time when, according to the marking of the area, parking in the area is not permitted; or
(b) parks a vehicle in a marked limited‑parking area for a purpose for which, according to the marking of the area, parking in the area is not permitted; or
(c) parks a vehicle in a marked limited‑parking area in a way that, according to the marking of the area, contravenes a condition of parking in the area.
Penalty: 3 penalty units.
(3) Subsection (1) or (2) does not apply if:
(a) the vehicle is an emergency or police vehicle; or
(b) the person who parked the vehicle is given permission by an authorised person for the airport to park the vehicle in the area.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in paragraph (a) or (b): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
46 Offences—stopping
(1) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person stops a vehicle in a marked no‑stopping area.
Penalty: 3 penalty units.
(2) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person:
(a) stops a vehicle in a marked limited‑stopping area at a time when, according to the marking of the area, stopping in the area is not permitted; or
(b) stops a vehicle in a marked limited‑stopping area for a purpose for which, according to the marking of the area, stopping in the area is not permitted; or
(c) stops a vehicle in a marked limited‑stopping area in a way that, according to the marking of the area, contravenes a condition of stopping in the area.
Penalty: 3 penalty units.
(3) Subsection (1) or (2) does not apply if:
(a) the vehicle is an emergency or police vehicle; or
(b) the person who stopped the vehicle is given permission by an authorised person for the airport to stop the vehicle in the area.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in paragraph (a) or (b): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
47 Authorised person may direct that a vehicle be moved
(1) An authorised person for an airport may direct the driver of a vehicle on the airside of the airport to move the vehicle if it is:
(a) parked in a no‑parking area; or
(b) parked in a limited‑parking area in circumstances when parking the vehicle is not permitted; or
(c) stopped in a no‑stopping area; or
(d) stopped in a limited‑stopping area in circumstances when stopping the vehicle is not permitted.
(2) A driver of a vehicle commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the driver is given a direction to move the vehicle under subsection (1); and
(b) the driver does not comply with the direction.
Penalty: 3 penalty units.
48
Who can be appointed as authorised person
48 Who can be appointed as authorised person
The Secretary may appoint any of the following as an authorised person for an airport for the purposes of a provision in this Division:
(a) an employee of the Department;
(b) a member, special member, protective service officer or special protective service officer of the Australian Federal Police;
(c) a person authorised under the law of a State to prosecute offences related to the parking of vehicles;
(d) an employee of an airport‑operator company, or of a contractor or subcontractor of an airport‑operator company;
(e) an individual engaged by an airport‑operator company as a contractor, or who is a subcontractor of a contractor of an airport‑operator company;
(f) any other individual the Secretary considers to be appropriately qualified or experienced to exercise powers under the provision.
Division 4—Airside vehicle operation
49 Airports to which this Division applies
This Division applies to all activity‑controlled airports.
50
References to Airside Vehicle Control Handbook
50 References to Airside Vehicle Control Handbook
A reference in this Division to the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for an airport is a reference to the Handbook as in force or existing from time to time.
51 Vehicles not to be driven on airside without permission or escort
(1) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person is driving a vehicle on the airside of an airport; and
(b) neither of the following applies:
(i) the person holds an ADA for the airport and the vehicle is the subject of an AUA for the airport;
(ii) the vehicle is escorted by a person authorised, in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport, to provide airside vehicle escort services.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person is driving a vehicle on the airside of an airport; and
(b) the vehicle is being escorted by another person authorised, in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport, to provide airside vehicle escort services; and
(c) the escort gives the person a direction in relation to driving the vehicle; and
(d) the person does not comply with the direction.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
52 Approved issuing authority
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport may, in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport, approve a person to issue ADAs or AUAs (or both) for the airport.
(2) The airport‑operator company may revoke the approval by giving the person notice in writing. The notice must be at least 7 days before the revocation takes effect.
53 Authority to Drive Airside
Application and issue
(1) A person may apply for an Authority to Drive Airside for an airport to:
(a) an airport‑operator company for the airport; or
(b) an approved issuing authority for ADAs for the airport.
(2) The application must be made in the way set out in the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport.
(3) The criteria to be applied by the airport‑operator company or approved issuing authority in deciding whether to issue an ADA for the airport are the criteria set out for that purpose in the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport.
(4) An approved issuing authority for an airport must not issue an ADA for the airport otherwise than in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport.
(5) An airport‑operator company or approved issuing authority that issues an ADA for an airport to a person must issue the person a card or other suitable evidence of the ADA.
Conditions
(6) An ADA for an airport is subject to the condition that the holder of the ADA must drive a vehicle on the airside of the airport in accordance with:
(a) the rules set out in the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport, including any rules regarding the use of radiocommunications equipment or other signalling equipment; and
(b) if the vehicle is the subject of an AUA—any conditions of the AUA; and
(c) any directions of an employee of an airport‑operator company for the airport.
(7) An ADA for an airport is subject to the condition that the holder shows evidence of the ADA to an employee of an airport‑operator company for the airport on demand.
(8) An ADA for an airport may be issued subject to any other conditions that an airport‑operator company for the airport thinks necessary.
(9) Without limiting the generality of subsection (8), the conditions may include a condition:
(a) that the holder of the ADA, or the holder’s employer, indemnify the airport‑operator company; or
(b) limiting the person’s right to operate a vehicle in particular places, at particular times, or in particular circumstances.
54
Withdrawal of Authority to Drive Airside
54 Withdrawal of Authority to Drive Airside
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport may withdraw a person’s ADA for the airport if the person drives a vehicle on the airside of the airport:
(a) other than in accordance with:
(i) the person’s ADA; or
(ii) the AUA for the vehicle (if any); or
(iii) the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport; or
(iv) a direction of an employee of an airport‑operator company for the airport; or
(b) in a manner likely to cause injury to a person or damage to property (including an aircraft or another vehicle).
(2) If an airport‑operator company for an airport is considering withdrawing a person’s ADA for the airport, it must, before making a decision, give the person a written notice:
(a) stating the reasons why the ADA may be withdrawn; and
(b) inviting the person to show cause why the ADA should not be withdrawn.
(3) If the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport sets out criteria to be applied in deciding whether or not to withdraw an ADA, the airport‑operator company must apply those criteria in making the decision.
(4) If an airport‑operator company for an airport withdraws a person’s ADA for the airport, it must give the person written notice of the withdrawal, and the reasons for the withdrawal, as soon as practicable.
55 Authority for Use Airside
Application and issue
(1) A person who owns or has the right to use a vehicle may apply to:
(a) an airport‑operator company for an airport; or
(b) an approved issuing authority for AUAs for an airport;
for an Authority for Use Airside for the airport in relation to the vehicle.
(2) The application must be made in the way set out in the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport.
(3) The criteria to be applied by the airport‑operator company or approved issuing authority in deciding whether to issue an AUA for the airport are the criteria set out for that purpose in the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport.
(4) An approved issuing authority for an airport must not issue an AUA for the airport in relation to a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport.
Conditions
(5) An AUA for an airport in relation to a vehicle is subject to the condition that the vehicle must be driven on the airside of the airport in accordance with:
(a) the rules set out in the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport, including any rules regarding the use of radio communications equipment or other signalling equipment; and
(b) any directions of an employee of an airport‑operator company for the airport.
(6) An AUA for an airport in relation to a vehicle may be issued subject to any other conditions that an airport‑operator company for the airport thinks necessary.
(7) Without limiting the generality of subsection (6), the conditions may include a condition:
(a) that the holder of the AUA indemnify the airport‑operator company; or
(b) limiting the operation of the vehicle to particular places, times, or circumstances.
56 Withdrawal of Authority for Use Airside
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport may withdraw the AUA for the airport in relation to a vehicle if the vehicle has been driven on the airside of the airport:
(a) other than in accordance with:
(i) the driver’s ADA (if any); or
(ii) the AUA for the vehicle; or
(iii) the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport; or
(iv) a direction of an employee of the airport‑operator company; or
(b) in a manner likely to cause injury to a person or damage to property (including an aircraft or another vehicle).
(2) If an airport‑operator company for an airport is considering withdrawing an AUA for the airport in relation to a vehicle, it must, before making a decision, give the holder of the AUA a written notice:
(a) stating the reasons why the AUA may be withdrawn; and
(b) inviting the holder to show cause why the AUA should not be withdrawn.
(3) If the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for the airport sets out criteria to be applied in deciding whether or not to withdraw an AUA for the airport in relation to a vehicle, the airport‑operator company must apply those criteria in making the decision.
(4) If an airport‑operator company for an airport withdraws the AUA for the airport in relation to a vehicle, it must give the holder of the AUA written notice of the withdrawal, and the reasons for the withdrawal, as soon as practicable.
57 Review of decisions
An application may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of any of the following decisions:
(a) a decision under section 53 to not issue an ADA for an airport to a person;
(b) a decision under section 53 to issue an ADA for an airport to a person subject to additional conditions;
(c) a decision under section 54 to withdraw a person’s ADA for an airport;
(d) a decision under section 55 to not issue an AUA for an airport in relation to a vehicle;
(e) a decision under section 55 to issue an AUA for an airport in relation to a vehicle subject to additional conditions;
(f) a decision under section 56 to withdraw an AUA for an airport in relation to a vehicle.
58
Driver of vehicle must show authority etc.
58 Driver of vehicle must show authority etc.
(1) An authorised person for an airport may direct the driver of a vehicle on the airside of the airport to show the authorised person any of the following:
(a) the driver’s ADA for the airport;
(b) the AUA for the vehicle for the airport;
(c) if the airport is a security controlled airport within the meaning of the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004—the driver’s ASIC within the meaning of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005;
(d) if the airport is not a security controlled airport and an identification document is approved or issued by an airport‑operator company for the airport—the driver’s identification document.
(2) A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person is driving a vehicle on the airside of an airport; and
(b) an authorised person for the airport gives the person a direction under subsection (1); and
(c) the person does not comply with the direction.
Penalty: 1 penalty unit.
59
Vehicles to be kept clear of aircraft
59 Vehicles to be kept clear of aircraft
(1) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person drives, stops or parks a vehicle within 3 metres of an aircraft.
Penalty: 3 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the vehicle:
(a) is of a kind normally used for servicing, refuelling, loading, unloading, towing or pushing an aircraft, and is being used to do so; or
(b) is an emergency or police vehicle being used in connection with an emergency on the aircraft or in the vicinity of the aircraft.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in paragraph (a) or (b): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.
60
Authorised person may direct that vehicle be moved or move vehicle
60 Authorised person may direct that vehicle be moved or move vehicle
(1) An authorised person for an airport may direct the driver of a vehicle on the airside of the airport to remove the vehicle from the airside, if the authorised person considers that:
(a) the vehicle is being driven, or is stopped or parked, in a manner that is likely to be a danger to a person or property (including other vehicles and aircraft); or
(b) the vehicle is likely to interfere with the operation of the airport.
(2) The driver of a vehicle on the airside of an airport commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) an authorised person for the airport gives the driver a direction under subsection (1); and
(b) the driver does not comply with the direction.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(3) An authorised person for an airport may, with whatever assistance is reasonably necessary, move a vehicle on the airside of the airport to a place within the airport designated for the purpose by an airport‑operator company for the airport if:
(a) the authorised person has power to give a direction under subsection (1) but the driver cannot be found; or
(b) the driver of the vehicle fails to comply with a direction under subsection (1).
61
Who can be appointed as authorised person
61 Who can be appointed as authorised person
The Secretary may appoint any of the following as an authorised person for an airport for the purposes of a provision in this Division:
(a) an employee of the Department;
(b) a member, special member, protective service officer or special protective service officer of the Australian Federal Police;
(c) a person authorised under the law of a State to prosecute offences related to the parking of vehicles;
(d) an employee of an airport‑operator company, or of a contractor or subcontractor of an airport‑operator company;
(e) an individual engaged by an airport‑operator company as a contractor, or who is a subcontractor of a contractor of an airport‑operator company;
(f) any other individual the Secretary considers to be appropriately qualified or experienced to exercise powers under the provision.
Division 5—Liability of owner of vehicle for offences
62
Liability of owner of vehicle for parking offences
62 Liability of owner of vehicle for parking offences
Owner presumed to be driver except in certain circumstances
(1) If a parking offence occurs at an airport in relation to a vehicle, the owner of the vehicle when the offence occurs is taken to have committed the offence as if the owner were the actual offender guilty of the offence, unless:
(a) the vehicle was, at the time of the offence, stolen or illegally taken or used; or
(b) subsection (2), (4) or (5) applies.
Declaration of known driver
(2) The owner of the vehicle is not taken to have committed the parking offence if:
(a) for an owner who is not a body corporate—within 14 days after service of an infringement notice or a summons for the offence, the owner makes, and gives to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the offence, a statutory declaration stating:
(i) that it is made for the purposes of this section; and
(ii) that the owner was not the driver of the vehicle at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(iii) the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time; or
(b) for an owner that is a body corporate—within 14 days after service of an infringement notice or a summons for the offence, a director, manager or secretary of the body corporate makes, and gives to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the offence, a statutory declaration stating:
(i) that it is made for the purposes of this section; and
(ii) that the vehicle was not being used for the purposes of the body corporate at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(iii) the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time.
Declaration of unknown driver
(3) If an infringement notice or summons has been served on the owner of a vehicle for a parking offence at an airport:
(a) for an owner who is not a body corporate—the owner may, within 14 days after service of the notice or summons, make, and give to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the offence, a statutory declaration stating:
(i) that it is made for the purposes of this section; and
(ii) that the owner was not the driver of the vehicle at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(iii) that the owner has not been able to find out who was the driver of the vehicle at that time; and
(iv) the nature of the enquiries made to find out the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time; or
(b) for an owner that is a body corporate—a director, manager or secretary of the body corporate may, within 14 days after service of the notice or summons, make, and give to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the offence, a statutory declaration stating:
(i) that it is made for the purposes this section; and
(ii) that, to the knowledge of the declarant, from the facts as set out in the declaration, the vehicle was not being used for the purposes of the body corporate at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(iii) that the body corporate has not been able to find out who was the driver of the vehicle at that time; and
(iv) the nature of the enquiries made to find out the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time.
(4) The notice authority for an airport in relation to offences against a provision must withdraw an infringement notice given to the owner of a vehicle in relation to an alleged parking offence at the airport against the provision if:
(a) for an owner that is not a body corporate—the notice authority is satisfied (whether on the statements contained in a statutory declaration made under paragraph (3)(a) or otherwise) that:
(i) the owner was not the driver of the vehicle at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(ii) the enquiries made by the owner to find out the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time were reasonable in the circumstances of the case and were carried out with due diligence; or
(b) for an owner that is a body corporate—the notice authority is satisfied (whether on the statements contained in a statutory declaration made under paragraph (3)(b) or otherwise) that:
(i) the vehicle was not being used for the purposes of the body corporate at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(ii) the enquiries made by the body corporate to find out the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time were reasonable in the circumstances of the case and were carried out with due diligence.
(5) At the hearing of a prosecution for a parking offence against the owner of a vehicle, the court must dismiss the charge if:
(a) for an owner who is not a body corporate—the court is satisfied (whether on the statements contained in a statutory declaration made under paragraph (3)(a) or otherwise) that:
(i) the owner was not the driver of the vehicle at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(ii) the enquiries made by the owner to find out the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time were reasonable in the circumstances of the case and were carried out with due diligence; or
(b) for an owner that is a body corporate—the court is satisfied (whether on the statements contained in a statutory declaration made under paragraph (3)(b) or otherwise) that:
(i) the vehicle was not being used for the purposes of the body corporate at the time the offence is alleged to have occurred; and
(ii) the enquiries made by the body corporate to find out the name and address of the person who was the driver of the vehicle at that time were reasonable in the circumstances of the case and were carried out with due diligence.
Other matters
(6) If a notice authority appointed by the Secretary under subsection 85(2) receives a statutory declaration under this section in relation to a parking offence for which a summons has been served, the notice authority must give a copy of the statutory declaration to the Secretary.
(7) At the hearing of a prosecution for a parking offence at an airport, a certificate issued by the notice authority for the airport stating that a person named in the certificate, or a director, manager or secretary of the body corporate named in the certificate, has not given the notice authority a statutory declaration under this section in relation to that offence is prima facie evidence of the matter so stated.
(8) A certificate that purports to have been issued by the notice authority is to be taken to have been so issued unless the contrary is proved.
(9) This section does not affect the liability of a person who actually committed the offence if the person was not the owner of the vehicle involved in the offence. However, if a penalty has been imposed on or recovered from any person for the offence, no further penalty may be imposed on or recovered from anyone else for the same offence.
63
Copy of statutory declaration to be served
63 Copy of statutory declaration to be served
(1) If a person is named in a statutory declaration given under subsection 62(2) as being the person who was the driver of the vehicle at the time of an alleged parking offence, a copy of the statutory declaration must:
(a) if an infringement notice for the offence is to be given to the person after the statutory declaration is given—be attached to the infringement notice when it is given; or
(b) if the person is to be prosecuted for the offence—be attached to the summons for the offence when it is served on the person.
(2) At a hearing of a prosecution for the offence against the person, the statutory declaration is prima facie evidence that the person was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence.
Part 5—Gambling
Division 1—Preliminary
64
Purposes of Part
64 Purposes of Part
This Part is made for the purposes of sections 173 and 177 of the Act.
65
Airports to which this Part applies
65 Airports to which this Part applies
This Part applies to all activity‑controlled airports except for the following:
(a) Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport;
(b) Sydney West Airport;
(c) Bankstown Airport;
(d) Camden Airport;
(e) Mount Isa Airport;
(f) Tennant Creek Airport.
Div 2
Regulation of gambling activity at airports
Division 2—Regulation of gambling activity at airports
66
Prohibition of gambling
66 Prohibition of gambling
A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) the person engages in a gambling activity at an airport; and
(b) the gambling activity was not engaged in in accordance with a gambling permission or an old gambling authority.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
67
State gambling laws not to apply
67 State gambling laws not to apply
(1) A law of a State that permits a gambling activity (whether or not subject to the obtaining of a licence or other permission) does not apply at an airport.
(2) A law of a State that regulates the conduct of a gambling activity does not apply at an airport of its own force.
(3) However, it is a condition of any gambling permission or old gambling authority that the permitted or authorised gambling activity must be engaged in in compliance with a law of a State that would, but for this section, apply to the activity, except to the extent that:
(a) the law requires a person to obtain a licence or permission for the activity; or
(b) the law requires a person to make a report or return about the activity; or
(c) the law is inconsistent with the other terms of the gambling permission or old gambling authority.
Div 3
Continuation of old gambling authority
Division 3—Continuation of old gambling authority
68
Old gambling authority continues to have effect
68 Old gambling authority continues to have effect
(1) Subject to subsection 67(3), an old gambling authority for a gambling activity at an airport continues to have effect according to its terms, including:
(a) the kind of gambling activity authorised; and
(b) restrictions on the gambling activity, such as the number and type of gaming machines permitted; and
(c) restrictions on when the gambling activity may be engaged in; and
(d) any other conditions on the way the gambling activity is engaged in; and
(e) terms as to when the old gambling authority ceases to be in effect.
(2) In this instrument:
old gambling authority means an authority to engage in a gambling activity at an airport that was given to a person by the former Federal Airports Corporation or the Commonwealth before an airport lease was first granted in respect of the airport site, however the authority is described and including an authority that is part of the terms of a lease or a licence.
Div 4
Permission to engage in gambling activity
Division 4—Permission to engage in gambling activity
69
Application for gambling permission
69 Application for gambling permission
(1) A person may apply to the Secretary, in writing, for permission to engage in a gambling activity at an airport, only if:
(a) the person currently holds a gambling permission for the gambling activity at the airport; or
(b) the person holds an old gambling authority for the gambling activity at the airport; or
(c) the person has purchased or is to purchase a business that includes engaging in the gambling activity at the airport, from a person that holds a gambling permission or an old gambling authority for the gambling activity at the airport; or
(d) the person has taken or is taking responsibility for administering a business that includes engaging in the gambling activity at the airport in accordance with a gambling permission or an old gambling authority, due to the person being the liquidator of a corporation, a trustee in bankruptcy, the executor of an estate or having a similar role.
(2) The application must include evidence that an airport‑operator company for the airport consents to the person engaging in the gambling activity at the airport.
(3) If paragraph (1)(c) or (d) applies, the application must include evidence that the person is eligible to make the application.
70
Decision on application
70 Decision on application
(1) If the Secretary receives an application for a gambling permission for a gambling activity at an airport made in accordance with section 69, the Secretary must decide:
(a) whether to grant the gambling permission to the applicant; and
(b) if the Secretary decides to grant the permission—the conditions that the permission is subject to.
(2) If the Secretary reasonably needs more information from the applicant to decide the application, the Secretary may ask the applicant in writing to provide the information. The request must state a reasonable time to provide the information.
(3) If the Secretary does not decide on the application within 30 days after receiving it, the Secretary is taken to have refused the application. However, the period of 30 days does not include any time between the Secretary making a request under subsection (2) and the applicant providing the requested information.
Factors in decision
(4) In deciding whether to grant a gambling permission for the gambling activity at the airport, the Secretary must have regard to the following:
(a) how permitting the gambling activity affects the amenity of the airport;
(b) the extent to which permitting the gambling activity is likely to result in social harm;
(c) any arrangements the applicant proposes to implement to engage in the gambling activity responsibly and to minimise harm;
(d) whether the applicant has engaged in a gambling activity at an airport that was not authorised by a gambling permission or an old gambling authority;
(e) whether the applicant has engaged in a gambling activity at an airport in a way that was not in accordance with the terms of a gambling permission or an old gambling authority;
(f) whether the applicant has breached a condition of a gambling permission or an old gambling authority;
(g) whether the applicant has breached a State law relating to gambling and, if so, the nature of the breach.
(5) In deciding the conditions that the gambling permission is subject to, the Secretary must:
(a) consider whether it is appropriate to impose different conditions on the permission from the conditions that applied to the previous gambling permission or old gambling authority for the activity at the airport mentioned in subsection 69(1); and
(b) in considering that question, have regard to the matters mentioned in subsection (4) of this section.
(6) The Secretary may have regard to any other matter that the Secretary considers relevant when making a decision under this section.
Conditions
(7) Without limiting the conditions that the Secretary may impose on a gambling permission for a gambling activity at an airport, the Secretary may:
(a) impose any of the conditions that applied to the previous gambling permission or old gambling authority for the activity at the airport mentioned in subsection 69(1); or
(b) limit or specify the times or days during which the gambling activity may be engaged in; or
(c) limit the amount of the gambling activity (for example, by limiting the number or type of gaming machines that may be operated); or
(d) require the holder of the permission to exclude kinds of people from the gambling activity, such as children; or
(e) impose requirements relating to prizes or returns to players.
Note: See also subsection 67(3), which imposes a condition that applies to all gambling permissions.
(8) However, the Secretary must not impose a condition requiring the gambling activity to be engaged in at particular premises at the airport.
Reasons for decision
(9) The Secretary must give the applicant notice in writing of a decision under this section.
(10) The Secretary must also give the applicant a statement of reasons for:
(a) a decision not to grant a gambling permission; or
(b) a decision to grant a gambling permission subject to a condition that was not imposed on the previous permission or authority mentioned in subsection 69(1).
71
Terms of granted permission
71 Terms of granted permission
(1) If the Secretary decides to grant a gambling permission to a person for a gambling activity at an airport, the Secretary must give the permission to the person in writing.
(2) The permission must:
(a) specify the gambling activity that may be engaged in; and
(b) specify the airport at which the gambling activity may be engaged in; and
(c) state when the permission commences and when it ceases to be in effect; and
(d) set out the conditions that apply to the activity.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(d), the permission:
(a) must refer to the condition imposed by subsection 67(3); and
(b) may specify a State law that does not need to be complied with when engaging in the permitted gambling activity.
(4) The period that the permission will be in effect must not be more than 5 years.
(5) A gambling permission is not transferable.
72
Review of decisions
72 Review of decisions
(1) An application may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of a decision under subsection 70(1) not to grant a gambling permission for a gambling activity at an airport.
(2) An application may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of a decision under subsection 70(1) to grant a gambling permission for a gambling activity at an airport subject to a condition that was not imposed on the previous permission or authority for the activity at the airport mentioned in subsection 69(1).
Div 5
Cancellation and suspension of permissions and authorities
Division 5—Cancellation and suspension of permissions and authorities
73
Cancellation due to breach—show cause notice and possible suspension
73 Cancellation due to breach—show cause notice and possible suspension
Show cause notice
(1) The Secretary may give a show cause notice to the holder of a gambling permission or old gambling authority for a gambling activity at an airport, if the Secretary reasonably believes that:
(a) the holder has engaged in a gambling activity that is not authorised by the permission or authority; or
(b) the holder has engaged in a gambling activity in a way that is not in accordance with the terms of the permission or authority; or
(c) the holder has breached a condition of the permission or authority; or
(d) for a gambling permission—the application for the permission, or a document or statement supplied in support of the application or in response to a request for further information, was false or misleading in a material particular.
(2) The Secretary may also suspend the gambling permission or old gambling authority if the Secretary reasonably considers that the breach forming the grounds for the show cause notice is sufficiently serious to justify suspension.
(3) The show cause notice must:
(a) state the grounds on which the notice is given; and
(b) if the permission or authority is suspended—state that it is suspended; and
(c) invite the holder of the permission or authority to give the Secretary, within a reasonable period stated in the notice, a written statement showing cause why the permission or authority should not be cancelled.
Period of suspension
(4) If a show cause notice states that a gambling permission or an old gambling authority is suspended, the suspension commences when the show cause notice is given to the holder.
(5) The suspension may be revoked by the Secretary at any time, and the Secretary must give the holder written notice of the revocation.
(6) If the suspension has not been revoked, it ends 90 days after the day on which it commenced.
74
Decision on cancellation
74 Decision on cancellation
(1) The Secretary must, after giving the holder of a gambling permission or old gambling authority for a gambling activity at an airport a show cause notice under section 73 and considering any written statement given by the holder in accordance with the show cause notice, decide whether to cancel the permission or authority.
(2) The Secretary may decide to cancel the permission or authority if the Secretary is satisfied that:
(a) the holder has engaged in a gambling activity that is not authorised by the permission or authority; or
(b) the holder has engaged in a gambling activity in a way that is not in accordance with the terms of the permission or authority; or
(c) the holder has breached a condition of the permission or authority; or
(d) for a gambling permission—the application for the permission, or a document or statement supplied in support of the application or in response to a request for further information, was false or misleading in a material particular.
(3) If the Secretary suspended the permission or authority under section 73 and then decides not to cancel the permission or authority, the Secretary must revoke the suspension.
(4) The Secretary must give the holder of the permission or authority notice in writing of a decision under this section.
(5) The Secretary must also give the holder a statement of reasons for a decision to cancel the permission or authority.
75
Cancellation at request of holder
75 Cancellation at request of holder
(1) The Secretary must cancel a gambling permission or old gambling authority for a gambling activity at an airport if the holder of the permission or authority makes a request in writing for it to be cancelled.
(2) The cancellation takes effect when the request is given to the Secretary or, if a later day is stated in the request, on the stated day.
76
Review of decisions
76 Review of decisions
An application may be made to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of a decision under section 74 to cancel a gambling permission or old gambling authority for a gambling activity at an airport.
Part 6—Smoking
77
Purposes of Part
77 Purposes of Part
This Part is made for the purposes of section 174 of the Act.
78
Airports to which this Part applies
78 Airports to which this Part applies
This Part applies to all activity‑controlled airports except Mount Isa Airport and Tennant Creek Airport.
79
No‑smoking areas
79 No‑smoking areas
(1) An airport‑operator company for an airport may designate an area of the airport as an area in which smoking is not permitted (a no‑smoking area).
(2) The airport‑operator company must ensure that the area is marked by a prominent sign bearing the words “No Smoking”.
(3) The designation of the area as a no‑smoking area is of no effect if it is not marked as required by subsection (2).
80
Offence—smoking
80 Offence—smoking
A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person smokes in a marked no‑smoking area.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
81
Infringement officers
81 Infringement officers
The Secretary may appoint any of the following as an infringement officer for an airport for the purposes of section 80:
(a) an employee of the Department;
(b) a member, special member, protective service officer or special protective service officer of the Australian Federal Police;
(c) an employee of an airport‑operator company, or of a contractor or subcontractor of an airport‑operator company;
(d) an individual engaged by an airport‑operator company as a contractor, or who is a subcontractor of a contractor of an airport‑operator company;
(e) any other individual the Secretary considers to be appropriately qualified or experienced to exercise the powers of an infringement officer under Part 7 of this instrument.
Part 7—Infringement notices
82
Purposes of Part
82 Purposes of Part
This Part is made for the purposes of section 176 of the Act.
83
Provisions subject to infringement notices
83 Provisions subject to infringement notices
The following provisions of this instrument are subject to an infringement notice:
(a) a provision in Part 4, contravention of which constitutes an offence of strict liability;
(b) a provision in Part 6, contravention of which constitutes an offence of strict liability.
84
Meaning of infringement officer
84 Meaning of infringement officer
(1) A person is an infringement officer for the purposes of exercising powers under this Part in relation to an offence against a provision of this instrument at an airport if:
(a) for a provision in Part 4—the person is an authorised person for the airport for the purposes of the provision; or
(b) for a provision in Part 6—the person is an infringement officer for the airport for the purposes of the provision.
(2) A person who is an infringement officer for the purposes of exercising powers mentioned in subsection (1) is also an infringement officer for the purposes of:
(a) exercising other powers under this Part; or
(b) performing functions or duties under this Part;
that are incidental to the powers mentioned in subsection (1).
85
Meaning of notice authority
85 Meaning of notice authority
(1) For the purposes of exercising powers under this Part in relation to an offence against a provision of this instrument at an airport, the notice authority is:
(a) the Secretary; or
(b) if the Secretary has appointed an airport‑operator company for the airport under subsection (2) as the notice authority for the airport in relation to offences against provisions in the Division or Part containing the provision—the airport‑operator company.
(2) The Secretary may appoint an airport‑operator company for an airport as the notice authority for the airport in relation to offences against provisions in a Division or Part of this instrument, if the Secretary is satisfied:
(a) the airport‑operator company has the capability to carry out the functions of a notice authority for infringement notices given in relation to offences at the airport against provisions in the Division or Part; and
(b) there are appropriate arrangements in place for the management of amounts paid under such infringement notices that the airport‑operator company receives on behalf of the Commonwealth.
(3) A person who is a notice authority for the purposes of exercising powers in relation to an offence against a provision of this instrument at an airport is also a notice authority for the purposes of:
(a) exercising other powers under this Part or Division 5 of Part 4; or
(b) performing functions or duties under this Part or Division 5 of Part 4;
that are incidental to those powers.
Note: Division 5 of Part 4 includes provisions relating to infringement notices for parking offences.
86
When an infringement notice may be given
86 When an infringement notice may be given
(1) If an infringement officer reasonably believes that a person has committed an offence against a provision that is subject to an infringement notice, the infringement officer may give the person an infringement notice for the alleged offence.
(2) The infringement notice must be given within 12 months after the day on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.
(3) A single infringement notice must relate only to a single contravention of a single provision.
87
Matters to be included in an infringement notice
87 Matters to be included in an infringement notice
(1) An infringement notice must:
(a) be identified by a unique number; and
(b) state the day on which it is given; and
(c) either:
(i) state the name of the person to whom the notice is given; or
(ii) if the alleged offence is a parking offence—include information that identifies the vehicle to which the offence relates; and
(d) include information that identifies the infringement officer giving the notice (by including the officer’s name, identification number, signature or similar) and that indicates the officer is authorised to issue the infringement notice; and
(e) give brief details of the alleged offence to which the notice relates, including:
(i) the provision that was allegedly contravened; and
(ii) the maximum penalty that a court could impose for the offence, if the provision was contravened; and
(iii) the time (if known) and day of, and the place of, the alleged offence; and
(f) state the amount that is payable under the notice; and
(g) give an explanation of how payment of the amount is to be made; and
(h) state that, if the person to whom the notice is given pays the amount within 28 days after the day the notice is given, then (unless the notice is withdrawn), the person will not be liable to be prosecuted in court for the alleged offence; and
(i) state that payment of the amount is not an admission of guilt or liability; and
(j) state that the person may apply to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the alleged offence to have the period in which to pay the amount extended; and
(k) state that the person may choose not to pay the amount and, if the person does so, the person may be prosecuted in a court for the alleged offence; and
(l) set out how the notice can be withdrawn; and
(m) state that if the notice is withdrawn, the person may be prosecuted in a court for the alleged offence; and
(n) state that the person may make written representations to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the alleged offence seeking the withdrawal of the notice; and
(o) if the alleged offence is a parking offence—state that the owner of the vehicle to which the offence relates may, if the owner was not the driver, give a statutory declaration to that effect to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the alleged offence, within 14 days after the notice is given.
(2) The amount to be stated in the notice for the purposes of paragraph (1)(f) is one‑fifth of the maximum penalty that a court could impose on the person for the alleged offence.
88
Service of infringement notices
88 Service of infringement notices
Individuals
(1) An infringement officer may give an infringement notice to an individual by:
(a) delivering it to the individual personally; or
(b) leaving it at, or sending it by post to, the address of the place of residence or business of the individual that is last known to the infringement officer; or
(c) giving it, at the place of residence or business of the individual that is last known to the infringement officer, to another person who is, or is reasonably believed by the infringement officer to be, above the age of 16 years and apparently an occupant of the residence or employed at the business.
Bodies corporate
(2) An infringement officer may give an infringement notice to a body corporate by:
(a) sending it by post to the head office, registered office, principal office or other postal address of the body corporate; or
(b) giving it to a person at the head office, registered office, principal office or other place of business of the body corporate who is, or is reasonably believed by the infringement officer to be:
(i) an officer of the body corporate or in the service of the body corporate; and
(ii) above the age of 16 years.
Additional rules
(3) An infringement notice for a parking offence may also be given to the owner of a vehicle by securely placing the notice on the vehicle in a conspicuous position.
Note: For the presumption that the owner of a vehicle is the driver of the vehicle, see section 62.
(4) An infringement notice for an offence against a provision in Part 4 (Vehicles) may also be given to the owner of a registered vehicle by sending it by post to the address of the owner in the record of registration of the vehicle.
(5) If a person is named in a statutory declaration under subsection 62(2) in relation to a parking offence, an infringement notice for the offence may also be given to the person by sending it by post to the address stated in the statutory declaration.
Note: Subsection 63(1) requires that a copy of the statutory declaration be attached to the infringement notice when it is given to the person.
89
Extension of time to pay amount
89 Extension of time to pay amount
(1) A person to whom an infringement notice has been given in relation to an alleged offence at an airport may apply to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the offence for an extension of the period referred to in paragraph 87(1)(h).
(2) The notice authority may, in writing, extend the period referred to in paragraph 87(1)(h):
(a) on an application made under subsection (1) before the end of that period; or
(b) on the notice authority’s own initiative.
(3) The notice authority may extend the period before or after the end the period.
(4) If the notice authority extends the period, a reference in this Part, or in a notice or instrument under this Part, to the period referred to in paragraph 87(1)(h) is taken to be a reference to that period so extended.
(5) If the notice authority does not extend the period following an application made under subsection (1), a reference in this Part, or in a notice or instrument under this Part, to the period referred to in paragraph 87(1)(h) is taken to be a reference to the period that ends on the later of the following days:
(a) the day that is the last day of the period referred to in paragraph 87(1)(h);
(b) the day that is 7 days after the day the person was given notice of the notice authority’s decision not to extend.
(6) The notice authority may extend the period more than once under subsection (2).
90
Withdrawal of an infringement notice
90 Withdrawal of an infringement notice
Representations seeking withdrawal of notice
(1) A person to whom an infringement notice has been given in relation to an alleged offence at an airport may make written representations to the notice authority for the airport in relation to the alleged offence seeking the withdrawal of the notice.
Withdrawal of notice
(2) The notice authority for an airport in relation to offences against a provision may withdraw an infringement notice given to a person for an alleged offence at the airport against the provision, whether or not the person has made written representations seeking the withdrawal.
(3) When deciding whether or not to withdraw an infringement notice (the relevant infringement notice), the notice authority in relation to the alleged offence for which the notice was issued:
(a) must take into account any written representations seeking the withdrawal that were given by the person to the notice authority; and
(b) may take into account the following:
(i) the circumstances of the alleged offence;
(ii) whether a court has previously imposed a penalty on the person for an offence against a provision subject to an infringement notice;
(iii) whether the person has paid an amount, stated in an earlier infringement notice, for commission of an alleged offence if the previous alleged offence is constituted by conduct that is the same, or substantially the same, as the conduct alleged to constitute the offence in the relevant infringement notice;
(iv) any other matter the notice authority considers relevant.
(4) Notice of the withdrawal of the infringement notice must be given to the person. The withdrawal notice must state:
(a) the person’s name and address; and
(b) the day the infringement notice was given; and
(c) the identifying number of the infringement notice; and
(d) that the infringement notice is withdrawn; and
(e) that the person may be prosecuted in a court for the alleged offence.
(5) The notice of withdrawal may be given to the person in any way that the infringement notice could have been given under section 88, other than as provided in subsection 88(3).
Refund of amount if infringement notice withdrawn
(6) If:
(a) the notice authority withdraws the infringement notice; and
(b) the person has already paid the amount stated in the notice;
the notice authority must, on behalf of the Commonwealth, refund to the person an amount equal to the amount paid.
91
Effect of payment of amount
91 Effect of payment of amount
(1) If the person to whom an infringement notice for an alleged offence is given pays the amount stated in the notice before the end of the period referred to in paragraph 87(1)(h):
(a) any liability of the person for the alleged offence is discharged; and
(b) the person will not be liable to be prosecuted in a court for the alleged offence; and
(c) the person is not regarded as having admitted guilt or liability for the alleged offence; and
(d) the person is not regarded as having been convicted of the offence.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the notice has been withdrawn.
92
Evidentiary matters
92 Evidentiary matters
(1) The notice authority for an airport in relation to offences against a provision of this instrument may issue a certificate that states any of the following in relation to an infringement notice given to a person for an alleged offence against the provision at the airport:
(a) that the amount payable under the infringement notice was not paid by the person within the time specified in the notice;
(b) that an extension of time for the person to pay the amount payable under the infringement notice was granted or that an extension was refused;
(c) that the amount payable under the infringement notice was not paid by the person within the period specified in an extension of time;
(d) that the infringement notice was withdrawn on a day specified in the certificate.
(2) At the hearing of a prosecution for an offence for which an infringement notice has been issued, a certificate issued by the notice authority in relation to the offence in accordance with subsection (1) is prima facie evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.
(3) A certificate that purports to have been issued by a notice authority is taken to have been so issued unless the contrary is proved.
93
Effect of this Part
93 Effect of this Part
This Part does not:
(a) require an infringement notice to be given to a person for an alleged offence; or
(b) affect the liability of a person for an offence if:
(i) the person does not comply with an infringement notice given to the person for the offence; or
(ii) an infringement notice is not given to the person for the offence; or
(iii) an infringement notice is given to the person for the offence and is subsequently withdrawn; or
(c) prevent the giving of 2 or more infringement notices to a person for an alleged commission of an offence; or
(d) limit a court’s discretion to determine the amount of a penalty to be imposed on a person who is found to have committed an offence.
Part 8—Miscellaneous
94
Delegation by Secretary
94 Delegation by Secretary
(1) The Secretary may, in writing, delegate to an SES employee, or acting SES employee, in the Department one or more of the Secretary’s functions or powers under this instrument.
Note: Sections 34AA to 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 contain provisions relating to delegations.
(2) In performing a delegated function or exercising a delegated power, the delegate must comply with any written directions of the Secretary.
(3) The Secretary may, in writing, give directions for the purposes of subsection (2).
Part 9—Application, saving and transitional provisions
Div 1
Transitional provisions on commencement
Division 1—Transitional provisions on commencement
95
Definitions for Division
95 Definitions for Division
In this Division:
old Regulations means the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 1997.
96
Authorised persons and infringement officers
96 Authorised persons and infringement officers
Appointment as authorised person for landside vehicle parking and operation
(1) An appointment of a person as an authorised person in relation to an airport for the provisions in Division 2 of Part 4 of the old Regulations, other than regulation 111, that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument is taken, on and after that commencement, to be an appointment of the person as an authorised person for the airport for the purposes of the provisions in Division 2 of Part 4 of this instrument, other than section 38.
(2) An appointment of a person as an authorised person in relation to an airport for regulation 111 of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument is taken, on and after that commencement, to be an appointment of the person as an authorised person for the airport for the purposes of section 38 of this instrument.
Appointment as authorised person for airside vehicle parking
(3) An appointment of a person as an authorised person in relation to an airport for the provisions in Division 3 of Part 4 of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument is taken, on and after that commencement, to be an appointment of the person as an authorised person for the airport for the purposes of the provisions in Division 3 of Part 4 of this instrument.
Appointment as authorised person for airside vehicle operation
(4) An appointment of a person as an authorised person in relation to an airport for Division 4 of Part 4 of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument is taken, on and after that commencement, to be an appointment of the person as an authorised person for the airport for the purposes of the provisions in Division 4 of Part 4 of this instrument.
Appointment as authorised person (now infringement officer) for smoking prohibition
(5) An appointment of a person as an authorised person in relation to an airport for subregulation 142(1) of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument is taken, on and after that commencement, to be an appointment of the person as an infringement officer for the airport for the purposes of section 80 of this instrument.
97 Employee of airport‑operator company exercising powers of notice authority
(1) An employee of an airport‑operator company who is taken under subsection 96(1) to be appointed as an authorised person for an airport for the purposes of the provisions in Division 2 of Part 4 of this instrument (other than section 38) may exercise the powers of the notice authority for the airport in relation to offences against those provisions at the airport.
(2) Subsection (1) only applies while the appointment of the employee continued under subsection 96(1) remains in force.
98
Vehicle permit zone
98 Vehicle permit zone
A permit issued under regulation 106D of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument continues in force (and may be dealt with) after that commencement as if it had been issued under section 33 of this instrument.
99
Stored vehicles
99 Stored vehicles
A vehicle that:
(a) was moved under regulation 111 of the old Regulations; and
(b) immediately before the commencement of this instrument, was in the possession of an airport‑operator company (having not been recovered, sold or otherwise disposed of);
is taken on and after the commencement of this instrument to have been moved under section 38 of this instrument.
100
Approved issuing authority
100 Approved issuing authority
An authorisation given under paragraph 124(1)(c) of the old Regulations to issue ADAs or AUAs that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument continues in force (and may be dealt with) after that commencement as if it is an approval to issue ADAs or AUAs, as the case may be, given under subsection 52(1) of this instrument.
101
Authority to Drive Airside
101 Authority to Drive Airside
(1) An ADA for an airport issued to a person under regulation 125 of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument continues in force (and may be dealt with) after that commencement as if it had been issued for the airport under section 53 of this instrument.
(2) If the ADA was subject to any conditions imposed under subregulation 125(7) of the old Regulations, those conditions are taken after the commencement of this instrument to be imposed under subsection 53(8) of this instrument.
102
Authority to Use Airside
102 Authority to Use Airside
(1) An AUA for an airport issued in relation to a vehicle under regulation 127 of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument continues in force (and may be dealt with) after that commencement as if it had been issued for the airport in relation to the vehicle under section 55 of this instrument.
(2) If the AUA was subject to any conditions imposed under subregulation 127(5) of the old Regulations, those conditions are taken after the commencement of this instrument to be imposed under subsection 55(6) of this instrument.
103
Gambling permission
103 Gambling permission
(1) A gambling permission granted under Division 4 of Part 5 of the old Regulations that was in force immediately before the commencement of this instrument continues in force (and may be dealt with) after that commencement as if it had been granted under Division 4 of Part 5 of this instrument.
(2) An application for a gambling permission made under regulation 139B of the old Regulations in relation to which the Secretary has not made a decision before the commencement of this instrument, is taken, on and after that commencement, to be an application made under section 69 of this instrument.
(3) If the Secretary:
(a) has given a show cause notice to the holder of a continued gambling authority or a gambling permission under regulation 139H of the old Regulations; and
(b) has not made a decision before the commencement of this instrument under regulation 139I of the old Regulations whether or not to cancel the authority or permission;
the show cause notice is taken, on and after the commencement of this instrument, to have been given under section 73 of this instrument.
104
Infringement notices for offences under old Regulations
104 Infringement notices for offences under old Regulations
(1) Despite the repeal of the old Regulations, a person who, immediately before that repeal, was an authorised person within the meaning of Part 7 of the old Regulations may:
(a) issue an infringement notice in relation to an infringement notice offence (within the meaning of that Part) that is alleged to have occurred before the repeal of the old Regulations, as if they had not been repealed; and
(b) deal with an infringement notice issued under the old Regulations as if they had not been repealed.
(2) The Secretary may also appoint a person to exercise the powers referred to in subsection (1) if the person would have been eligible to be appointed as an authorised person under the old Regulations as in force immediately before they were repealed.
(3) An infringement notice may only be issued under subsection (1) within 12 months after the day on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.
(4) The power to deal with infringement notices under subsection (1), and any appointment made under subsection (2), ceases on 1 April 2028.
Sch 1
Penalties for contravention of applied Australian Road Rules
Schedule 1—Penalties for contravention of applied Australian Road Rules
Note: See section 34.
1 Penalties for contravention of offence provisions in Australian Road Rules
(1) In an item in the following table:
(a) the column headed “Provision” specifies an offence provision in Part 12 of the Australian Road Rules that has been applied by section 30 of this instrument; and
(b) each of the remaining columns of the item specifies the penalty, in penalty units, that applies for the offence of contravening that provision at the airport mentioned in the heading for the column.
(2) The description of an offence provision following the citation of the provision is for information only.
Penalties for contravention of offence provisions in Australian Road Rules
63 Subrule 213(3) (Switching off the engine before leaving the vehicle) 8 2 10.5 5 10.5 4 4 10.5
64 Subrule 213(4) (Removing the ignition key before leaving the vehicle) 8 2 10.5 3 10.5 2 2 10.5
65 Subrule 213(5) (Securing the windows and locking the doors immediately before and after leaving the vehicle) 8 2 10.5 3 10.5 2 2 10.5
Sch 2
Modifications of State liquor legislation
Schedule 2—Modifications of State liquor legislation
Note: See sections 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17.
Part 1
Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport, Sydney West Airport, Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport
Part 1—Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport, Sydney West Airport, Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport
Liquor Act 2007 (NSW)
1
Subsection 4(1)
1 Subsection 4(1)
Insert:
airport‑operator company has the same meaning as in the Airports Act 1996 of the Commonwealth.
2
After subsection 10(2)
2 After subsection 10(2)
Insert:
(2A) It is not lawful to keep or operate gaming machines on licensed premises on Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport, Sydney West Airport, Bankstown Airport or Camden Airport. Accordingly, the keeping or operation of gaming machines on any such premises cannot be authorised under the Gaming Machines Act 2001.
3
Subsection 36(4)
3 Subsection 36(4)
After “the local police” insert “, and an airport‑operator company for the airport on which the premises are situated,”.
4
After paragraph 45(3)(a)
4 After paragraph 45(3)(a)
Insert:
(aa) an airport‑operator company for the airport on which the licensed premises would be situated consents to the application, and
5
Paragraph 89(1)(b)
5 Paragraph 89(1)(b)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(b) to an airport‑operator company for the airport on which the premises are situated.
Omit “the authority”, substitute “the airport‑operator company”.
11
Subsection 90B(3)
11 Subsection 90B(3)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(3) An application under this section must be accompanied by evidence that an airport-operator company for the airport on which the premises are situated has given consent to the application.
12
Subsection 90C(3) (subparagraph (b)(i) of the definition of relevant person)
12 Subsection 90C(3) (subparagraph (b)(i) of the definition of relevant person)
Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:
(i) an airport-operator company for the airport on which the building or part is located; and
13
After paragraph 132(d)
13 After paragraph 132(d)
Insert:
(da) an airport‑operator company for an airport,
14
Sub‑subparagraph 144ZA(1)(a)(i)(C)
14 Sub‑subparagraph 144ZA(1)(a)(i)(C)
Repeal the sub‑subparagraph, substitute:
(C) an airport‑operator company for the airport on which the licensed premises are situated,
Part 2
Airports in Victoria
Part 2—Airports in Victoria
Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic.)
15
Subsection 16(1)
15 Subsection 16(1)
Omit all of the words after “does not contravene”, substitute “the final master plan (within the meaning of the Airports Act 1996 of the Commonwealth) for the airport at which the licensed premises are located”.
16
Subparagraphs 28(1)(c)(i) and (ia)
16 Subparagraphs 28(1)(c)(i) and (ia)
Repeal the subparagraphs.
17
Subparagraphs 29(3)(c)(i) and (ia)
17 Subparagraphs 29(3)(c)(i) and (ia)
Repeal the subparagraphs.
18
Subparagraphs 31(2)(c)(i) and (ia)
18 Subparagraphs 31(2)(c)(i) and (ia)
Repeal the subparagraphs.
19 At the end of section 31
Add:
(3) If the Commission requests that an applicant for a relocation give any other information, the applicant must comply with the request.
20
Subparagraphs 32(2)(c)(i) and (ia)
20 Subparagraphs 32(2)(c)(i) and (ia)
Repeal the subparagraphs.
Part 3
Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport
Part 3—Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport
Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic.)
21
After paragraph 18(2)(a)
21 After paragraph 18(2)(a)
Insert:
(aa) a licence or BYO permit for premises at Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport that is held by:
(i) an airline; or
(ii) a body corporate that is incorporated outside Australia; or
22
Subsection 33(2)
22 Subsection 33(2)
Omit all of the words after “give a copy to”, substitute “an airport‑operator company (within the meaning of the Airports Act 1996 of the Commonwealth) for Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport”.
23
Subsection 33(3)
23 Subsection 33(3)
Omit “the relevant Council”, substitute “an airport‑operator company”.
24 Sections 34, 35 and 38
Repeal the sections.
25
Subsection 40(1)
25 Subsection 40(1)
Omit “The Council of the municipal district in which premises are situated”, substitute “An airport‑operator company (within the meaning of the Airports Act 1996 of the Commonwealth) for Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport”.
26
Paragraphs 40(1)(a) and (b)
26 Paragraphs 40(1)(a) and (b)
Omit “those premises”, substitute “premises at the Airport”.
27
Subsection 40(1A)
27 Subsection 40(1A)
Omit “the Council of the municipal district in which premises are situated”, substitute “an airport‑operator company for the Airport”.
28
Paragraphs 40(1A)(a) and (b)
28 Paragraphs 40(1A)(a) and (b)
Omit “those premises”, substitute “premises at the Airport”.
29
Paragraph 40(2)(a)
29 Paragraph 40(2)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) be made to the Commission in writing within 30 days after the day on which a copy of the application for the grant, variation, transfer or relocation was given to an airport‑operator company under subsection 33(2); and
30 Section 41
Repeal the section.
31 After section 54
Insert:
54A
Deemed nominee of certain licensees or permittees
54A Deemed nominee of certain licensees or permittees
If an airline or a body corporate incorporated outside Australia is the licensee or permittee of premises at Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport, a person who manages or controls the premises is taken to be a nominee of the licensee or permittee.
32
At the end of subsection 68(2)
32 At the end of subsection 68(2)
Add “(as in force outside of Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport)”.
33
Subparagraphs 91(1)(b)(iii), 94(2)(b)(iii) and 97A(2)(a)(iii)
33 Subparagraphs 91(1)(b)(iii), 94(2)(b)(iii) and 97A(2)(a)(iii)
Repeal the subparagraphs.
34 Section 98
Repeal the section.
35
After paragraph 103(3)(a)
35 After paragraph 103(3)(a)
Insert:
(aa) a licensee or permittee that is:
(i) an airline; or
(ii) a body corporate that is incorporated outside Australia; or
Part 4
Terminal areas of Gold Coast Airport and Townsville Airport
Part 4—Terminal areas of Gold Coast Airport and Townsville Airport
Liquor Act 1992 (Qld)
36 Section 4
Insert:
airport‑operator company has the same meaning as in the Airports Act 1996 of the Commonwealth.
37
Paragraph 103(1)(e)
37 Paragraph 103(1)(e)
Omit “local government for the area”, substitute “an airport‑operator company for the airport”.
38
After paragraph 105(1)(c)
38 After paragraph 105(1)(c)
Insert:
(ca) be accompanied by evidence that an airport‑operator company for the airport to which the application relates consents to the application; and
39
Paragraph 110(4)(a)
39 Paragraph 110(4)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) any matter raised by an airport‑operator company for the airport on which the licensed premises are located; and
40
Paragraph 117(1)(a)
40 Paragraph 117(1)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) an airport‑operator company for the airport to which the application relates;
41
Subsection 117(2)
41 Subsection 117(2)
Omit “The local government”, substitute “An airport‑operator company”.
42 Section 118
Repeal the section.
Part 5
Perth Airport
Part 5—Perth Airport
Liquor Control Act 1988 (WA)
43 Section 67
Repeal the section.
44
Paragraph 69(4)(b)
44 Paragraph 69(4)(b)
Omit all of the words from and including “the local government” to and including “that local government”, substitute “an airport‑operator company for the airport on which the premises are, or are proposed to be, situated so requests, give to that airport‑operator company”.
45
Subsection 69(7)
45 Subsection 69(7)
Omit “A local government”, substitute “An airport‑operator company”.
46
Subsection 69(8)
46 Subsection 69(8)
Repeal the subsection.
47
Sections 97 to 98H
47 Sections 97 to 98H
Repeal the sections, substitute:
97
Permitted hours of trading
97 Permitted hours of trading
Subject to any condition imposed by the licensing authority, a licensee is authorised to sell liquor at all times.
Part 6
Terminal areas of Adelaide Airport and Parafield Airport
Part 6—Terminal areas of Adelaide Airport and Parafield Airport
Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (SA)
48 Section 52
Repeal the section.
49
After paragraph 69(3)(d)
49 After paragraph 69(3)(d)
Insert:
(da) an airport‑operator company for the airport on which the relevant place is located consents to the application; and
50 Section 77
Repeal the section.
Part 7
Terminal areas of Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport
Part 7—Terminal areas of Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport
Liquor Licensing Act 1990 (Tas.)
51
Subsections 23(3) and (4)
51 Subsections 23(3) and (4)
Repeal the subsections.
52
Subsection 23A(2)
52 Subsection 23A(2)
Repeal the subsection.
53
Paragraph 24(2)(b)
53 Paragraph 24(2)(b)
Omit “within 30 days after public notice of the application is given under section 23(3),”.
54 Section 39
Repeal the section.
Part 8
Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport
Part 8—Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport
Liquor Act 2019 (NT)
55
After paragraph 96(3)(c)
55 After paragraph 96(3)(c)
Insert:
(ca) evidence that an airport‑operator company (within the meaning of the Airports Act 1996 of the Commonwealth) for the airport on which the premises are located has consented to the proposed alteration;
Part 9
Terminal areas of Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport
Part 9—Terminal areas of Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport
Liquor Act 2019 (NT)
56
Paragraph 61(4)(a)
56 Paragraph 61(4)(a)
Repeal the paragraph.
57
Paragraph 61(4)(c)
57 Paragraph 61(4)(c)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(c) an airport‑operator company (within the meaning of the Airports Act 1996 of the Commonwealth) for the airport on which the licensed premises or proposed licences premises are located;
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 2026
I, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following regulations.
Dated 19 February 2026
Sam Mostyn AC
Governor‑General
By Her Excellency’s Command
Catherine King
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
2 Commencement
3 Authority
4 Definitions
5 Prescription of additional airports to which Part 11 of the Act applies
6 Meaning of activity‑controlled airport and application of this instrument
Part 2—Control of liquor
7 Purposes of Part
8 New South Wales—Modified application of Liquor Act
9 New South Wales—Modified application of Gaming and Liquor Administration Act
10 Transitional—existing liquor licences and sub‑licences at New South Wales airports
11 Victoria—Modifications of Liquor Control Reform Act
12 Queensland—Modifications of Liquor Act
13 Western Australia—Modifications of Liquor Control Act
14 South Australia—Modifications of Liquor Licensing Act
15 Tasmania—Modifications of Liquor Licensing Act
16 Australian Capital Territory—Modified application of Liquor Act
17 Northern Territory—Modifications of Liquor Act
Part 3—Commercial trading
18 Purposes of Part
19 New South Wales—modified application of Retail Trading Act
20 Victoria—modified application of Shop Trading Reform Act
21 Queensland—Trading (Allowable Hours) Act does not apply
22 Western Australia—Retail Trading Hours Act does not apply
23 South Australia—Shop Trading Hours Act does not apply
Part 4—Vehicles
Division 1—Preliminary
Authorises appointment of a range of persons as authorised persons or infringement officers, including Commonwealth employees, AFP members, airport operator employees and contracted individuals (regs 41, 48, 61, 81).
Allows the Secretary to appoint an airport‑operator company as the notice authority for handling infringement notices where appropriate arrangements exist (reg 85).
The instrument preserves a number of transitional arrangements and continuations from the old Regulations. Existing licences, approvals, ADAs, AUAs, gambling permissions and authorised person appointments under the old Regulations continue where specified, and the instrument contains detailed transitional provisions (Part 9, regs 96-104; reg 10 for NSW liquor licences). The Secretary retains central decision rights over gambling permissions (reg 70) and may delegate functions to SES employees (reg 94). The text sets out remedies and administrative review routes for affected parties, including review to the Administrative Review Tribunal for ADA/AUA and gambling decisions (regs 57, 72, 76).
The instrument therefore transfers a substantial body of operational control on airports from a mixture of Commonwealth, State and airport lease governance into a more uniform Commonwealth regulatory template for activity‑controlled airports. The legal mechanics create duties for airport‑operator companies to prepare plans and procedures, for operators and vehicle owners to obtain and hold ADAs/AUAs and for prospective gambling operators and liquor licensees to obtain permissions or comply with modified State laws as set out in Schedule 2.
Main concepts
This instrument rests on a set of conceptually distinct regulatory building blocks. Each is defined and connected to specific operational requirements in the Regulations and the Airports Act.
Activity‑controlled airport: An airport that is a core regulated airport or listed in reg 5, provided an airport lease exists (reg 6). Many obligations apply only to activity‑controlled airports or are expressed to apply to named airports.
Application and modification of State laws: The Regulations modify how State liquor and retail trading laws apply at airports. The instrument does not simply displace State law; it prescribes tailored modifications and transposes certain consent and planning functions to airport‑operator companies in Schedule 2 and regs 8-17 and 19-23. For example, NSW Liquor Act provisions are modified for specific Sydney airports (reg 8 and Schedule 2 Part 1). The instrument also excludes the operation of specified State road rule provisions within landside areas for certain airports (reg 31).
Landside and airside separation: The instrument draws a clear legal distinction between landside (public access areas outside the sterile airside) and airside (operational zones near aircraft), and applies different rule sets to each. The Australian Road Rules Part 12 is applied to landside areas (reg 30). Airside movement and parking are governed by airport‑operator company designations, marking and the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook (regs 43-46, 50-60).
Authorised persons and infringement officers: The Secretary may appoint a wide category of persons as authorised persons or infringement officers to exercise powers (regs 41, 48, 61, 81). Appointments may include airport operator staff and contractors, AFP members, Department employees and other qualified individuals.
ADAs and AUAs: Access to airside driving is governed by an Authority to Drive Airside for persons (ADA) and an Authority for Use Airside for vehicles (AUA). The issuance and withdrawal criteria are set by each airport’s Airside Vehicle Control Handbook and the issuing authority can be the airport‑operator company or an approved issuing authority (regs 52-56). Conditions may include indemnities and operational limitations (regs 53(6)-(9); 55(5)-(7)).
Gambling permissions versus old authorities: The instrument prohibits gambling at most airports unless there is a gambling permission from the Secretary or an old gambling authority continues to operate (regs 66-69, 68). Applications for new permissions are tightly constrained to persons with prior association to authorised activity (reg 69).
Infringement notice framework: The instrument sets a Commonwealth infringement notice system for offences under Parts 4 and 6 (reg 83), defining when infringement notices may be issued, what they must contain, time limits and withdrawal processes (regs 86-92). The notice authority may be the Secretary or an appointed airport‑operator company (reg 85).
Transition and continuity: The Regulations intentionally preserve continuing rights and authorities from the old Regulations for certain licences, ADAs, AUAs and gambling permissions, and they convert some old licences into State licences (for NSW see reg 10).
Several technical legal mechanisms recur:
Strict liability for many contraventions: Numerous offences (parking, stopping, airside driving, smoking, gambling) are defined as strict liability offences (see regs 34, 35, 45, 46, 51, 66, 80), which lowers the prosecution’s fault element but leaves evidential burdens for limited defences under the Criminal Code (see references in regs 37(4), 43(3) notes).
Delegation and internal administrative controls: The Secretary can delegate to SES employees (reg 94) and may appoint airport‑operator companies as notice authorities (reg 85), subject to capability and financial management arrangements.
Reallocation of some State statutory functions to airport operators: Schedule 2 inserts multiple amendments into State liquor regimes to treat airport‑operator companies as the relevant consent or planning authority for many matters (examples in Schedule 2 Parts 1-9).
The main concepts therefore combine Commonwealth rule‑making, delegated airport‑specific operational handbooks, and an enforcement architecture that allows airport operators and their nominated individuals to exercise compliance and enforcement functions under Commonwealth law.
Who it affects
This instrument affects distinct groups in different ways. The legal text identifies primary actors and allocates duties or decision rights to them.
Airport‑operator companies: They acquire a range of operational and administrative obligations. They must prepare and supply a parking signage plan and standard operating procedures for parking to the Secretary annually and on variation, publish the plan and provide copies to the Australian Federal Police and State police (reg 28). They may approve issuing authorities for ADAs/AUAs in accordance with each airport’s Airside Vehicle Control Handbook (reg 52). They may designate no‑parking, limited‑parking, no‑stopping and limited‑stopping areas on the airside (regs 43-44) and must mark them clearly. The Secretary may appoint an airport‑operator company as the notice authority for infringement notices where the company demonstrates capability and arrangements for managing amounts paid on behalf of the Commonwealth (reg 85). Airport‑operator companies may recover costs for moving and storing vehicles and have specific rules governing disposal and proceeds payment to the Commonwealth (regs 39-40).
Tenants and liquor/gambling operators: Existing on‑airport liquor licences and sub‑licences under the old Regulations are converted into State licences in NSW transitional provisions (reg 10), subject to conditions. Schedule 2 modifies State liquor legislation across jurisdictions to reallocate certain consent and planning functions to airport‑operator companies or otherwise adapt State regimes for airports. For gambling, the Secretary controls permissions. Only persons with prior permission, old authority, purchasers of existing authorised businesses, or persons administering such businesses in insolvency contexts may apply (reg 69). Gambling permissions are time‑limited to a maximum of five years and are non‑transferable (regs 71(4)-(5)).
Drivers and vehicle owners: Drivers on landside and airside must comply with applied Australian Road Rules Part 12 and airside ADA/AUA regimes. Strict liability offences apply for contraventions of parking and stopping rules (regs 30, 34, 45-46). Airside operation without an ADA/AUA or proper escort is a strict liability offence attracting higher penalties (reg 51). Vehicle owners are presumptively liable for parking offences unless they make a timely statutory declaration identifying the driver as required by reg 62. Vehicle owners may be responsible for costs of moving and storage and may lose vehicles sold if unclaimed after the statutory period, with proceeds handled under reg 40.
Taxi, hire vehicle and public bus drivers: They must show evidence of authority to operate when asked by an authorised person on the landside, subject to a 3 penalty unit offence if they fail to produce proof (reg 36). Taxi drivers must not leave taxis unattended in taxi zones if the traffic control device indicates so (reg 35).
Airport employees, contractors and authorised persons: The Secretary may appoint Department employees, AFP officers, State‑authorised prosecutorial officers, airport‑operator company employees and contractors as authorised persons or infringement officers (regs 41, 48, 61, 81). Those appointees can issue infringement notices, direct drivers, move vehicles in specified circumstances, and exercise other powers under Part 4 and Part 6.
State authorities and police: The instrument requires copies of signage plans to be given to the Australian Federal Police and to the relevant State police force or service (reg 28(3)). It also adapts State liquor and planning processes by replacing local consent authorities with airport‑operator companies for many functions (Schedule 2).
The Commonwealth Secretary: The Secretary makes central decisions on gambling permissions (reg 70), appoints authorised persons and infringement officers (regs 41, 48, 61, 81), may appoint notice authorities (reg 85), and receives plans and SOPs (regs 28-29). The Secretary can delegate powers to SES employees (reg 94).
Who pays: vehicle owners pay moving and storage costs (reg 39). Persons who hold ADAs/AUAs may be required to indemnify airport‑operator companies as a condition of issuance (regs 53(9), 55(7)). Infringement payment flows are managed by the notice authority, which may be an airport‑operator company acting on behalf of the Commonwealth under agreed arrangements (reg 85(2)(b)).
What behaviour changes: Tenants may need to request airport‑operator company consent for planning and liquor matters where State laws were previously engaged; gambling operators must seek Commonwealth permission under tighter eligibility rules; drivers will be more likely to obtain permits and keep documentary proof of authority; airport‑operator companies must implement signage and SOPs and may exercise enforcement functions previously in State hands.
The instrument therefore touches a wide ecosystem: Commonwealth administrators, airport operators, commercial tenants, vehicles and passengers, State authorities and law enforcement.
Key duties and rights
The Regulations allocate duties, decision rights and entitlements across actors. Below are the most consequential obligations and the statutory sources that create them.
Airport‑operator companies , duties and rights
Prepare, provide and publish a parking signage plan that identifies landside areas where stopping and parking offences apply, and the traffic control devices used. Provide copies to the Secretary within 10 business days of the start of each financial year and on variation, and give copies to the AFP and relevant State police (reg 28(1)-(3)).
Maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for landside parking addressing powers of authorised persons, complaint handling, infringement issuance procedures, and vehicle moving procedures, and give a copy to the Secretary annually (reg 29).
May install traffic control devices on the landside provided they substantially comply with the Australian Road Rules, with limited additional devices permitted (reg 32).
May designate and mark airside no‑parking, limited‑parking, no‑stopping and limited‑stopping areas and must ensure marking communicates permitted times and conditions (regs 43-44).
May approve persons to issue ADAs/AUAs in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook and may revoke that approval with at least seven days’ written notice (reg 52).
May issue ADAs/AUAs in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook (reg 53(1)-(5); 55(1)-(4)).
May move vehicles in specified circumstances, recover reasonable costs of moving and storage from vehicle owners, and dispose of vehicles left unclaimed after statutory periods subject to procedural notices and payment of proceeds to the Commonwealth less costs (regs 38-40).
May be appointed the notice authority for infringement notices, provided the Secretary is satisfied of capability and arrangements for managing amounts paid on behalf of the Commonwealth (reg 85(2)).
Secretary , duties and rights
Receives, reviews and may request further information for gambling permission applications, must decide within 30 days absent further information, and must state reasons for refusal or for imposed new conditions (reg 70(1)-(3), (9)-(10)).
Issues gambling permissions and sets conditions, having regard to amenity, social harm, proposed harm minimisation measures and past conduct (reg 70(4)-(7)). Must give permissions in writing and include the condition that the activity comply with applicable State laws except where displaced (reg 71(1)-(3)).
May appoint an airport‑operator company as the notice authority where requirements are met (reg 85).
May delegate functions to SES employees (reg 94).
Drivers, vehicle owners and operators , duties and rights
Drivers must comply with applied Australian Road Rules Part 12 on the landside and follow directions of authorised persons to move vehicles (regs 30, 37).
Drivers on the airside must hold an ADA when required and the vehicle must be subject to an AUA or be escorted by an authorised airside escort (reg 51(1)). Drivers must present ADA/AUA or other approved ID on demand (reg 58(1)).
Vehicle owners are presumptively liable for parking offences but may avoid liability by providing timely statutory declarations identifying another driver or showing reasonable enquiries to identify the driver (reg 62).
Taxi drivers must not leave a taxi unattended in a taxi zone where a traffic control device indicates that prohibition, with different penalty units by airport (reg 35).
Liquor and retail operators
Existing on‑airport licences under the old Regulations are converted into State licences in specific circumstances (reg 10 for NSW). Schedule 2 modifies State liquor acts to reassign consent and planning processes to airport‑operator companies in many cases. Operators must follow the modified State rules and any Commonwealth modifications in the Schedule.
Gambling operators
Gambling at most activity‑controlled airports is prohibited unless authorised under a gambling permission or an old gambling authority. Eligible applicants are narrowly defined (reg 69). Permissions must be in writing, non‑transferable, for up to five years and include conditions such as compliance with State laws where required (regs 70-71).
Enforcement and penalties
Numerous offences are strict liability offences with penalty units specified across Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6. Infringement notice machinery applies to these offences (reg 83). The offence catalogue and penalties are in Schedules and in text (regs 34-36, 45-51, 66, 80; Schedule 1 for applied Australian Road Rules).
Administrative review and appeal rights
Specific decisions are reviewable to the Administrative Review Tribunal, including ADA/AUA issuance or withdrawal (reg 57), gambling permission decisions (reg 72), and cancellation of gambling permissions (reg 76). The Secretary must give written reasons for refusals and cancellations where required (regs 70(9)-(10), 74(4)-(5)).
Delegated operational documents
Many operational rights and duties are made conditional on each airport’s Airside Vehicle Control Handbook which is incorporated by reference (reg 50). The Handbook sets criteria and procedures for ADA/AUA issuance, escort rules and issuing authority approvals.
This division of duties concentrates administrative and operational responsibilities with airport‑operator companies and the Secretary, while delegating enforcement functions broadly to authorised persons and infringement officers who may be contractors or airport employees.
Penalties and enforcement
The Regulations establish an enforcement architecture combining criminal offences, strict liability, infringement notices and administrative sanctions. They rely heavily on strict liability offences and delegated enforcement personnel.
Criminal offences and penalty units
Many parking, stopping, landside and airside offences are framed as strict liability offences. Examples include contraventions of applied Australian Road Rules on the landside (reg 34), taxi‑leaving offences (reg 35), landside direction offences (reg 37(3)), airside parking and stopping offences (regs 45-46), unpermitted airside driving (reg 51(1)), and smoking in marked no‑smoking areas (reg 80).
Penalties are specified in penalty units attached to each offence. For example, airside driving without ADA/AUA or escort is 5 penalty units (reg 51(1)), smoking in a marked no‑smoking area is 5 units (reg 80), failure to show ADA/AUA/ASIC/ID on demand is 1 unit (reg 58(2)), and many parking/stopping contraventions are 3 units (regs 35, 45-46). Schedule 1 prescribes penalties (in penalty units) for contraventions of specific provisions of Part 12 of the Australian Road Rules applied to the landside, with different penalty unit amounts for different airports.
The Regulations frequently specify strict liability and reference subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code to place an evidential burden on the defendant to raise matters such as emergency vehicle or permission defences (see regs 37(4) and notes in other sections).
Infringement notices
Part 7 establishes an infringement notice regime applicable to provisions in Part 4 and Part 6 that are strict liability offences (reg 83). Infringement officers may issue infringement notices when they reasonably believe an offence has occurred, and notices must be given within 12 months of the alleged offence (reg 86).
Infringement notices must contain prescribed information (reg 87) and the payable amount is one fifth of the maximum court penalty for the offence (reg 87(2)). Payment discharges liability and bars prosecution (reg 91), unless the notice is withdrawn.
Notice authorities may be the Secretary or, if appointed, an airport‑operator company for the airport provided the Secretary is satisfied the company has capability and arrangements to manage amounts received on behalf of the Commonwealth (reg 85(1)-(2)). The Regulations require that notice authorities administer extensions, withdrawals and refunds in accordance with Part 7 (regs 88-92).
Enforcement personnel and delegated powers
The Secretary may appoint authorised persons and infringement officers who may be Department employees, AFP members, State authorised prosecutorial officers, airport operator employees or contractors, or others the Secretary considers qualified (regs 41, 48, 61, 81). These appointees may direct drivers to move vehicles, move vehicles where drivers cannot be found or refuse to comply, and issue infringement notices.
Authorised persons moving vehicles are protected from liability for loss or damage to the vehicle that occurs while moving or before retrieval (reg 38(5)). Airport‑operator companies may recover reasonable costs of moving and storage by civil action (reg 39(2)) and may refuse to return vehicles until costs are paid (reg 39(3)).
For serious non‑compliance with gambling permissions or old authorities, the Secretary may issue show cause notices, suspend permissions pending resolution and ultimately cancel permissions where satisfied prescribed grounds exist (regs 73-74). Decisions to cancel are reviewable to the Administrative Review Tribunal (reg 76).
Administrative review and reasoned decisions
The Regulations require the Secretary to give written reasons for refusals to grant gambling permissions and for decisions to cancel permissions (regs 70(9)-(10), 74(4)-(5)). ADA/AUA refusal or withdrawal decisions can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal (reg 57).
Evidentiary mechanisms
Certificates issued by the notice authority are prima facie evidence of unpaid infringement amounts, extensions or withdrawals and can be used in prosecution (reg 92). Statutory declarations made under reg 62 are treated as prima facie evidence at trial that the declarant was the driver or that reasonable inquiries were undertaken to identify another driver.
Operational enforcement features that have legal consequences
The provision allowing appointment of airport‑operator companies as notice authorities (reg 85) creates an operational model where enforcement and payment processing can be handled by private airport operators subject to Commonwealth oversight and financial arrangements.
The instrument explicitly states that an authorised person who moves a vehicle, or any person assisting, and the airport‑operator company are not liable for loss or damage while moving or before retrieval (reg 38(5)), while airport operator civil remedies for costs are preserved (reg 39).
In short, the Regulations create a multi‑layered enforcement system that combines criminal penalties, civil recovery rights, administrative permissions subject to suspension or cancellation, an infringement notice regime intended to simplify enforcement and delegated operational control to airport‑operator companies and their appointees.
How it interacts with other laws
The instrument operates in a patchwork of Commonwealth, State and airport‑specific regulatory frameworks. The Regulations both incorporate and displace elements of State law and continue or convert some pre‑existing Commonwealth instruments. Key interaction points are set out in the instrument itself.
Relationship with the Airports Act 1996
The Regulations are made under the Airports Act 1996 (reg 3). They prescribe additional airports for the purposes of paragraph 169(1)(b) of the Act (reg 5), and implement powers referenced in the Act, including sections cited as purposes for particular Parts (regs 7, 18, 24, 64, 77, 82, etc). The definition of activity‑controlled airport explicitly depends on the Act and the existence of an airport lease (reg 6).
State liquor and planning regimes
The instrument modifies the application of State liquor laws to airports. Parts 2 and Schedule 2 provide detailed modifications to State liquor statutes across jurisdictions. These modifications commonly include:
Treating airport‑operator companies as the relevant local consent/planning authority for specified liquor licensing processes (Schedule 2 numerous items, eg NSW Part 1 items 3-13; Victoria Part 2-3; Queensland Part 4; WA Part 5; SA Part 6; Tasmania Part 7; NT Part 8-9).
Converting certain former Commonwealth airport licences into State licences on commencement, subject to conditions and transitional protections (reg 10 for NSW).
In some cases removing local government functions from State statutes and reallocating them to airport‑operator companies or changing the basis for compliance with planning approvals (eg ACT modifications in reg 16).
The Regulations therefore do not abolish State liquor regulation; they alter who gives consent and which planning or licencing steps apply for on‑airport premises.
State road rules and the Australian Road Rules
The Australian Road Rules, as approved and published as at 9 June 2023, are applied to landside areas for Part 12 and related provisions (reg 30). The Regulations specifically displace certain State road rule provisions within landside areas of particular airports by declaring those State rules have no effect within the landside for those airports (reg 31). Examples include the Road Rules 2014 (NSW) within Sydney and Gold Coast landsides and equivalent State rules in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania (reg 31). This creates a single applied Rule set on the landside for the listed airports, with penalties adjusted by Schedule 1.
Interaction with State gambling laws
The Regulations remove the direct operation of State law permitting gambling activities at airports (reg 67(1)-(2)). But it is a stated condition of any gambling permission or old gambling authority that the permitted activity must comply with the State law that would otherwise apply, except where the State law requires that a licence or permission be obtained, requires reporting or is inconsistent with the permission (reg 67(3)). That means State regulatory norms remain relevant as a compliance baseline, but the Commonwealth licensing permission is the operative gate for airport gambling.
Continuity with old Commonwealth regulations and authorities
The instrument contains transitional provisions that continue ADAs, AUAs, gambling permissions, authorised person appointments and vehicle permits issued under the old Regulations as if issued under the new instrument (regs 96-104). This preserves incumbent rights and ensures administrative continuity.
Criminal Code evidentiary rules
The Regulations refer to subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code to impose an evidential burden on defendants in relation to specific matters such as permission exceptions or emergency vehicles (see regs 37(4), 43(3) notes, and other sections). This imports Commonwealth criminal evidentiary structure into on‑airport offence prosecutions.
Interaction with the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004
For airside ID checks, where the airport is a security controlled airport within the meaning of the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004, authorised persons may require an ASIC as defined in the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 in addition to ADA/AUA (reg 58(1)(c)). Where not a security controlled airport, an airport‑operator company ID may be approved (reg 58(1)(d)). This shows the instrument respects existing aviation security ID regimes.
Financial flows and Commonwealth receipts
Proceeds from the sale of disposed vehicles are to be given by the airport‑operator company to the Commonwealth less costs reasonably incurred (reg 40(4)). Infringement notice payments are managed by the notice authority, which may be an airport‑operator company that receives amounts on behalf of the Commonwealth under arrangements approved by the Secretary (reg 85(2)(b); reg 90(6) refers to refund on behalf of the Commonwealth). The instrument therefore creates mechanisms by which private airport companies may handle enforcement receipts on the Commonwealth’s behalf subject to agreed arrangements.
Operational handbooks and local rule‑making
The Airside Vehicle Control Handbook is incorporated as the operative source for criteria and procedures for ADA/AUA issuance and for escort rules (reg 50). That means airport‑specific handbooks, as in force from time to time, determine detailed operational criteria. The Secretary’s role in approving or receiving documentation interacts with these airport defined standards.
In sum, the Regulations overlay Commonwealth uniformity on aspects of on‑airport regulation, while preserving and re‑allocating parts of existing State law and existing Commonwealth practice through specific modifications, transitional continuations and incorporation of airport handbooks.
Amendment history
The instrument includes its own commencement note and a set of transitional provisions designed to bridge the 1997 Regulations and the new 2026 Regulations.
Commencement: The whole instrument commences on 1 April 2026 (reg 2 and commencement table). The register note indicates that the table relates only to the provisions as originally made (reg 2(2) note).
Repeal and continuation: The text repeatedly references the old Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 1997 (the old Regulations). The instrument repeals the old Regulations and provides transitional measures designed to continue key appointments, authorities, licences, ADAs and AUAs (Part 9, regs 95-104). Specific transitional continuations include:
Appointments of authorised persons under the old Regulations are taken to continue as appointments under the new instrument for the corresponding divisions and provisions (reg 96).
Employees of an airport‑operator company who are taken to be appointed authorised persons under reg 96(1) may exercise notice authority powers while their appointment continues (reg 97).
Permits and vehicle movements under the old Regulations continue as if issued or moved under sections 33 and 38 respectively (regs 98-99).
Approved issuing authority authorisations under the old Regulations continue as approvals under s 52 (reg 100).
Existing ADAs and AUAs continue as if issued under ss 53 and 55 respectively, with existing conditions preserved as conditions under the new instrument (regs 101-102).
Gambling permissions granted under the old Regulations continue under the new Division 4 rules (reg 103(1)), and pending applications are taken as made under the new sections (reg 103(2)). Show cause notices issued under the old Regulations are taken as given under the new provisions (reg 103(3)).
The old infringement notice regime is preserved for alleged offences committed before repeal, with a 12 month time limit and a limited appointment window expiring 1 April 2028 (reg 104).
Schedule 2 and State law amendments: The instrument contains extensive, specific amendments to State liquor and trading legislation in Schedule 2, marking an interstate suite of legislative modifications rather than multiple Commonwealth amendments over time. The Schedule changes how State Acts operate at airport premises, reallocating consent functions, redefining local authorities and removing or replacing particular sections.
No further amendment history is recorded in the instrument itself. The Regulations, as drafted, effect a near‑complete rewrite of operational Commonwealth regulation of on‑airport activities, and the transitional provisions are designed to preserve existing rights while migrating functions to the new framework.
Readers should note that the instrument preserves certain temporary powers from the old Regulations for up to two years in relation to dealing with old infringement notices (reg 104(4)), indicating a planned short transition period for outstanding enforcement matters. The Secretary retains powers to delegate functions to SES employees (reg 94), which can be used to operationally implement the new regime.
Litigation history
The text of the Regulations does not cite or describe any judicial decisions or litigated matters. The instrument establishes administrative decision rights and appeal pathways, which in practice create points where litigation or judicial review might later arise.
Statutory review avenues the instrument provides
Administrative Review Tribunal review is expressly available for several classes of decisions, including decisions not to issue or to impose additional conditions on an ADA (reg 57(a)-(b)), withdrawal of an ADA (reg 57(c)), decisions to not issue or to issue an AUA subject to conditions (reg 57(d)-(e)), and withdrawal of an AUA (reg 57(f)). Similarly, Secretary decisions to refuse gambling permissions and to impose new conditions are reviewable to the Administrative Review Tribunal (reg 72(1)-(2)), as is a decision to cancel a gambling permission or old authority under reg 74 (reg 76).
The Secretary must provide statements of reasons following refusals or cancellations where provided for in the instrument (regs 70(9)-(10), 74(4)-(5)). Those statements of reasons create factual and legal grounds that can be the subject of merits review or potentially judicial review where statutory error or procedural unfairness is alleged.
Potential litigation vectors implicit in the instrument
Conversion and continuation of State liquor licences in NSW and other jurisdictions (reg 10 and Schedule 2) could generate disputes about the scope and conditions of the deemed State licences and the interaction with existing lease terms. The instrument itself preserves existing conditions except where inconsistent with State law as modified (reg 10(3)).
Appointment of airport‑operator companies as notice authorities (reg 85) and the requirement that they manage amounts paid on behalf of the Commonwealth may give rise to disputes over accounting, retention of proceeds and refund obligations. The Regulations require arrangements for the management of such amounts but do not set out detailed financial controls beyond that requirement.
Enforcement actions involving strict liability offences will hinge on evidentiary matters, including the statutory declaration regime for owners alleging another driver (reg 62) and the shifting of an evidential burden under the Criminal Code (see notes in regs 37(4), etc.). Courts may be asked to interpret the scope of defences.
Withdrawal of ADAs/AUAs and revocation of approvals by airport operator issuing authorities, which are subject to show cause and procedural protections in regs 54 and 56, may produce merits review actions if affected persons allege failure to follow handbook criteria or procedural unfairness.
Because the instrument itself does not record prior litigation, practitioners should treat litigation history as absent in the text, but be aware that the new statutory architecture contains multiple administrative decision points likely to attract review in practice. Administrative review routes are explicitly provided and preserved.
Gotchas
A number of features of the Regulations create operational pitfalls or non‑obvious legal consequences. These are matters practitioners and compliance officers should note because the instrument itself embeds them.
Strict liability offences and evidential burdens
Many offences are strict liability (regs 34, 35, 45-46, 51, 66, 80). That reduces the State’s burden to prove fault, while the defendant may bear an evidential burden to raise defences such as emergency vehicle exceptions or valid permission. The Regulations reference subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code in notes, which places an evidential burden on the defendant. This can materially change the practical defence strategy in prosecutions for on‑airport offences (see regs 37(4) and notes at regs 43(3), 45(3) and elsewhere).
Owner presumed to be driver with tight statutory declaration windows
Vehicle owners are presumed to have committed parking offences unless they provide a statutory declaration within 14 days after service of an infringement notice or summons to identify the actual driver or to state reasonable enquiries were made (reg 62(1)-(4)). Missing the 14 day window creates potential criminal liability for the owner with limited recourse. Practitioners should note the exact deadlines and preservation steps in reg 62.
Airport‑operator companies may be appointed notice authorities and handle payments
The Secretary may appoint an airport‑operator company as the notice authority for specified offences if satisfied about capability and arrangements (reg 85(2)). This creates operational outsourcing of infringement administration. The Regulations require arrangements for management of amounts paid on behalf of the Commonwealth but do not specify the accounting mechanics. Practitioners should ensure clarity in contractual arrangements and recordkeeping because payments will be treated as managed on behalf of the Commonwealth (reg 85(2)(b); reg 90(6)).
ADAs and AUAs can be conditioned to require indemnities and employer obligations
ADAs and AUAs may be issued subject to conditions the airport‑operator company thinks necessary, explicitly including requirements that the holder or the holder’s employer indemnify the airport‑operator company (regs 53(8)-(9), 55(6)-(7)). Employers and contractors should expect to face indemnity obligations as a condition of access to airside operations.
Airside access and handbook dependency
Substantial procedural and eligibility matters for ADAs/AUAs are delegated to each airport’s Airside Vehicle Control Handbook, which is incorporated by reference (regs 50-55). That means criteria may vary by airport and change over time as the Handbook is updated. Applicants and operators must track the current Handbook for each airport to ensure compliance.
Gambling permissions are narrowly available and non‑transferable
Only persons who currently hold gambling permissions, hold old gambling authorities, have purchased a business with such authority or are administering such a business in insolvency contexts may apply for a new gambling permission (reg 69(1)). Applications must include evidence of airport‑operator company consent (reg 69(2)). Permissions are non‑transferable (reg 71(5)) and capped at five years (reg 71(4)). The narrow eligibility and non‑transferability will complicate business sales and investment planning.
Conversion of old Commonwealth licences into State licences (NSW example)
Reg 10 deems certain old Commonwealth general licences and passenger terminal licences under the old Regulations to be State licences under the Liquor Act 2007 (NSW), but such newly deemed licences are subject to the conditions from the old licences except where inconsistent with the State Act as modified (reg 10(3)). Practitioners should review the specific saved or inconsistent conditions; conditions requiring compliance with an airport‑operator company policy or lease terms are excepted from continuance (reg 10(3)(b)), potentially changing economic relationships.
Displacement and incorporation of State law
The Regulations remove the direct operation of State gambling permissions at airports (reg 67(1)-(2)) while making compliance with State laws a condition of Commonwealth gambling permissions except for licensing or reporting requirements or where inconsistent (reg 67(3)). This creates complexity where State licencing regimes might require separate approvals. Applicants should not assume that a Commonwealth permission obviates any State procedural step unless expressly excluded.
Vehicle disposal and proceeds flow to Commonwealth
If an airport‑operator company sells a vehicle that has been moved and not retrieved after statutory timeframes, the proceeds must be given to the Commonwealth less the costs of moving, storing and selling the vehicle (reg 40(4)). If a claim is later made, the airport company must pass proceeds back to the owner out of the proceeds if available, and the Commonwealth will reimburse the airport operator if proceeds already remitted (reg 40(5)-(6)). There are procedural and timing traps for owners who fail to timely retrieve vehicles.
Time limits and administrative detail
Infringement notices must be issued within 12 months of the alleged offence (reg 86(2)). The Secretary must decide gambling permission applications within 30 days unless a request for further information is made, otherwise the application is taken to be refused (reg 70(3)). Practitioners must track these statutory deadlines.
Delegation and appointment breadth
The Secretary may appoint airport contractor staff and subcontractors as authorised persons and infringement officers (regs 41, 48, 61, 81). This breadth of appointment raises operational compliance and training needs to ensure authorised persons exercise powers in accordance with airport SOPs (reg 29(1)(a)).
Record‑keeping and publication obligations
Airport‑operator companies must publish parking signage plans and SOPs and provide them to the Secretary and law enforcement (reg 28(3); reg 29(2)). Failure to maintain or publish accurate plans and SOPs could create compliance and enforcement exposure.
These “gotchas” point to practical administrative, evidentiary and contractual issues that require careful operational procedures, timely declarations and clear contractual allocation of liabilities and obligations.
How to comply
This section sets out pragmatic compliance steps targeted to the principal actors: airport‑operator companies, tenant operators (liquor, retail, gambling), vehicle operators/drivers, and enforcement personnel. Citations to the Regulations indicate the legal source of each duty.
For airport‑operator companies
Prepare and maintain a parking signage plan:
Draft a parking signage plan that describes landside areas where sections 34 and 35 offences apply and lists the traffic control devices used (reg 28(1)(a)-(b)).
Provide the plan to the Secretary within 10 business days after the start of each financial year and as soon as practicable after any variation (reg 28(2)).
Publish the plan on the airport website and give copies to the Australian Federal Police and the State police of the State in which the airport is located as soon as practicable after submission to the Secretary (reg 28(3)).
Develop and operationalise standard operating procedures (SOPs) for landside vehicles:
Ensure SOPs set out powers of authorised persons, compliance handling, complaint processes, procedures for issuing infringement notices, payment and collection, and moving vehicles under reg 38 (reg 29(1)(a)-(d)).
Give a copy of the SOPs to the Secretary within 10 business days after the beginning of each financial year, and maintain records of revisions (reg 29(2)).
Install traffic control devices in compliance with the Australian Road Rules:
Install devices that comply substantially with the Australian Road Rules or fit the limited exceptions allowed by reg 32(2)-(3). Ensure devices are prominently and clearly installed (reg 32(4)).
Mark and manage airside areas:
When designating no‑parking, limited‑parking, no‑stopping or limited‑stopping areas on the airside, use clear markings and signage that specify permitted times, purposes and conditions (regs 43(1)-(3); 44(1)-(3)).
Approve issuing authorities and manage ADA/AUA processes:
Approve issuing authorities for ADAs/AUAs in accordance with the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook and maintain written approvals and revocation notices (reg 52).
Implement the Handbook criteria for ADA/AUA issuance and ensure issuance includes a card or other evidence for holders (reg 53(1)-(5); 53(5)).
Apply and document conditions, including indemnity requirements, and follow prescribed show cause and notice procedures for withdrawals (regs 53(6)-(9); 54).
Consider appointment as notice authority carefully:
If seeking appointment under reg 85(2), establish robust capability and documented arrangements for management of amounts paid under infringement notices that will be received "on behalf of the Commonwealth".
Prepare accounting and audit trails showing how monies are segregated and remitted to the Commonwealth as required, and ensure protocols for refunds if notices are withdrawn (reg 90(6); reg 85(2)(b)).
Record‑keeping and training:
Ensure authorised persons and infringement officers receive documented training and that SOPs set minimum standards for exercising powers (reg 29(1)(a)).
Maintain logs of movements of vehicles moved under reg 38 and notices sent to vehicle registration authorities (reg 38(3)).
For tenant operators and prospective liquor/gambling operators
Liquor licensing compliance:
Review Schedule 2 to determine statutory modifications that apply to the airport and the consequences for consent, planning and licensing functions in the relevant State (Schedule 2 Part numbers). For NSW, review transitional provisions in reg 10 that convert many old Commonwealth licences into State licences and the conditions that survive (reg 10(1)-(5)).
Seek express consent from the airport‑operator company where Schedule 2 requires it as part of State statutory processes (see multiple items in Schedule 2, e.g. NSW Part 1 items 4-13 and Queensland Part 4 items).
Gambling permissions:
Confirm eligibility under reg 69(1) before applying for a gambling permission. Applications are only permitted where the applicant holds a current permission, holds an old authority, is purchasing or administering a business with such authority, or is an insolvency practitioner acting in a limited role.
Include evidence of airport‑operator company consent with the application (reg 69(2)). Expect the Secretary to request additional information and to decide within 30 days absent further requests (reg 70(2)-(3)).
Prepare and document harm minimisation measures, amenity impact assessments and compliance arrangements with State law because the Secretary must have regard to these matters when deciding whether to grant a permission and determining conditions (reg 70(4)-(7)).
Remember permissions are non‑transferable and limited to five years maximum (regs 71(4)-(5)).
Commercial trading and trading hours:
Check regs 19-23 for exceptions to State trading hour laws that apply to shops on particular airports. These provisions may create extended trading entitlements, but operators should verify the airport’s specific rules and lease terms.
For drivers, vehicle owners and service providers
Obtain and carry ADA/AUA or appropriate escort evidence:
Ensure drivers obtain ADA and vehicles are the subject of an AUA where required by local Airside Vehicle Control Handbook rules. ADAs/AUAs must be shown to authorised persons on demand (regs 51, 53(5)-(7), 58(1)-(2)).
Comply with landside parking and stopping rules:
Follow applied Australian Road Rules Part 12 on the landside and pay attention to parking signage plans published by the airport operator (reg 30; reg 28(3)).
If issued an infringement notice, consider paying within 28 days to discharge liability under reg 87(1)(h) and reg 91. If disputing the notice, use the written representations and withdrawal processes in reg 90.
If your vehicle is moved:
Expect to be required to pay reasonable costs for moving and storage; document retrieval processes and timelines to avoid disposal after three months by the airport operator (regs 38-40).
If you are the vehicle owner and receive an infringement notice, be aware of the 14 day period to provide a statutory declaration identifying another driver or evidencing reasonable enquiries (reg 62(2)-(3)).
For authorised persons and infringement officers
Appointment and powers:
Ensure written appointment by the Secretary and understand the scope of powers under Part 4 and Part 7, including directions to move vehicles, issuing infringement notices and moving vehicles when drivers cannot be located (regs 37-38; regs 86-88).
Follow airport SOPs and the Australian Road Rules as applied to landside areas (reg 29(1)(a); reg 30).
Evidence and notice requirements:
When issuing infringement notices, comply with the detailed form and substance requirements in reg 87 and the time limits in reg 86.
For parking owner liability cases, be familiar with the statutory declaration provisions in reg 62 and the requirements for attaching a copy of the declaration to subsequent notices or summonses in reg 63.
For legal and compliance teams
Review the Airside Vehicle Control Handbook for each airport to understand ADA/AUA criteria and conditions; the Handbook is the operative source for many issuance and withdrawal rules (reg 50).
Map State law modifications in Schedule 2 to local licences and lease obligations and update lease, licence assignment, and workplace policies to reflect the change of consent authorities to airport‑operator companies in many matters.
Update contracts with airport‑operator companies and service providers to address indemnity clauses, ADA/AUA conditions, notice authority arrangements, duty to indemnify and handling of enforcement receipts. Expect indemnity conditions to be imposed under regs 53(9) and 55(6)-(7).
Establish compliance checklists for signage, SOP publication, ADA/AUA card production and record retention to evidence compliance with the Secretary’s requirements (regs 28-29; reg 53(5)).
Monitor the Secretary’s delegation regime and any appointments of notice authorities under reg 85 to understand who issues notices and how payments will be handled.
These steps focus on aligning operational processes and contractual terms with the specific duties and conditions in the Regulations. They will reduce compliance risk and clarify who bears costs, when indemnities apply and how to respond to enforcement actions.
31 Operation of State laws on stopping and parking
32 Installation of traffic control devices
33 Permits to stop a vehicle in a permit zone
34 Offences against Australian Road Rules on stopping and parking
35 Taxi driver must not leave taxi unattended in certain areas
36 Drivers of taxis, hire vehicles and public buses to show authority cards
37 Authorised person may direct that vehicle be moved
38 Authorised person may move vehicle
39 Owner of vehicle must pay costs of storage etc.
40 Airport‑operator company may dispose of vehicle
41 Who can be appointed as authorised person
Division 3—Airside vehicle parking
42 Airports to which this Division applies
43 Areas with parking restrictions
44 Areas with stopping restrictions
45 Offences—parking
46 Offences—stopping
47 Authorised person may direct that a vehicle be moved
48 Who can be appointed as authorised person
Division 4—Airside vehicle operation
49 Airports to which this Division applies
50 References to Airside Vehicle Control Handbook
51 Vehicles not to be driven on airside without permission or escort
52 Approved issuing authority
53 Authority to Drive Airside
54 Withdrawal of Authority to Drive Airside
55 Authority for Use Airside
56 Withdrawal of Authority for Use Airside
57 Review of decisions
58 Driver of vehicle must show authority etc.
59 Vehicles to be kept clear of aircraft
60 Authorised person may direct that vehicle be moved or move vehicle
61 Who can be appointed as authorised person
Division 5—Liability of owner of vehicle for offences
62 Liability of owner of vehicle for parking offences
63 Copy of statutory declaration to be served
Part 5—Gambling
Division 1—Preliminary
64 Purposes of Part
65 Airports to which this Part applies
Division 2—Regulation of gambling activity at airports
66 Prohibition of gambling
67 State gambling laws not to apply
Division 3—Continuation of old gambling authority
68 Old gambling authority continues to have effect
Division 4—Permission to engage in gambling activity
69 Application for gambling permission
70 Decision on application
71 Terms of granted permission
72 Review of decisions
Division 5—Cancellation and suspension of permissions and authorities
73 Cancellation due to breach—show cause notice and possible suspension
74 Decision on cancellation
75 Cancellation at request of holder
76 Review of decisions
Part 6—Smoking
77 Purposes of Part
78 Airports to which this Part applies
79 No‑smoking areas
80 Offence—smoking
81 Infringement officers
Part 7—Infringement notices
82 Purposes of Part
83 Provisions subject to infringement notices
84 Meaning of infringement officer
85 Meaning of notice authority
86 When an infringement notice may be given
87 Matters to be included in an infringement notice
88 Service of infringement notices
89 Extension of time to pay amount
90 Withdrawal of an infringement notice
91 Effect of payment of amount
92 Evidentiary matters
93 Effect of this Part
Part 8—Miscellaneous
94 Delegation by Secretary
Part 9—Application, saving and transitional provisions
Division 1—Transitional provisions on commencement
95 Definitions for Division
96 Authorised persons and infringement officers
97 Employee of airport‑operator company exercising powers of notice authority
98 Vehicle permit zone
99 Stored vehicles
100 Approved issuing authority
101 Authority to Drive Airside
102 Authority to Use Airside
103 Gambling permission
104 Infringement notices for offences under old Regulations
Schedule 1—Penalties for contravention of applied Australian Road Rules
1 Penalties for contravention of offence provisions in Australian Road Rules
Schedule 2—Modifications of State liquor legislation
Part 1—Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport, Sydney West Airport, Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport
Liquor Act 2007 (NSW)
Part 2—Airports in Victoria
Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic.)
Part 3—Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport
Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic.)
Part 4—Terminal areas of Gold Coast Airport and Townsville Airport
Liquor Act 1992 (Qld)
Part 5—Perth Airport
Liquor Control Act 1988 (WA)
Part 6—Terminal areas of Adelaide Airport and Parafield Airport
Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (SA)
Part 7—Terminal areas of Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport
Liquor Licensing Act 1990 (Tas.)
Part 8—Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport
Liquor Act 2019 (NT)
Part 9—Terminal areas of Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport
Liquor Act 2019 (NT)
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
This instrument is the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 2026.
2 Commencement
(1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
Commencement information
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Provisions Commencement Date/Details
The whole of this instrument 1 April 2026. 1 April 2026
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.
(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under the Airports Act 1996.
4 Definitions
Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:
(a) airport lease;
(b) airport‑operator company;
(c) Airside Vehicle Control Handbook;
(d) State.
In this instrument:
Act means the Airports Act 1996.
activity‑controlled airport has the meaning given by section 6.
approved issuing authority, for an airport, means a person approved under subsection 52(1) to issue ADAs or AUAs (or both) for the airport.
Australian Road Rules means the Australian Road Rules as approved by the Infrastructure and Transport Minister’s Meeting and published by the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee, as at 9 June 2023.
Note: The Australian Road Rules could in 2025 be viewed on the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee website (pcc.gov.au).
authorised person has the meaning given by section 25.
Authority for Use Airside or AUA, for an airport, means a permission issued in relation to a vehicle under section 55 allowing the vehicle to be driven on the airside of the airport.
Authority to Drive Airside or ADA, for an airport, means a permission issued to a person under section 53 allowing the person to drive a vehicle on the airside of the airport.
consumer trading means the supply of goods or services (within the meaning of section 171 of the Act) to an individual who acquires the goods or services as a consumer (within the meaning of section 4B of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010).
drive includes be in control of.
driver has the same meaning as in the Australian Road Rules (and includes a rider within the meaning of those Rules).
emergency or police vehicle means a vehicle that is being driven by a person who is an emergency worker or police officer in the course of the person’s duties.
gambling activity has the same meaning as in section 173 of the Act.
gambling permission means a permission to engage in a gambling activity granted by the Secretary under Division 4 of Part 5.
infringement officer has the meaning given by section 84.
limited‑parking area has the meaning given by paragraph 43(1)(b).
limited‑stopping area has the meaning given by paragraph 44(1)(b).
no‑parking area has the meaning given by paragraph 43(1)(a).
no‑smoking area has the meaning given by subsection 79(1).
no‑stopping area has the meaning given by paragraph 44(1)(a).
notice authority has the meaning given by section 85.
old gambling authority has the meaning given by subsection 68(2).
owner, for a vehicle, means:
(a) if the vehicle is registered under a law of a State for the registration of vehicles:
(i) the registered owner, unless subparagraph (ii) applies; or
(ii) if the registered owner has sold or otherwise disposed of the vehicle—the person who has acquired the vehicle from the registered owner; or
(b) for any other vehicle—the person who is legally entitled to possession of the vehicle.
parking control provision has the meaning given by section 27.
parking offence means any offence that relates to parking, stopping or leaving a vehicle.
permit zone has the same meaning as in the Australian Road Rules.
Secretary means the Secretary of the Department.
subject to an infringement notice has the meaning given by section 83.
taxi zone has the same meaning as in the Australian Road Rules.
terminal area of an airport means the building or buildings on the airport used for processing the arrival and departure of passengers on scheduled air services that are available to the general public on a commercial basis.
traffic control device has the same meaning as in the Australian Road Rules.
5 Prescription of additional airports to which Part 11 of the Act applies
For the purposes of paragraph 169(1)(b) of the Act, the following airports are prescribed:
(a) Archerfield Airport;
(b) Bankstown Airport;
(c) Camden Airport;
(d) Essendon Fields Airport;
(e) Jandakot Airport;
(f) Moorabbin Airport;
(g) Mount Isa Airport;
(h) Parafield Airport;
(i) Tennant Creek Airport.
Note: Paragraph 169(1)(b) of the Act provides that Part 11 of the Act applies to an airport prescribed in the regulations, if there is an airport lease for the airport.
6 Meaning of activity‑controlled airport and application of this instrument
(1) An airport is an activity‑controlled airport if:
(a) it is a core regulated airport; or
(b) it is mentioned in section 5.
(2) However, an airport is not an activity‑controlled airport if there is not an airport lease for the airport.
(3) A provision of this instrument that is stated to apply to a named airport does not apply to that airport if there is not an airport lease for the airport.
Part 2—Control of liquor
7 Purposes of Part
This Part is made for the purposes of sections 170, 173 and 177 of the Act.
8 New South Wales—Modified application of Liquor Act
(1) This section sets out modifications to the way that the Liquor Act 2007 (NSW) (the NSW Liquor Act) applies to Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport, Sydney West Airport, Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport.
(2) A reference in the NSW Liquor Act to the Commissioner of Police is taken to include a reference to the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, except for:
(a) a reference that relates to criminal intelligence (as defined in the NSW Liquor Act); or
(b) a reference in section 42, 79B or 90C of the NSW Liquor Act.
(3) A reference in the NSW Liquor Act to a police officer is taken to include a reference to a member or special member of the Australian Federal Police.
(4) A reference in the NSW Liquor Act to the local police or to the NSW Police Force is taken to include a reference to the Australian Federal Police.
(5) A protective service officer or special protective service officer of the Australian Federal Police is taken to be:
(a) an authorised person for the purposes of section 77 of the NSW Liquor Act; and
(b) an authorised person for the purposes of section 128 of the NSW Liquor Act; and
(c) an authorised officer for the purposes of section 150 of the NSW Liquor Act.
(6) In addition to the licensed premises specified in subsection 130E(1) of the NSW Liquor Act, section 130E also applies to licensed premises at Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport or Sydney West Airport that are not in a passenger terminal (as defined in section 130A of the NSW Liquor Act).
(7) In making a decision under section 130E of the NSW Liquor Act that applies to the licensed premises referred to in subsection (6) of this section, the Secretary (within the meaning of that Act) must have regard to:
(a) the matters mentioned in subsection 3(2) of the NSW Liquor Act; and
(b) the efficient and effective operation of the airport and provision of services to passengers.
(8) The NSW Liquor Act is further modified in its application to Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport, Sydney West Airport, Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2.
9 New South Wales—Modified application of Gaming and Liquor Administration Act
(1) This section sets out modifications to the way that the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 (NSW) (the GALA Act) applies in relation to the control of liquor at Sydney (Kingsford‑Smith) Airport, Sydney West Airport, Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport.
(2) A reference in the GALA Act to a police officer is taken to include a reference to a member or special member of the Australian Federal Police. However, such persons are not key officials for the purposes of the GALA Act.
(3) Section 11 of the GALA Act applies as if:
(a) a reference to the Commissioner of Police includes a reference to the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police; and
(b) a reference to the NSW Police Force includes a reference to the Australian Federal Police.
10 Transitional—existing liquor licences and sub‑licences at New South Wales airports
General licences and sub‑licences
(1) A person who, immediately before the commencement of this instrument, held a general licence or sub‑licence granted under Part 1A of the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 1997 in respect of premises is taken to have been granted the following kind of licence under the Liquor Act 2007 (NSW):
(a) if th
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.