CASA EX18/25 — Pre-deployment Drug and Alcohol Testing Exemption 2025

What this does: This instrument gives airlines and aviation companies (called "DAMP organisations") a limited exemption from the usual drug and alcohol testing rules. Normally, when someone starts working in a safety-sensitive aviation job (like a pilot or aircraft engineer), their employer must test them for drugs and alcohol after they join. This exemption lets employers skip that post-hire test if the person was already tested within the last 90 days before starting and passed.

Who it affects:

• DAMP organisations — aviation companies that have a Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (these are airlines, charter operators, and other aviation businesses with safety-sensitive roles)
• Regular SSAA employees — people working in "safety-sensitive aviation activities" (jobs where being impaired could endanger aircraft operations, such as flying planes, maintaining aircraft, or air traffic control)

Why it matters: This prevents unnecessary double-testing. If someone was tested by a previous employer or during recruitment in the last 90 days, they don't need to be tested again immediately upon starting a new job. This reduces administrative burden while maintaining safety standards, provided the previous tests were properly conducted and came back negative.

Key conditions:

• The previous tests must have been taken less than 90 days before starting the new role