1Statement of Expectations for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority from 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2027

Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

Civil Aviation Act 1988

Statement of Expectations for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority from
1 November 2025 to 30 June 2027

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I, Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, make the following instrument.

Dated: 13/10 2025

Catherine King

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

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Overview

This instrument is the Statement of Expectations for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority from 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2027.

This Statement of Expectations (SoE) applies from 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2027, and replaces the current SoE made on 13 June 2023.

This SoE serves as a notice to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under section 12A of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) and sets out my expectations on CASA's strategic direction and the manner in which it should perform its functions.

Governance

I expect the Board of CASA (the Board) and the Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) to continue to enable and enhance the effective operation of CASA as Australia's aviation safety regulator.
I expect the Board to be responsible for the matters set out in the Act, including CASA's strategic direction, risk management and corporate planning.
I also expect the Board to facilitate effective interaction between CASA and all stakeholders. I expect the CASA Board to be transparent in carrying out its functions, for example by publishing on the CASA website a communique of matters discussed at each Board meeting.
Subject to the Act, I expect the DAS, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CASA, to be responsible for managing CASA's operations, and the performance of its statutory functions, including developing and implementing effective and efficient regulatory, operational, financial, personnel and administrative activities.
I expect CASA to keep me and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (the Department) fully informed of its activities, and to promptly advise of any events or issues that may materially impact on its operations, including through providing quarterly progress reports on adherence to its Corporate Plan and compliance with this SoE.
I expect the Board to undertake a regular assessment of its own skills and capabilities and to advise me and the Department on any gaps or enhancements required, as well as on forthcoming Board vacancies.
I expect the Board to manage both perceived and actual conflicts of interest, and to publish its procedures for the management of conflicts of interest on its website.

Strategic direction and manner of performance

I expect CASA to regard the safety of air navigation as the most important consideration.
I expect CASA to perform its functions in accordance with the Act, the Airspace Act 2007 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, as well as all other applicable legislation.
I expect CASA to perform its functions consistent with Australia's international obligations, particularly those connected with the International Civil Aviation Organization and obligations under the Chicago Convention.
I expect CASA's resources to be used in a proper manner, following best practice principles and guidelines.
I expect that the conduct and values of CASA's Board and staff will be consistent with those of the Australian Public Service.
I expect that CASA will continue to be a world leading aviation safety regulator and will help to fulfil Australia's commitments to the Asia-Pacific region.
I expect CASA to keep me informed about its public submissions, media releases, major speeches and other details for which the Government is accountable to the Parliament and the community. I further expect CASA to cooperate with Parliamentary Committees and other Commonwealth public accountability mechanisms.
I expect CASA to fully consider the impact of new regulations on general aviation, and rural and remote regions.
I expect CASA to have a publicly available document setting out its regulatory philosophy, and to implement its regulatory approach in accordance with that philosophy.

Key Initiatives

I expect CASA to:

release an exposure draft of proposed regulations for industry and stakeholder consultation before draft regulations are submitted to me for consideration, unless the matter is urgent, and/or any delay would impact on aviation safety;
provide me with a forward annual regulatory program, including a report on how industry and stakeholder views have been considered as part of CASA’s Corporate Plan each year;
work with Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence to develop and implement the OneSKY project, through timely approval and certification, in addition to the continuing regulatory oversight of Australia's existing air traffic management system;
work with the Department and Airservices Australia to facilitate the integration and expansion of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations in Australian airspace by providing proportionate and fit-for-purpose regulatory oversight of the safety aspects of emerging aviation operations;
provide regulatory oversight for major aerodrome infrastructure projects, including significant new runway projects, as well as advising me and the Department on leased federal airport developments;
apply sufficient resources to the regulatory oversight of the development of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and associated airspace, noting the Government's stated intent of having the airport open to traffic in 2026;
share safety information consistent with the Safety Information Policy Statement agreed with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB);
work with the Australian Space Agency to advance Australia's space policies and industries;
Continue to work closely with the Department to develop options to address CASA’s long-term financial sustainability for Government’s consideration;
work with the Department to pursue appropriate mutual recognition and bilateral arrangements to support the recognition of Australian designs, innovation and certification internationally, and to minimise red tape in transitioning between jurisdictions, such as the automatic recognition of licences and approvals;
Deliver Aviation White Paper initiatives for which CASA holds responsibility including to:

    support the development and implementation of Australia's Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) ecosystem, as outlined in the UTM Action Plan and other relevant policies;
    prepare a new framework for Australian airspace in 2026, the Australian Future Airspace Framework, which will establish an evidence and risk-based approach to Australian-administered airspace architecture;
    work with Geoscience Australia and Airservices Australia to implement satellite-based augmentation systems in the aviation environment; and
    deliver skills and licensing initiatives to streamline training and accreditation pathways for the aviation workforce including licensed aviation maintenance engineers;
apply sufficient resources to the Office of the Industry Complaints Commissioner within CASA, and give due consideration to all findings and recommendations made by that Commissioner; and
undertake regular surveillance activities pursuant to section 9(1)(f) of the Act, and provide regular summaries of surveillance activities to me and the Department.

Stakeholder Engagement

I expect CASA to:

1. engage clearly, transparently and regularly with stakeholders regarding CASA's activities and functions, including regulatory development;

2. engage effectively with Government and each of the various sectors which comprise the Australian aviation community;

3. work closely with the Department and other agencies, including the ATSB, Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence, to deliver integrated and comprehensive safety advice to Government, the aviation industry and the community; and

4. proactively provide information, assistance and advice to Government agencies for policy formulation, implementation activities and regulation purposes.

   Schedules

Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1—Repeals

Statement of Expectations for the Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for the Period 27 March 2017 to 30 June 2019 (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2017L00288)

1 The whole of the instrument

Repeal the instrument.

Statement of Expectations for the Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for the Period 15 July 2019 to 30 June 2021 (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2019L00977)

2 The whole of the instrument

Repeal the instrument.

Statement of Expectations for the Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for the period 31 January 2022 to 30 June 2023 (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2022L00061)

3 The whole of the instrument

Repeal the instrument.

Statement of Expectations for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025 (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2023L00920)

4 The whole of the instrument

Repeal the instrument.