Goal 1 outcomes
To achieve Goal 1, CASA focuses its efforts on maintaining, enhancing and promoting aviation safety, as set out in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and in accordance with all government directions. CASA’s work centres on enhancing oversight and surveillance, continuing the regulatory implementation program, continuing to reform Australian-administered airspace and continuing effective enforcement to secure compliance with safety standards.
Status of intended outcomes
At 30 June 2019, of the 17 intended outcomes in place against this goal, 76 per cent were assessed as being completed or on track, 18 per cent had possible delays and 6 per cent were delayed.
Key achievements
- The flight operations regulations – Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Parts 91, 119, 121, 133, 135 and 138 – were made on 6 December 2018 and commence in March 2021. CASA revised the flight crew fatigue rules following an independent review of those rules; the new rules are expected to be made in July 2019.
- Transition arrangements for CASR Parts 141 and 142 ceased on 1 September 2018. A total of 203 existing operators and 39 new operators were assessed against the revised requirements.
- CASA exceeded its surveillance goals under the National Surveillance Selection Process, achieving 98 per cent of scheduled surveillance against a target of 90 per cent.
Progress in key focus areas
CASA tracks its progress in achieving Goal 1 in seven key focus areas across four key performance areas: ‘Develop regulatory framework’ (focus areas 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3); ‘Entry control’ (1.4 and 1.7); ‘Compliance assurance’ (1.5); and ‘Address non-compliance’ (1.6).
Key performance area – Develop regulatory framework
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Focus area |
Promote and improve CASA’s regulatory philosophy |
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Intended outcome |
Implement and monitor compliance with the principles of CASA’s regulatory philosophy |
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Progress GREEN |
Actual or apparent departures from the principles of the regulatory philosophy are assessed and addressed appropriately. |
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Intended outcome |
Refine and extend presentation of regulatory philosophy workshops to include industry and community participants |
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Progress AMBER |
The refinement and extension of the regulatory philosophy implementation workshops was affected by a decision to give priority to the final series of Regulatory Reset training sessions. Some minor adjustments have been made to the material presented, with a view to resuming the workshop program with full industry and community involvement. The next session is planned for early 2019–20. |
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Focus area |
Ensure the Australian civil aviation safety regulatory regime is complete and optimised for aviation safety performance, taking a pragmatic, practical and proportionate approach to regulation as it applies to risk in different industry sectors |
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Intended outcome |
Finalise the last tranche of the regulatory program |
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Progress AMBER |
The planning for Parts 103, 105 and 131 has been approved and instructions for all three Parts are with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. These Parts relate to sport and recreational aviation, sport parachuting and manned free balloons. The Manual of Standards for Part 105 is on track to be made in 2019 and the Manuals of Standards for the other Parts will be made in early 2020. The draft advisory circular for Part 149 (Approved Self-administering Aviation Organisations) was finalised for public consultation in June. Implementation of Part 149 is progressing, with the regulations to commence in July 2019. The post-implementation review regulation package for Part 139 (Aerodromes) was made in February 2019 and the Manual of Standards was settled in June. The Civil Aviation Order 48.1 Instrument 2019 (fatigue rules for flight crew and operators) was finalised and will be registered in August 2019. Drafting of the Manual of Standards for the rewritten Subpart 139.H (Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services) is underway, with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development leading the rewrite of the regulation. The Manuals of Standards for Parts 91, 121, 133, 135 and 138 are to be made by the end of 2019. |
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Intended outcome |
Complete transition to the flight crew licensing suite of regulations |
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Progress GREEN |
The transition for CASR Parts 141 and 142 has been completed. However, additional CASA staff training is proposed for 2019–20. |
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Intended outcome |
Complete the remotely piloted aircraft systems regulatory roadmap, commence consultation and consider appropriate implementation strategies of the roadmap |
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Progress GREEN |
A draft roadmap was completed in December 2018. |
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Intended outcome |
Implement agreed safety performance indicators |
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Progress GREEN |
Accident and fatal accident analysis reports were considered at all 11 meetings of the Aviation Safety Committee during the period. The findings from a quarterly trend monitoring report were also considered at the meetings, with data from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. |
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Intended outcome |
Maintain CASA’s obligations under ICAO and other international agreements |
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Progress GREEN |
CASA’s development of a business-as-usual continuous monitoring program for the regular review, management and update of Australia’s compliance with the 1,015 protocol questions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme is underway and will be enhanced with the completion of an automated solution in late 2019. Australia has 39 Corrective Action Plans to address, 35 of which CASA is responsible or jointly responsible for. Of the 39 plans, 13 have been completed; the remaining 26 have various completion dates, ranging from 2019 to 2023, and are on track for completion. CASA’s senior leadership team position descriptions have been updated to reflect ICAO accountabilities and responsibilities. CASA participates in the cross-agency team which has contributed to the development of a multi-agency memorandum of understanding that includes ICAO engagement, with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development as the central coordinator, to support and coordinate Australia’s State Safety Program and flow of safety information. The parties to the memorandum are:
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Focus area |
Provide lead regulator role for the OneSKY project* *OneSKY is a joint Defence/Airservices Australia project to acquire a new air traffic management surveillance data processing and display system. |
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Intended outcome |
Oversight the safety aspects of the OneSKY project following contract signature in February 2018 |
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Progress GREEN |
CASA has participated in all aspects of planning, training and safety documentation review for the OneSKY project. The resulting collaboration between CASA, Thales and Airservices Australia will ensure that any risks associated with commissioning the new air traffic control system are addressed prior to the final certification process. |
Key performance area – Entry control
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Focus area |
Improve the client experience through the provision of regulatory and licensing services |
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Intended outcome |
Implement digitally-enabled client service tools as part of CASA Service Delivery Transformation |
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Progress GREEN |
By the end of 2018–19, 82 per cent of online aviation reference number applications were being processed automatically. This has increased from 56 per cent since the introduction of the online application process. The remote pilot licence application and remotely piloted aircraft operator certificate renewal components were fully deployed and are performing to expectations: 100 per cent of the transactions are being completed through the system well within service delivery timeframes. Work continues on the aircraft registration phase of the Service Delivery Transformation program. |
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Intended outcome |
Develop designated aviation medical examiner (DAME) liaison, support and surveillance tools to increase confidence and capacity in the medical certification framework |
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Progress GREEN |
The internal audit of aviation medicine was submitted for management comment in June 2019. Management comments were provided, and the recommendations gave clear direction on how DAME liaison, support and surveillance tools can be configured to increase confidence and capacity in the medical certification framework. These actions will form part of a review of aviation medicine and CASR Part 67 during 2019–20. |
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Focus area |
Provide airworthiness assurance for all Australian aircraft and Australian designed and/or built aircraft operating internationally |
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Intended outcome |
Adopt an international airworthiness strategy in order to identify opportunities for recognition with other National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) across the airworthiness spectrum |
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Progress GREEN |
Following the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between CASA and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA NZ), CASA and CAA NZ are working to finalise arrangements on an airworthiness certification arrangement and mutual recognition of approved maintenance organisations. The arrangements are expected to provide mutual benefits to both authorities and to industry. The aim is to finalise the arrangements before the end of 2019. CASA also continued to work with the European Aviation Safety Agency to establish a certification arrangement. The timeframe for its completion is uncertain due to circumstances beyond CASA’s control. |
Key performance area – Compliance assurance
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Focus area |
Conduct regulatory services and surveillance of the aviation industry to assure aviation safety performance |
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Intended outcome |
Complete implementation of the National Surveillance Selection Process, a nationally coordinated systematic approach to prioritisation of scheduled surveillance activity across CASA |
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Progress GREEN |
Phase 3 of the National Surveillance Selection Process was completed as defined in the endorsed Phase 3 Project Management Plan, and reported on monthly to CASA’s Business Improvement Oversight Program Board and Oversight Executive Group. |
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Intended outcome |
Continuously improve audit methodology to ensure CASA conducts effective, efficient and proportionate oversight of all industry sectors |
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Progress GREEN |
The National Surveillance Selection Process Manual (version 1) and CASA Surveillance Manual (version 4), which were published in May 2019, incorporate various continuous improvement activities. Phase 1 of CASA’s Regulatory Services and Surveillance Transformation Program was completed with the design of a new operating model for Regulatory Services and Surveillance, and was endorsed by the CASA Board on 19 June 2019. The design is the first of three phases in a broad transformation program. |
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Intended outcome |
Foster greater consistency in decision making and regulatory interpretation across CASA offices |
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Progress GREEN |
The Regulatory Reset training is complete. Twenty-three sessions were conducted for more than 400 attendees. Regulatory Services and Surveillance Transformation Program work regarding consistency in decision-making is ongoing and includes reviews of selected business processes to ensure that first-principle reviews are complete and associated policies and procedures are effective and efficient. CASA’s Oversight Executive Group provides a forum where complex decisions and regulatory matters are considered from a national perspective. |
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Intended outcome |
Regularly review Australian airspace and implement initiatives identified in the Australian Airspace Policy Statement |
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Progress GREEN |
The Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) conducted all necessary airspace reviews based on commitments outlined in the OAR annual workplan and additional reviews triggered by an assessment of risks or incidents. The OAR completed all requests for temporary airspace and continues to progress airspace change proposals submitted by Airservices Australia to support its five-year airspace modernisation program. The OAR also processed a number of other airspace change requests from external organisations, such as those required for Australian Defence Force exercises. |
Key performance area – Address non-compliance
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Focus area |
Develop modern enforcement strategies, policies and practices |
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Intended outcome |
Publish a proposed revised enforcement framework for CASR Part 13 for public consultation and comment |
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Progress AMBER |
Draft Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 13 remains under review to ensure that current and anticipated legislative and policy changes are incorporated. Other regulatory development tasks, including now critical work on consequential, transitional and savings provisions for the operational suite of new regulations, took priority during 2018–19. Once this work is complete, arrangements will be made to advance Part 13. |
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Intended outcome |
Publish a discussion paper on the nature and level of penalties in the civil aviation legislation for public comment |
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Progress RED |
This work remains suspended pending completion of the CASR Part 135 review and the possible introduction of a new CASR Part 43. Given the central status of those Parts, it would be premature to initiate a review of the kind contemplated at this time. |
Looking ahead
- CASA will establish an arrangement with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand to provide for a certain level of reciprocal recognition of design and certification approvals, which will reduce the burden of regulatory duplication on CASA and the aviation industry. In addition, CASA aims to establish a technical support network of external individuals and organisations to provide CASA with specialised technical and engineering knowledge.
- CASA will establish sub-agreements under the memorandum of understanding between CASA and the Defence Aviation Safety Authority. The aim is to work towards more streamlined acceptance of CASA approvals in the Defence system without releasing unknown safety risks, and to utilise each other’s technical expertise where practicable.
- CASA will continue work with Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence to improve drone surveillance capabilities, including at major airports and in Sydney Harbour restricted airspace.
- CASA will continue to develop a new national operating model. The Regulatory Services and Surveillance Transformation Program will support the aviation community while meeting CASA’s oversight obligations in accordance with regulatory requirements. The new model will combine the roles, skills, structures, processes and technologies to enhance CASA’s ability to deliver regulatory services and surveillance activities more effectively and efficiently.
Visit
https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/civil-aviation-safety-authority/reporting-year/2018-2019-31