CASA, Australia’s civil aviation safety regulator, was established on 6 July 1995 as an independent statutory authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

Key role

CASA’s key role is to conduct the safety regulation of civil air operations in Australian territory and the operation of Australian aircraft outside Australian territory. While safety of air navigation is the most important consideration, CASA is also responsible for fostering the efficient use of, and equitable access to, Australian-administered airspace.

CASA, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development, Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence constitute Australia’s aviation safety framework, each with separate and distinct functions, but working together as parts of an integrated system.

In keeping with CASA’s fundamental obligations, efforts are maintained and promoted at all times to ensure our decision-making and actions are lawful, fair, reasonable and consistent, and in all cases contribute to optimal safety outcomes, while not unnecessarily impeding the efficiency of the operations we regulate.

Portfolio outcome

CASA has a single portfolio outcome, which is set by the Australian Government and outlined in the Portfolio Budget Statements:

Maximise aviation safety through a regulatory regime, detailed technical material on safety standards, comprehensive aviation industry oversight, risk analysis, industry consultation, education and training.

People

At 30 June 2019, CASA employed 859 ongoing and non-ongoing employees in offices around Australia.

Operating environment

CASA has a direct regulatory relationship with approximately:

• 31,750 pilots
• 15,620 registered aircraft
• 785 air operator certificate holders
• 1,630 remotely piloted aircraft operator certificate holders
• 9,030 licensed aircraft maintenance engineers
• 1,160 air traffic controllers
• 320 operators of certified and registered aerodromes
• 610 maintenance organisations.

CASA is also indirectly connected with more than 100,000 people who are involved in the Australian aviation industry, and with the many millions of passengers whose safety is CASA’s primary concern.

Corporate objectives

CASA’s objectives for 2018–19 were identified in the CASA Corporate Plan 2018–19 to 2021–22.

Vision

Safe skies for all

Mission

To promote a positive and collaborative safety culture through a fair, effective and efficient aviation safety regulatory system, supporting our aviation community

Values

• Teamwork – to work together to promote a strong, cohesive and highly effective workforce
• Excellence – to strive to excel in all we do
• Respect – to engage with our peers, colleagues and the wider aviation community in a clear, concise and respectful manner at all times
• Integrity – our actions and behaviour are open, transparent and ethical
• Fairness – to ensure our actions and decisions are informed, consistent, risk-based, evidence driven and without bias
• Innovation – to challenge existing practices and look for opportunities to support effective continuous improvement
• Courage – to act with strength of character and conviction while being accountable for our actions.

Goals

1. Maintain and enhance a fair, effective and efficient aviation safety regulation.

2.Collaborative engagement with the wider aviation community to promote and support a positive safety culture.

3. Continuous improvement of organisational performance.

Results

As demonstrated by trends in aviation accidents or incidents, CASA delivered its portfolio outcome effectively. Feedback from the 2018 stakeholder survey showed a strong improvement across all aspects of CASA’s relationship with industry.

Against CASA’s three corporate goals:

– 26 of 28 measures of success against key performance indicators were completed or on track, while two were possibly delayed

– 25 of 30 intended outcomes in key performance areas were completed or on track, while four were possibly delayed and one was delayed.