[Peetwo]

Supp Estimates AQON/Add Docs etc.

ASA:

QON 156:

Topic: AIRSERVICES - Brisbane BACACG meetings

Senator Bridget McKenzie asked:

Is ASA aware why the Minister announced the cessation of attendance by the department's
representatives for Brisbane BACACG meetings when discussion on aircraft flight paths and
aircraft noise remains ongoing?

Answer:

No such announcement was made.

QON 157:

Topic: AIRSERVICES - Recommendations from the Impact and Mitigation of Aircraft Noise
Senate Inquiry

Senator Bridget McKenzie asked:

1. Has AirServices Australia reviewed the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the
Impact and Mitigation of Aircraft Noise and to what extent has the organisation sought
to operationalise the the recommendations?
2. Why has ASA not complied with Senate Recommendation 16 to improve its community
engagement framework and develop robust processes in relation to Noise Action Plan
for Brisbane Phase 6, Package 3?
The Committee recommends that AirServices Australia builds upon work already
undertaken to improve its community engagement framework by urgently developing
robust processes for considering, responding to, and where applicable, implementing
outcomes of consultation processes.
3. Why has the ASA not complied with Recommendation 20 of the Impact and Mitigation
of Aircraft Noise Report to work to create a modern, user-friendly website that provides
a single source of truth for the community?
The committee recommends that the Department works with AirServices Australia, the
Aircraft Noise Ombudsman and aviation industry stakeholders to create a modern,, user
friendly website that provides a single source of truth for the community. This process
should include comprehensive community consultation.

Answer:

1. Yes. Airservices Australia is not the lead agency for all recommendations; however, we
are working closely with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts to deliver a coordinated response to
those recommendations that fall within our remit.
2. The Australian Government tabled its response to the Senate Standing Committee’s
report, including Recommendation 16, on 3 November 2025. The government supports
this recommendation and has set expectations for Airservices to apply best-practice
consultation when designing airspace and flight path changes.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local
Government, the Hon Catherine King MP released a new Statement of Expectations for
Airservices on 1 November 2025 requiring Airservices to undertake and publish biennial
reviews into the implementation of Airservices Community Engagement Standard.
Airservices will undertake a review of its Community Engagement Standard in 2026 and
intends to consult with the community during this process.
3. The government has agreed in principle to Recommendation 20. Airservices and the
department will continue to collaborate on continuous improvement to provide highquality information to the public including through existing websites and enhanced
community feedback mechanisms.

CASA:

QON 159:

Topic: CASA - Uncrewed Aerial System approval wait-times

Senator Andrew Bragg asked:

1. What is the average wait-time for CASA approvals when it comes to Uncrewed Aerial
Systems?
2. I’ve been told that an application to fly a “complex drone operation” requires a specific
approval, and the specific approval takes upward of 12 months. Is that correct?
3. Is CASA aware of the effect these long wait times are having on the industry?

Answer:
1. Median times for specific drone-related approvals can be found on the Civil Aviation
Safety Authority’s (CASA) website
2. The median processing time for the last month for this application type was 78 days and
we expect this to further reduce as we roll out initiatives such as Broad Area Beyond
Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) approvals.
3. Yes.

QON 160:

Topic: CASA - Alternative approval models

Senator Andrew Bragg asked:

1. Is CASA exploring alternative approval models? (NB: They will say yes, but their current
proposed solutions only address small drones/simple operations)
2. If so, what alternatives is CASA exploring?
3. How long will it be before CASA begins trailing alternative approval processes?
4. By how much are those alternative approval models expected to cut wait times?

Answer:

1. Yes. As this industry sector has matured over the past decade and risks have become
better understood globally, opportunities have been identified that are aimed at
reducing direct Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) involvement in assessment of a
range of activities including certain Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations,
training, and medium category RPAS operations.
2. CASA is considering how to improve application and assessment pathways for remotely
piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC) holders for Operations Over and Near
People (OONP). CASA is considering under certain conditions how RPA operations can be
conducted above 400ft for ReOC holders without CASA approval.
3. The following is underway:
a. Broad Area Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) pathways
(https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/flight-au...ays(trial)) are being trialled by CASA to permit
approved operators to self-assess BVLOS operations in certain circumstances.
These are operations where the remote pilot can undertake operations within
having visual sight of the RPAS and therefore enabling much wider use of the
RPAS to conduct more varied missions.
b. CASA is trialling a new process to help Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) training
organisations add medium remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) to their courses. The
trial reduces delays and paperwork. It gives training organisations faster access
to new medium RPA models.
c. CASA no longer conducts an operational check for operators seeking to apply for
an Extended visual line of sight (EVLOS) approval.
d. CASA has commenced the trial for broad area BVLOS flight operations for 12
months until 15 October 2026. Whilst the Medium remotely piloted aircraft
(RPA) remote pilot licence (RePL) training alleviation commenced in September
2025. The RPAS and AAM Roadmap (https://www.casa.gov.au/resources-andedu...mapupdates) explains CASA’s plan for regulating RPAS and AAM into the future. Consultation is open for research and
development pathways for uncrewed operations.
(https://consultation.casa.gov.au/regulat...dp-2521us/)
4. CASA estimates the introduction of Broad Area BVLOS will see an approximate reduction
in the number of BVLOS application by approximately 30%. This will result in time
savings across all regulatory service types as well as further stimulating industry.
Processing times for related-related approvals, these can also be found on the CASA
website: (casa.gov.au/service-delivery-statistics)

QON 161:

Topic: CASA - Designating 'trusted operators'

Senator Andrew Bragg asked:

What’s stopping CASA from designating ‘trusted operators’, rewarding good engineering
and processes so credible industry players can get on with it safely?

Answer:

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) approach to oversighting industry is integrated
into the regulatory framework and there is no separate "trusted operator" designation. The
scope and frequency of oversight CASA undertakes is informed by an operators’ experience,
historical compliance, track record of safe operations and other risk factors.

QON 162:

Topic: CASA - Drone company failures

Senator Andrew Bragg asked:

Is CASA aware of the string of high-profile failures of drone companies, moves overseas, and
avoidance of the Australian market due to regulatory delays?

Answer:

No.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is aware of some Australian companies expanding
their operations into international markets. CASA is further aware of an increase in
international companies commencing operations in Australia.

CASA is not aware of any avoidance of the Australian market due to aviation safety
regulatory delays.