Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005
Select Legislative Instrument No. 18, 2005
made under the
Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and the Aviation Transport Security (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004
Compilation No. 78
Compilation date: 1 April 2026
Includes amendments: F2026L00224
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 April 2026 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).
Application, saving and transitional provisions
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Presentational changes
The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary
1.01 Name of Regulations
1.03 Definitions
1.03A Meaning of originate in relation to known consignors
1.04 What properly displaying means
1.05 Meaning of valid ASIC, valid VIC and valid TAC
1.05A Categories of airports
1.06 Prescribed air services
1.08 Security designated authorisations
1.09 Weapons
Part 2—Transport security programs
Division 2.1—Preliminary
2.01 Definitions for Part
2.02 Security contact officers
2.03 Aviation industry participants that must have TSPs
2.04 Aviation industry participants to which more than 1 Division applies
2.05 What all TSPs must contain
2.06 Offence—disclosing TSPs without consent
Division 2.2—Operators of security controlled airports
2.07 What this Division does
2.08 Application of this Division
2.09 Scope of airport operator’s TSP
2.10 What airport operator’s TSP must contain—outline etc.
2.11 What airport operator’s TSP must contain—procedures for managing security etc
2.12 What airport operator’s TSP must contain—procedures for quality control
2.13 What airport operator’s TSP must contain—description of airport
2.14 Required information about proposed security zones at airport operator’s airport
2.15 What airport operator’s…
Overview
The Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005, enacted under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and the Aviation Transport Security (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004, aim to provide a comprehensive framework for aviation security in Australia. These regulations, which were made by the Australian Government and have been subject to various amendments over the years, establish detailed requirements for transport security programs, the issuance and management of aviation security identification cards, and other security measures to protect the nation's aviation infrastructure from threats. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to enhance the security of Australia's aviation sector, ensuring that all stakeholders, including airport operators, aircraft operators, and cargo handlers, implement robust security measures to prevent unlawful interference with aircraft and airports, thereby safeguarding public safety and national security.
Scope and Application
The Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005, as amended, establish a framework for the implementation of security measures in the Australian aviation industry. These regulations apply to various entities including airport operators, aircraft operators, and Airservices Australia, all of which are required to have a Transport Security Program (TSP) detailing their security measures. The scope of the Act is Commonwealth-wide and includes provisions for the identification and issuance of aviation security identification cards (ASICs), the screening of passengers and baggage, and the regulation of weapons within secure areas of airports. The Act also sets out offences related to the misuse of security identification cards and the unauthorised disclosure of TSPs. Exclusions and thresholds are defined in the regulations, and certain provisions may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments. For example, the Secretary has the authority to issue compliance control directions to aviation security inspectors, which may dictate additional screening requirements or other security measures.
Key Provisions
- The Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005, made under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004, provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the security of Australia’s aviation transport system. These regulations cover a wide range of areas, including the establishment and content of transport security programs (TSPs) for operators of security controlled airports and prescribed air services, as well as the procedures for screening and clearing passengers, baggage, and cargo. They also define the types of security identification cards (ASICs) that must be properly displayed by individuals in secure areas of airports, and detail the categories of airports and the types of weapons that may be carried under specific circumstances. Furthermore, the regulations establish categories of aviation security offences, with varying penalties depending on the severity of the offence.
- The regulations impose several obligations on the parties and entities they govern. Operators of security controlled airports and prescribed air services must develop and maintain TSPs that outline their security measures and responsibilities, including the appointment of security contact officers and the procedures for managing security risks. These programs must be reviewed and audited regularly to ensure compliance and effectiveness. Additionally, the regulations mandate that individuals in secure areas of airports must display valid security identification cards, and that certain individuals, such as law enforcement officers and emergency personnel, are exempt from this requirement under specific conditions. The regulations also specify the requirements for screening and clearing passengers, baggage, and cargo, including the screening of liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) and the handling of prohibited items.
- Failure to comply with the provisions of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 may result in criminal or civil penalties. For example, disclosing the content of a TSP without consent is an offence, punishable by a penalty of 50 penalty units. Similarly, not properly displaying a security identification card in a secure area of an airport is an offence carrying a penalty of 5 penalty units. The regulations also impose penalties for failing to comply with screening and clearance procedures, such as not screening checked baggage or not ensuring that checked baggage is cleared before being loaded onto an aircraft. Other offences include the unauthorised loading of cargo, which carries a penalty of 100 penalty units, and the failure to notify the issuing body or the Secretary of past convictions for aviation security-relevant offences, which carries a penalty of 20 penalty units. The regulations also provide for the imposition of infringement notices for certain breaches, with penalties set at one-fifth of the maximum penalty for the corresponding offence. In addition to criminal penalties, non-compliance may also result in the suspension or revocation of security identification cards or transport security programs, and may impact an individual's eligibility to hold a security designated authorisation.
- Area of Law
- Environmental Law
- Criminal Law
- Aviation Law
- Instrument
- Regulation
- Concepts
- Definitions & Interpretation
- Offence Provisions
- Licensing & Registration
- Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
- Enforcement Powers
- Compliance Obligations
