Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1957

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AIR NAVIGATION (CHARGES).

No. 87 of 1957.

An Act to amend the Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1952.

[Assented to 12th December, 1957.]

BE it enacted by the Queer’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1957.

(2.) The Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1952 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as, amended by this Act, may be cited as the Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1952–1957.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the first day of January, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight.

3. Section six of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—

Regulations.

“6.—(1.) The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

“(2.) The regulations may, in respect of a flight not specified in the Table in the First Schedule to this Act, prescribe a factor for the purposes of paragraph 4 of that Schedule.”.

First Schedule—paragraph 2.

4. Paragraph 2 in the First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following sub-paragraph:—

“(2.) This paragraph applies in relation to a flight commencing and ending at the one place in Australia without a landing at any other place in like manner as it applies in relation to a flight between places in Australia.”.

First Schedule—paragraph 4.

5. Paragraph 4 in the First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by omitting sub-paragraph (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-paragraph:—

“(1.) The amount of a charge payable under paragraph 2 of this Schedule is—

(a) in the case of a flight specified in the second column of the Table in this Schedule—the amount ascertained by multiplying the unit charge for the aircraft by which the flight is made by the factor specified in the third column of that Table opposite to that flight;

(b) in the case of a flight in respect of which a factor is prescribed by the Regulations for the purposes of this paragraph—the amount ascertained by multiplying the unit charge for the aircraft by which the flight is made by the factor so prescribed; and

First Schedule—paragraph 7.

6. Paragraph 7 in the First Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the following paragraph inserted in its stead:—

“7.—(1.) The unit charge for an aircraft is—

(a) where the weight of the aircraft does not exceed 20,000 pounds—the sum of an amount calculated at the rate of Threepence three-farthings for each 1,000 pounds or part of 1,000 pounds of the weight of the aircraft and an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount so calculated; and

(b) in any other case—the sum of an amount calculated at the rate of Fivepence farthing for each 1,000 pounds or part of 1,000 pounds of the weight of the aircraft and an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount so calculated.

“(2.) In this paragraph, ‘weight’, in relation to an aircraft, means the maximum all-up weight of the aircraft as specified in the Certificate of Airworthiness for the aircraft.”.

First Schedule—paragraph 9.

7. Paragraph 9 in the First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by omitting the words “between places in Australia” and inserting in their stead the words “to which paragraph 2 of this Schedule applies”.

First Schedule—Table.

8. The Table in the First Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the Table set out in the Schedule to this Act is inserted in its stead.

Second Schedule—paragraph 9.

9. Paragraph 9 in the Second Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the following paragraph inserted in its stead:—

“9.—(1.) The Minister or the Director-General of Civil Aviation may authorize such remission or refund of the whole or any part of the charge or additional charge (including further additional charge) payable or paid under this Schedule in respect of an aircraft as he thinks just having regard to the nature, locality or extent of the operations of the aircraft.

“(2.) A remission under this paragraph may be granted subject to such conditions with respect to the operation of the aircraft as the Minister or the Director-General of Civil Aviation thinks fit and, if any such condition is not complied with, the remission shall be deemed not to have had effect.”.

Third Schedule—paragraph 6.

10. Paragraph 6 in the Third Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the following paragraph inserted in its stead:—

“6.—(1.) The Minister or the Director-General of Civil Aviation may authorize such remission or refund of the whole or part of the charge payable under this Schedule in respect of an aircraft as he thinks just having regard to the nature, locality or extent of the proposed operations of the aircraft in Australia.

Application.

11. The amendments effected by this Act apply in the case of a charge payable—

(a) in respect of a flight between places in Australia that is completed on or after the date of commencement of this Act;

(b) in respect of the landing or take-off of an aircraft on or after that date;

(c) in relation to the registration of an aircraft registered under the Air Navigation Regulations on or after that date; and

(d) by the owner of a foreign aircraft in respect of a week or part of a week commencing on or after that date.

THE SCHEDULE. Section 8.

——

Table of Flights.

First Column.	Second Column	Third Column
Item. No.	Flights.	Factors.
1	Canberra–Adelaide..........................................	4
2	Canberra–Brisbane..........................................	5
3	Canberra–Darwin...........................................	10
4	Canberra–Melbourne.........................................	3
5	Canberra–Perth.............................................	12
6	Canberra–Sydney...........................................	1
7	Sydney–Adelaide...........................................	5
8	Sydney–Alice Springs........................................	6
9	Sydney–Armidale...........................................	2
10	Sydney–Bairnsdale..........................................	3
11	Sydney–Baradine...........................................	2
12	Sydney–Bathurst............................................	1
13	Sydney–Bourke............................................	2
14	Sydney–Brewarrina..........................................	2
15	Sydney–Brisbane...........................................	4
16	Sydney–Broken Hill.........................................	3
17	Sydney–Burren Junction.......................................	2
18	Sydney–Cairns.............................................	9
19	Sydney–Carinda............................................	2
20	Sydney–Casino.............................................	2
21	Sydney–Charleville..........................................	4
22	Sydney–Coff’s Harbour.......................................	2
23	Sydney–Collarenebri.........................................	2
24	Sydney–Coolah............................................	2
25	Sydney–Coolangatta.........................................	2
26	Sydney–Cooma............................................	2
27	Sydney–Coonamble..........................................	2
28	Sydney–Cootamundra........................................	2
29	Sydney–Corowa............................................	2
30	Sydney–Cowra.............................................	1
31	Sydney–Cunnamulla.........................................	3
32	Sydney–Darwin............................................	11
33	Sydney–Deniliquin..........................................	2
34	Sydney–Dubbo.............................................	2
35	Sydney–Evans Head.........................................	2
36	Sydney–Forster.............................................	1
37	Sydney–Glen Innes..........................................	2
38	Sydney–Goodooga..........................................	2
39	Sydney–Goondiwindi.........................................	3
40	Sydney–Grafton............................................	2
41	Sydney–Griffith............................................	2
42	Sydney–Gunnedah..........................................	2
43	Sydney–Hay...............................................	2
44	Sydney–Hillston............................................	2
45	Sydney–Hobart.............................................	6
46	Sydney–Inverell............................................	2
47	Sydney–Kempsey...........................................	2
48	Sydney–Lae...............................................	14
49	Sydney–Lake Cargelligo.......................................	2
50	Sydney–Launceston..........................................	5
51	Sydney–Lord Howe Island.....................................	2
52	Sydney–Mallacoota..........................................	2
53	Sydney–Mildura............................................	3
54	Sydney–Moree.............................................	2
55	Sydney–Moruya............................................	1

The Schedule—continued.

First Column.	Second Column.	Third Column.
Item No.	Flights.	Factors.
56	Sydney–Mungindi..........................................	2
57	Sydney–Narrabri...........................................	2
58	Sydney–Narrandera..........................................	2
59	Sydney–Narromine..........................................	2
60	Sydney–Norfolk Island.......................................	2
61	Sydney–Nowra............................................	1
62	Sydney–Nyngan............................................	1
63	Sydney–Oakey.............................................	3
64	Sydney–Parkes.............................................	2
65	Sydney–Perth.............................................	13
66	Sydney–Port Moresby........................................	12
67	Sydney–Port Macquarie.......................................	2
68	Sydney–St. George..........................................	3
69	Sydney–Stanthorpe..........................................	3
70	Sydney–Tamworth..........................................	2
71	Sydney–Taree.............................................	2
72	Sydney–Temora............................................	1
73	Sydney–Tocumwal..........................................	2
74	Sydney–Tooraweenah........................................	2
75	Sydney–Toowoomba.........................................	4
76	Sydney–Townsville..........................................	8
77	Sydney–Wagga Wagga.......................................	2
78	Sydney–Walgett............................................	2
79	Sydney–Warren............................................	2
80	Sydney–West Wyalong.......................................	2
81	Sydney–Wilcannia..........................................	2
82	Sydney–Williamtown........................................	1
83	Sydney–Wollongong.........................................	1
84	Brisbane–Barcaldine.........................................	3
85	Brisbane–Blackall...........................................	3
86	Brisbane–Bourke...........................................	3
87	Brisbane–Bowen...........................................	3
88	Brisbane–Bundaberg.........................................	1
89	Brisbane–Cairns............................................	5
90	Brisbane–Charleville.........................................	2
91	Brisbane–Clermont..........................................	3
92	Brisbane–Cloncurry.........................................	5
93	Brisbane–Coff’s Harbour......................................	2
94	Brisbane–Cunnamulla........................................	2
95	Brisbane–Darwin...........................................	9
96	Brisbane–Daydream Island.....................................	3
97	Brisbane–Emerald..........................................	2
98	Brisbane–Evans Head........................................	2
99	Brisbane–Gayndah..........................................	1
100	Brisbane–Gladstone.........................................	1
101	Brisbane–Glen Innes.........................................	2
102	Brisbane–Goondiwindi.......................................	1
103	Brisbane–Grafton...........................................	2
104	Brisbane–Hayman Island......................................	3
105	Brisbane–Heron Island.......................................	2
106	Brisbane–Horn Island........................................	7
107	Brisbane–Innisfail...........................................	4
108	Brisbane–Inverell...........................................	2
109	Brisbane–Kingaroy..........................................	1
110	Brisbane–Lae..............................................	10
111	Brisbane–Lindeman Island.....................................	3
112	Brisbane–Longreach.........................................	4
113	Brisbane–Lord Howe Island....................................	2
114	Brisbane–Mackay...........................................	3
115	Brisbane–Madang...........................................	11
116	Brisbane–Maryborough.......................................	1

The Schedule—continued.

First Column.	Second Column.	Third Column
Item No.	Flights.	Factors.
117	Brisbane–Mitchell...........................................	2
118	Brisbane–Monto............................................	2
119	Brisbane–Moree............................................	2
120	Brisbane–Mount Isa.........................................	5
121	Brisbane–Oakey............................................	1
122	Brisbane–Port Moresby.......................................	8
123	Brisbane–Proserpine.........................................	3
124	Brisbane–Quilpie...........................................	2
125	Brisbane–Rabaul............................................	12
126	Brisbane–Rockhampton.......................................	2
127	Brisbane–Roma............................................	2
128	Brisbane–St. George.........................................	2
129	Brisbane–Tamworth.........................................	2
130	Brisbane–Tennant Creek......................................	6
131	Brisbane–Thangool..........................................	2
132	Brisbane–Townsville.........................................	4
133	Brisbane–Townsville, by way of Whitsunday Islands....................	3
134	Brisbane–Williamtown.......................................	3
135	Brisbane–Winton...........................................	4
136	Brisbane–Wondai...........................................	1
137	Melbourne–Adelaide.........................................	4
138	Melbourne–Alice Springs......................................	6
139	Melbourne–Bairnsdale........................................	2
140	Melbourne–Ballarat..........................................	1
141	Melbourne–Balranald........................................	2
142	Melbourne–Benalla..........................................	1
143	Melbourne–Brisbane.........................................	8
144	Melbourne–Broken Hill.......................................	3
145	Melbourne–Cowra..........................................	3
146	Melbourne–Coolangatta.......................................	6
147	Melbourne–Cooma..........................................	2
148	Melbourne–Corowa..........................................	2
149	Melbourne–Darwin..........................................	11
150	Melbourne–Deniliquin........................................	2
151	Melbourne–Devonport........................................	2
152	Melbourne–Dubbo..........................................	4
153	Melbourne–Echuca..........................................	2
154	Melbourne–Flinders Island.....................................	2
155	Melbourne–Hamilton.........................................	2
156	Melbourne–Hobart..........................................	4
157	Melbourne–Kerang..........................................	2
158	Melbourne–King Island.......................................	2
159	Melbourne–Launceston.......................................	3
160	Melbourne–Mildura.........................................	3
161	Melbourne–Mount Gambier....................................	2
162	Melbourne–Narrandera.......................................	2
163	Melbourne–Nhill...........................................	2
164	Melbourne–Perth...........................................	12
165	Melbourne–Port Moresby......................................	16
166	Melbourne–St. Helens........................................	3
167	Melbourne–Shepparton.......................................	1
168	Melbourne–Swan Hill........................................	2
169	Melbourne–Sydney..........................................	4
170	Melbourne–Tocumwal........................................	2
171	Melbourne–Wagga Wagga.....................................	2
172	Melbourne–Warrnambool......................................	2
173	Melbourne–West Sale........................................	2
174	Melbourne–Williamtown......................................	5
175	Melbourne–Wynyard.........................................	2
176	Adelaide–Alice Springs.......................................	5
177	Adelaide–Brisbane..........................................	7

The Schedule—continued.

First Column	Second Column.	Third Column.
Item No.	Flights.	Factors.
178	Adelaide–Broken Hill........................................	2
179	Adelaide–Ceduna...........................................	2
180	Adelaide–Cleve............................................	1
181	Adelaide–Cowell...........................................	1
182	Adelaide–Darwin...........................................	9
183	Adelaide–Forrest............................................	4
184	Adelaide–Hobart............................................	6
185	Adelaide–Kingscote.........................................	1
186	Adelaide–Launceston.........................................	4
187	Adelaide–Leigh Creek........................................	2
188	Adelaide–Maralinga.........................................	2
189	Adelaide–Mildura...........................................	2
190	Adelaide–Mount Gambier......................................	2
191	Adelaide–Nhill.............................................	2
192	Adelaide–Perth.............................................	8
193	Adelaide–Port Lincoln........................................	1
194	Adelaide–Port Pirie..........................................	1
195	Adelaide–Renmark..........................................	1
196	Adelaide–Tennant Creek......................................	6
197	Adelaide–Whyalla...........................................	1
198	Adelaide–Woomera..........................................	2
199	Perth–Albany..............................................	2
200	Perth–Broome.............................................	6
201	Perth–Carnarvon............................................	2
202	Perth–Ceduna..............................................	6
203	Perth–Darwin..............................................	8
204	Perth–Derby...............................................	6
205	Perth–Dubbo..............................................	11
206	Perth–Esperance............................................	2
207	Perth–Forrest..............................................	4
208	Perth–Geraldton............................................	2
209	Perth–Kalgoorlie............................................	2
210	Perth–Katherine............................................	8
211	Perth–Learmonth...........................................	3
212	Perth–Leonora.............................................	2
213	Perth–Marble Bar...........................................	2
214	Perth–Meekatharra..........................................	1
215	Perth–Meekatharra, by way of Geraldton............................	3
216	Perth–Narromine............................................	11
217	Perth–Norseman............................................	2
218	Perth–Onslow..............................................	3
219	Perth–Point Cloates..........................................	3
220	Perth–Port Hedland, by way of coastal route..........................	4
221	Perth–Port Hedland, by way of inland route..........................	2
222	Perth–Roebourne, by way of coastal route...........................	4
223	Perth–Roebourne, by way of inland route............................	2
224	Perth–Rottnest Island.........................................	1
225	Perth–Southern Cross.........................................	1
226	Perth–Wittenoom Gorge.......................................	2
227	Perth–Wyndham............................................	7
228	Hobart–Launceston..........................................	2
229	Hobart–Devonport..........................................	2
230	Hobart–Wynyard...........................................	2
231	Darwin–Alice Springs........................................	4
232	Darwin–Cloncurry..........................................	4
233	Darwin–Daly Waters.........................................	1
234	Darwin–Derby.............................................	2
235	Darwin–Dubbo.............................................	9
236	Darwin–Groote Eylandt.......................................	1
237	Darwin–Hall’s Creek.........................................	1
238	Darwin–Katherine...........................................	1

The Schedule—continued.

First Column.	Second Column.	Third Column.
Item No.	Flights.	Factors.
239	Darwin–Narromine...........................................	9
240	Darwin–Townsville...........................................	6
241	Darwin–Wagga Wagga........................................	9
242	Darwin–Wyndham...........................................	1
243	Darwin–Yirrkala............................................	1
244	Alice Springs–Angus Downs....................................	1
245	Alice Springs–Brunette Downs...................................	1
246	Alice Springs–Creswell Downs...................................	1
247	Alice Springs–Katherine.......................................	2
248	Alice Springs–Lucy Creek......................................	1
249	Alice Springs–Mount Isa, by way of Argadargada.......................	1
250	Alice Springs–Mount Isa, by way of Creswell Downs....................	2
251	Alice Springs–Roper River......................................	2
252	Alice Springs–Tieyon.........................................	1
253	Alice Springs–Utopia.........................................	1
254	Alice Springs–Wyndham.......................................	2
255	Cairns–Cooktown............................................	1
256	Cairns–Horn Island...........................................	2
257	Cairns–Lae................................................	6
258	Cairns–Mackay.............................................	2
259	Cairns–Madang.............................................	7
260	Cairns–Mitchell River Mission...................................	2
261	Cairns–Port Moresby..........................................	4
262	Cairns–Proserpine............................................	2
263	Cairns–Rabaul..............................................	8
264	Cairns–Wrotham Park.........................................	1
265	Charleville–Birdsville.........................................	1
266	Charleville–Broken Hill........................................	1
267	Charleville–Cloncurry.........................................	2
268	Charleville–Leigh Creek.......................................	1
269	Cloncurry–Burketown.........................................	1
270	Cloncurry–Jundah............................................	1
271	Cloncurry–Longreach.........................................	2
272	Cloncurry–Mornington Island....................................	1
273	Cloncurry–Mount Isa.........................................	1
274	Cloncurry–Normanton.........................................	1
275	Cooktown–Horn Island........................................	2
276	Cowra–West Wyalong.........................................	1
277	Derby–Cape Leveque.........................................	1
278	Derby–Fitzroy Crossing........................................	1
279	Derby–Glenroy.............................................	1
280	Derby–Hall’s Creek..........................................	1
281	Derby–Port Hedland..........................................	2
282	Derby–Wyndham............................................	1
283	Geraldton–Carnarvon.........................................	1
284	Geraldton–Meekatharra........................................	1
285	Geraldton–Onslow...........................................	1
286	Geraldton–Port Hedland........................................	2
287	Lae–Madang...............................................	1
288	Lae–Rabaul................................................	2
289	Port Hedland–Point Cloates.....................................	1
290	Port Moresby–Lae...........................................	2
291	Port Moresby–Madang........................................	3
292	Port Moresby–Rabaul.........................................	4
293	Rockhampton–Cairns.........................................	3
294	Rockhampton–Longreach.......................................	2
295	Rockhampton–Townsville......................................	2
296	Rockhampton–Townsville, by way of Longreach.......................	4
297	Tamworth–Armidale..........................................	1
298	Tamworth–Gunnedah.........................................	1
299	Tamworth–Inverell...........................................	1

The Schedule—continued.

First Column.	Second Column.	Third Column.
Item No.	Flights.	Factors.
300	Tamworth–Port Macquarie...........................	1
301	Townsville–Bowen................................	1
302	Townsville–Cairns................................	2
303	Townsville–Cloncurry..............................	2
304	Townsville–Hughenden.............................	1
305	Townsville–Lae..................................	6
306	Townsville–Longreach.............................	2
307	Townsville–Madang...............................	7
308	Townsville–Mount Isa..............................	2
309	Townsville–Port Moresby...........................	4
310	Townsville–Rabaul................................	8

Overview

The Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1957, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, serves to amend the Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1952. The primary aim of this legislation is to update and refine the regulatory framework governing air navigation charges in Australia, ensuring that it remains relevant and effective in accommodating changes in the aviation industry. The Act introduces modifications to the charge calculation methodology and updates the factors applied to different flight routes, while also providing flexibility for the Governor-General to issue regulations that are not inconsistent with the Act. These regulations can address flights not explicitly listed in the schedule, thereby ensuring comprehensive coverage. The amendments introduced by this Act apply to charges payable in respect of flights completed, landings or take-offs, aircraft registrations, and foreign aircraft operations occurring on or after the Act's commencement date.

Scope and Application

The Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1957 amends the Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1952, applying to charges payable in respect of flights between places in Australia completed on or after January 1, 1958, landings or take-offs of aircraft on or after that date, the registration of aircraft registered under the Air Navigation Regulations on or after that date, and charges by owners of foreign aircraft for weeks or parts of weeks commencing on or after that date. This Act applies nationally across Australia and extends its application through subordinate regulations, which may prescribe factors for flights not specified in the schedule. The Act allows the Governor-General to make regulations for carrying out the Act, including prescribing factors for flights not specified in the schedule, and it permits the Minister or the Director-General of Civil Aviation to authorize remissions or refunds of charges payable, subject to certain conditions. The Act includes specific provisions for the calculation of unit charges based on aircraft weight and sets out a table of flights with corresponding factors for determining charges.

Key Provisions

The Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1957 primarily amends the Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1952. It introduces changes to the calculation and application of charges for air navigation services. Section 1 sets out the citation of the Act and refers to the Principal Act. The Act comes into effect on 1 January 1958, as stated in section 2. Section 3 replaces section 6 of the Principal Act, allowing the Governor-General to make regulations necessary for implementing the Act, including factors for flights not specified in the schedule. The obligations under the Act primarily revolve around the calculation and payment of air navigation charges. The amended section 4 of the First Schedule, referenced in section 4, extends the application of charges to flights within Australia that do not land at other places. Section 5 modifies the method for calculating charges, introducing factors for specified flights and allowing for prescribed factors for other flights, as well as maintaining a base charge for unspecified flights. Section 6 replaces the previous method for calculating the unit charge for aircraft, specifying different rates based on the aircraft's maximum all-up weight, as stated in section 6. Section 7 amends section 9 of the First Schedule, aligning the application of paragraph 2 with the new charge calculation methods. Section 8 replaces the entire Table in the First Schedule, listing specific flights and their corresponding factors. The application of these amendments, as outlined in section 11, covers charges for flights, landings, take-offs, and registrations occurring after the Act's commencement date, as well as charges by foreign aircraft owners for weeks starting after the date. The consequences of breaching the provisions of the Act, including failure to pay the specified charges or non-compliance with regulations, can lead to enforcement actions by the Minister or the Director-General of Civil Aviation. While the Act does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, breaches of aviation regulations typically result in civil penalties, which may include fines or other corrective measures, as well as potential criminal charges for serious violations.

Area of Law: Commercial Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Regulatory Standards; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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