CASA 79/20 — Dangerous Goods (Carriage of Spare Battery for Mobility Aid) Instrument 2020

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Legislation au F2020N00156 Not in force Notifiable Instrument

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Instrument number CASA 79/20

I, WARREN CRAIG MARTIN, Executive Manager, Regulatory Oversight, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under section 23 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

[Signed C. Martin]

Craig Martin
Executive Manager, Regulatory Oversight

11 December 2020

CASA 79/20 — Dangerous Goods (Carriage of Spare Battery for Mobility Aid) Instrument 2020

1 Name

  This instrument is CASA 79/20 Dangerous Goods (Carriage of Spare Battery for Mobility Aid) Instrument 2020.

2 Duration

 This instrument:

(a) commences on 1 January 2021; and

(b) is repealed at the end of 31 December 2022.

3 Definitions

Note   In this instrument, certain terms and expressions have the same meaning as they have in the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These include: AOC and Australian territory.

 In this instrument:

Act means the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

battery means a non-spillable wet battery, dry battery or nickel-metal hydride battery, that complies with Special Provision A67, A123 or A199, respectively, of the Technical Instructions.

 Note   The types of battery mentioned in this definition are specified in the Dangerous Goods List contained in the Technical Instructions.

CASR means the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

checked baggage has the meaning given by Part 1 of the CASR Dictionary.

relevant Australian aircraft means an Australian aircraft registered under Part 47 of CASR, which is operated by the holder of an AOC.

relevant passenger, for a flight of a relevant Australian aircraft within Australian territory, means a passenger for the flight who, because of a disability, the passenger’s health or age, or a temporary mobility problem, relies on a mobility aid for mobility.

Example   A wheelchair is a type of mobility aid.

spare battery, for a mobility aid, means a battery that can be used to replace a battery fitted to, and powering, the mobility aid.

Technical Instructions has the meaning given by subregulation 92.010 (1) of CASR.

4 Application

 This instrument applies if:

(a) a relevant passenger, for a flight of a relevant Australian aircraft within Australian territory, wishes to carry a spare battery, for the passenger’s mobility aid, on board the aircraft as checked baggage for the flight; and

(b) the total number of spare batteries, for the mobility aid, the passenger wishes to carry on board the aircraft as checked baggage for the flight is not more than the number of batteries fitted to, and powering, the mobility aid.

5 Permissions

 (1)For paragraphs 23 (2) (b) and (2A) (b) of the Act, the relevant passenger is permitted to carry the spare battery on board the aircraft as checked baggage for the flight.

 (2)For paragraphs 23 (1) (b), (2) (b) and (2A) (b) of the Act, the aircraft and aircraft’s operator are permitted to carry the spare battery in the aircraft’s hold during the flight.

 (3)The permissions are subject to the conditions stated in Schedule 1.

Note 1   Under subregulation 92.025 (2) of CASR, it is a condition of the carriage of dangerous goods on an aircraft that the operator of the aircraft complies with the requirements of the Technical Instructions stated in that subregulation.

Note 2   Under subregulation 92.030 (2) of CASR, subject to subregulation 92.030 (3) of CASR, it is a condition of the carriage of dangerous goods on an aircraft by a passenger that the passenger complies with the requirements of the Technical Instructions stated in subregulation (2).

Schedule 1 Conditions

 1 The operator must conduct a risk assessment in relation to the proposed carriage of the battery in the aircraft’s hold during the flight, and provide a copy of the risk assessment document to CASA on request.

 2 The operator must have given its written approval for the battery to be carried on board the aircraft as checked baggage for the flight.

 3 The relevant passenger must declare the battery to the operator’s check-in staff at the airport before the flight.

 4 The battery must, immediately before being brought onto the aircraft, be inspected by the operator’s personnel, and found to be free from visible leaks or damage.

 5 The battery must be secured in the aircraft’s hold, during the flight, in a way that prevents any movement in-flight that would change the battery’s orientation or cause damage to the battery.

 

Overview

The CASA 79/20 — Dangerous Goods (Carriage of Spare Battery for Mobility Aid) Instrument 2020 was enacted under section 23 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, addressing the need for clear regulations regarding the carriage of spare batteries for mobility aids on Australian aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), through its Executive Manager, Regulatory Oversight, aims to balance the safety concerns associated with transporting such dangerous goods with the practical needs of passengers who rely on mobility aids for their daily activities. This instrument applies specifically to passengers with disabilities or temporary mobility issues who require the use of mobility aids and wish to carry spare batteries on board an Australian aircraft as checked baggage, provided the number of spare batteries does not exceed those fitted to their mobility aid. The policy objective is to ensure that the carriage of these batteries complies with safety regulations while facilitating necessary travel accommodations for affected passengers. This instrument, which commenced on 1 January 2021 and is set to be repealed by 31 December 2022, mandates that aircraft operators conduct a risk assessment and provide written approval for the carriage of the spare battery. Additionally, it stipulates that passengers must declare the battery to the operator’s check-in staff, and the battery must be inspected for visible damage before being brought onboard. Furthermore, the battery must be secured in the aircraft’s hold to prevent any movement that could compromise its integrity during the flight. These measures are designed to mitigate potential risks while enabling passengers with mobility aids to travel safely and with their necessary equipment.

Scope and Application

The CASA 79/20 — Dangerous Goods (Carriage of Spare Battery for Mobility Aid) Instrument 2020 applies specifically to situations where a relevant passenger, travelling on a relevant Australian aircraft within Australian territory, wishes to carry a spare battery for their mobility aid on board the aircraft as checked baggage. The instrument permits the carriage of such a spare battery under certain conditions, provided the total number of spare batteries does not exceed the number of batteries fitted to and powering the mobility aid. This legislation applies to relevant passengers, Australian aircraft operators holding an AOC, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which oversees compliance with the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The instrument's jurisdiction is national, encompassing all relevant Australian aircraft operating within Australian territory. The permissions granted by this instrument are subject to conditions outlined in Schedule 1, which includes requirements for risk assessments, operator approval, passenger declaration, battery inspection, and secure placement in the aircraft’s hold during the flight. The instrument operates under the overarching framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, with compliance to the Technical Instructions also mandatory for the carriage of dangerous goods.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the CASA 79/20 Dangerous Goods (Carriage of Spare Battery for Mobility Aid) Instrument 2020 are sections 4 and 5. Section 4 outlines the application of the instrument, which is applicable when a relevant passenger intends to carry a spare battery for their mobility aid on board an Australian aircraft within Australian territory, provided the number of spare batteries does not exceed those required for the mobility aid. Section 5 grants permissions to the relevant passenger and the aircraft operator to carry the spare battery, subject to specific conditions detailed in Schedule 1. The obligations imposed by the Act include a requirement for the aircraft operator to conduct a risk assessment regarding the carriage of the battery in the aircraft's hold and to provide a copy of this assessment to CASA upon request. Additionally, the operator must give written approval for the battery to be carried as checked baggage. The relevant passenger must declare the battery to the check-in staff at the airport before the flight. Before boarding, the battery must be inspected by the operator’s personnel to ensure it is free from visible leaks or damage, and it must be secured in the aircraft’s hold during the flight to prevent movement that could change its orientation or cause damage. Failure to comply with the conditions outlined in Schedule 1 may result in civil or criminal consequences. For instance, under section 23(2)(b) of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, carrying a dangerous good on an aircraft without adhering to the regulations may result in penalties. The maximum penalty for contravening these provisions can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The specific penalties depend on the severity of the breach and are determined in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and any relevant regulations.

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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.