Statement of Expectations for Airservices Australia for the Period 15 July 2019 to 30 June 2021

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2019L00978 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

 

AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA

 

STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS 2019-2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Statement of Expectations – Airservices Australia

 

Outline

 

The Statement of Expectations (SOE) was issued by the Australian Government as a notice under section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 (the Act) to Airservices Australia (Airservices).

 

Section 17 of the Act provides that the Minister may notify the Board of Airservices in writing of the Minister’s views on the appropriate strategic direction for Airservices and the manner in which it should perform its functions.

 

This SOE outlines the Minister’s expectations for Airservices in regard to its operations and performance over the period 15 July 2019 to 30 June 2021.

 

Airservices is expected to comply with relevant legislation and to keep the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (the Department), informed of Airservices’ actions in relation to this SOE, and events and issues that impact on Airservices’ operations.

 

The SOE emphasises the need for Airservices, in conducting its roles, to support key aviation initiatives including in relation to air traffic and aviation and rescue fire fighting services, aviation environment, safety and capability building in the Asia-Pacific region and the management of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) responsibilities.

 

The SOE also outlines the Government’s expectations in relation to the way Airservices conducts its functions and the need for consultation and engagement with the community, industry and Government agencies.

 

Details of the SOE are set out in the Attachment.

 

Airservices was consulted in finalising the SOE.

 

Notices issued under section 17 of the Act are a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003.

 

The SOE commences on 15 July 2019 and expires at the end of 30 June 2021 as if it had been repealed by another SOE.

 

Authority: Section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995.

 

 

ATTACHMENT

 

Details of the Statement of Expectations

 

Section 1: Overview

This section outlines the legislative framework and purpose for issuing the Statement of Expectations to the Airservices Board. It also outlines that this SOE replaces the previous SOE, will commence on 15 July 2019 and cease having effect from 30 June 2021.

 

Section 2: Governance

 

The section includes the expectation that the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will continue to operate Airservices as a world leading Air Traffic Control and Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Services provider (ARFFS).

 

This section includes the expectation that the Board will ensure that Airservices has sufficient resources to effectively meet its stated strategic directions, risks and corporate functions.

 

This section includes the expectation that the Airservices’ CEO is responsible for the management of Airservices operations, its organisational capacity and its functions.

 

This section outlines the Government’s expectation that the Board will keep the Minister and the Secretary informed of Airservices’ actions in relation to the expectations of the SOE, advising quickly of developments that may impact Airservices’ operations, including through quarterly reports against the Corporate Plan and SOE. 

 

Section 3: Key Aviation Activities

 

This section outlines the Government’s expectations that Airservices in performing its functions has regard to a number of key aviation initiatives.

 

Paragraph (a) – Civil-Military Air Traffic Management

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will progress the timely, on-budget and effective implementation of the new civil-military air traffic management program, known as the OneSKY project, including harmonisation initiatives with the Department of Defence (Defence), and advise the Minister on its progress.

Paragraph (b) - Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) Implementation
This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will work closely with the Department and CASA to ensure the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including the development and implementation of a UAS traffic management system that complements the Government’s broader approach to this sector.

Paragraph (c) – Modernising Airspace Protection

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will work with the Department and CASA in progressing Australia’s airspace protection policy, enhancing the safety and efficiency of Australian controlled airspace, providing adequate resources to manage airspace planning and design, and continue the use of Required Navigation Performance approaches at Australian airports following appropriate consultation.

 

Paragraph (d) – Implement the Government’s Environmental Initiatives

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will assist in implementing the Government’s environmental initiatives including minimising the impact of aircraft operations on communities, supporting the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman and Noise Complaints and Information Service, the Sydney Airport Long Term Operating Plan, take action on PFAS, and reporting on Airservices’ own initiatives.


Paragraph (e) – Implement Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFFS) Policy

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will work with the Department and CASA on implementing the Government’s ARFFS Policy.

 

Paragraph (f) – International Engagement

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will continue to strengthen aviation safety through engagement with ICAO as well as safety and capability building initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Section 4: Stakeholder Engagement

 

This section outlines the Government’s expectation of Airservices when engaging with stakeholders.

 

Paragraph (a) – Stakeholder Engagement Approach

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices, in performing its functions, continues to have regard to effective and timely stakeholder engagement.

 

Paragraph (b) – Engagement and Communication with Industry

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices undertakes effective and ongoing engagement with community, industry and Government on the development and implementation of significant changes by Airservices to air traffic services and ARFFS.

 

Paragraph (c) – Provide Assistance to Other Government Agencies

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices engages constructively in processes where it can to provide information, assistance or advice for policy formulation, implementation and regulation undertaken by Government agencies.

 

Paragraph (d) – Contribute and Participate in Airport Planning

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will contribute to a coordinated approach to airport planning and participate in planning coordination forums, community aviation consultation groups, and the National Airports Safeguarding Advisory Group.

 

Paragraph (e) – Portfolio Arrangements

This paragraph sets out the expectation that Airservices will continue to work closely with the Department, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, CASA and Defence to deliver integrated and comprehensive safety advice to the Government, aviation industry and community.

Overview

The Air Services Act 1995, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serves to regulate and oversee the provision of air services within Australia, ensuring safety, efficiency, and economic efficiency in the aviation sector. The Act establishes the framework for the operations of Airservices Australia, which is responsible for managing Australia’s air traffic control and aviation rescue and fire-fighting services. The Air Services Act 1995 was introduced to address the need for a cohesive legal framework that governs the management of air services and ensures the safety and efficiency of the Australian airspace. The Statement of Expectations issued under section 17 of the Act provides guidance to Airservices Australia on the strategic direction and operational performance expected by the Government for the period from 15 July 2019 to 30 June 2021. This SOE emphasizes the importance of supporting key aviation initiatives, including the integration of civil and military air traffic management, the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and the enhancement of Australia’s airspace protection policy. Additionally, it outlines the need for effective stakeholder engagement and the implementation of the Government’s environmental and aviation rescue and fire-fighting policies.

Scope and Application

The Statement of Expectations (SOE) issued under section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 applies to Airservices Australia, a statutory corporation established under the Air Services Act. The SOE outlines the Australian Government's strategic direction and operational expectations for Airservices over the period from 15 July 2019 to 30 June 2021. It requires Airservices to comply with relevant legislation, maintain communication with the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development, and adhere to specific operational and strategic directives outlined in the document. The SOE applies nationally as Airservices operates across Australia's airspace and international borders as part of its air traffic management and aviation rescue and fire-fighting responsibilities. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds, but the SOE provides detailed guidance on areas such as civil-military air traffic management, integration of unmanned aircraft systems, airspace protection, environmental initiatives, and international engagement. The SOE itself is a legislative instrument under the Legislation Act 2003, and any subordinate instruments or regulations that extend or further define the SOE’s application would need to be reviewed in conjunction with this overarching directive.

Key Provisions

The Statement of Expectations (SOE) issued under section 17 of the Air Services Act 1995 provides guidance to Airservices Australia for the period from 15 July 2019 to 30 June 2021. This SOE replaces the previous one and sets out the Australian Government's expectations regarding Airservices' operations and performance. Section 1 outlines the purpose of the SOE, its legislative basis, and its timeframe. Sections 2 to 4 detail specific expectations in terms of governance, key aviation activities, and stakeholder engagement. The Board of Airservices Australia is expected to ensure the company has sufficient resources and operates as a world-leading provider of air traffic control and aviation rescue and fire-fighting services (Section 2). Airservices is also expected to support key aviation initiatives such as the OneSKY project, the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and the implementation of aviation rescue and fire-fighting policy (Section 3). Additionally, Airservices must maintain effective and timely stakeholder engagement, particularly with industry, government agencies, and the community (Section 4). Airservices Australia is obligated to operate in accordance with the SOE, ensuring it meets the strategic directions and expectations outlined therein. This includes ensuring sufficient resources are in place to support the company's functions and strategic objectives. The Board and CEO are required to keep the Minister and the Secretary informed of actions taken in relation to the SOE, particularly any developments that might impact operations. Airservices must also engage with stakeholders effectively, particularly in relation to significant changes to air traffic services and aviation rescue and fire-fighting services. Furthermore, Airservices is expected to contribute to the development and implementation of key aviation initiatives, including civil-military air traffic management, the integration of UAS, and the implementation of aviation rescue and fire-fighting policy. Breaches of the SOE or failure to comply with the Minister's expectations may have implications, though specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the SOE itself. The SOE is a legislative instrument under the Legislation Act 2003, and while it does not create new offences, non-compliance could lead to scrutiny or review by the Minister or other government bodies. The consequences of non-compliance may include recommendations for corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or adjustments to the SOE for subsequent periods. The SOE is a tool for guiding Airservices' operations rather than a regulatory framework with explicit penalties for non-compliance.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Administrative Law
Instrument
Statutory Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Licensing & Registration
Consultation Requirements
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.