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2. Objectives and Activities of the Mission

2.1 The audit was carried out following the standard auditing procedures provided for in ICAO Doc 9735 Safety Oversight Audit Manual with the objective of reviewing the relevant activities in Australia to determine whether the safety oversight-related SARPs of Annexes 1, 6 and 8, related provisions in other Annexes and their associated guidance material were being followed. Furthermore, the objective was also to offer advice, as applicable, to the CASA in implementing these provisions.

2.2 The audit team reviewed the national legislation through which the safety oversight-related SARPs of Annexes 1, 6 and 8 are implemented. An audit was made of the level of implementation of these SARPs as well as of the associated guidance material and practices. Particular attention was given to the presence of an adequate organization, the method of certification and supervision of flight operations, ground and flight personnel qualifications, training programmes, the overall system of safety awareness, the mechanism for accident prevention and supervision of continuing airworthiness. All the aspects were reviewed in light of the nature and extent of aviation operations in Australia.

2.3 The availability of qualified airworthiness and operations inspectors and licensing personnel was audited, as was the supporting organizational, managerial and administrative structure. The following items were specifically reviewed by the audit team:

1. that there was a clear policy covering the regulation of airworthiness, operations and personnel licensing;
2. that a system was in place for the certification of commercial aircraft operators and the approval of maintenance organizations;
3. that periodic training was given to inspectors and licensing personnel, and whether appropriate training records were kept;
4. that appropriate reference material, including ICAO documentation, was available;
5. that provisions existed for the revocation of licences and certificates if unsafe conditions were identified; and
6. that adequate budgetary arrangements existed to enable the CASA to carry out its obligations and responsibilities in the most efficient and effective manner.

2.4 The findings and recommendations contained in this report reflect the capabilities and limitations of the civil aviation organization of Australia during the period of the audit. Thus, the report presents the result of the audit on the basis of evidence made available to the audit team, including results from interviewing Australias technical experts and background information provided by such personnel, review and analysis of civil aviation legislation, specific regulations, related documentation and file records. Gathering of evidence was appraised by the audit team members to complete the contents of this report.

Considering the time available to conduct an audit and the fact that the safety oversight audit team members can only review and analyse information and documentation made available by the State, it is possible that some safety concerns may not have been covered during the audit.