Temporary Aircrew Cards (TACs)

What is a TAC?

A Temporary Aircrew Card (TAC) is an identification card that may be used instead of a Visitor Identification Card (VIC) by employees and contractors of airlines travelling with an aircraft to access secure zones of security controlled airports.

Unlike a VIC, a TAC may be used at multiple airports.  The intent of TACs is to allow airline employees and contractors who don’t have their ASIC to continue to work without major disruption as they are often required to fly to multiple airports as part of their employment.

TACs are not needed in areas that are generally accessible to passengers or the public.

Who can issue a TAC?

Only airlines that conduct regular public transport operations may issue TACs if they have been approved to do so under their Transport Security Program.  There is no requirement that a TAC issuer needs to issue Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASICs) or VICs.  

Who can be issued with a TAC?  

A TAC can be issued to a person who is:

• A current holder of an ASIC who doesn’t have their ASIC on them or some who has applied for an ASIC; and is
• An employee or contractor of an airline approved to issue TACs; and is
• A person who requires access to more than one security controlled airport at the time of issue as part of their employment e.g. pilots, aircrew or engineers; and is
• Travelling on a regular passenger transport aircraft.

An employee of an aircraft operator who is not actually travelling aboard a flight may not be issued a TAC, for example engineers performing on the line or ramp (unless they are travelling with the aircraft and require access to more than one airport). In these circumstances a VIC would be more appropriate.

What are the conditions for holding a TAC?

• The holder of a TAC must be supervised by an ASIC holder at all times whenever they are in a secure area.
• A TAC may be valid for a maximum of seven days.
• If a TAC is issued for longer than 72 hours it must display an expiry date along with the name and a recent photo of the TAC holder.

What are the responsibilities of a TAC issuer?

An aircraft operator approved to issue TACs may only issue TACs to their own employees or contractors. They cannot issue on behalf of another aircraft operator. However, a TAC issuer can utilise the services of another organisation for the physical production of the TAC.

TAC issuers are required to keep a register of every TAC issued which must contain the following information:

• Name of the person being issued the TAC
• ASIC number of the person being issued the TAC, or if they are an ASIC applicant, the name of the issuing body who is processing the person’s ASIC
• A unique TAC number
• Dates of issue and expiry of the TAC
• If applicable, the day the TAC  was returned, cancelled, lost, reported stolen or destroyed

Each record within the TAC register must be maintained for 24 months in a form that can be conveniently audited (typically through an electronic record). The register must be stored at the office of the TAC issuer with access on request to transport security inspectors during normal working hours.

Where can further information be obtained?

The legislation relating to TACs is the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005.

Airlines wanting to issue TACs should contact the Office of Transport Security responsible for their state.   

Communications Material for Download

The following documents are available for download:

• TAC Fact Sheet (based on this web page) [PDF: 25 KB] [DOC: 41 KB]
• TAC PowerPoint presentation [PPT: 2525 KB]
• TAC Poster [PDF: 2087 KB]
• TAC holder obligations wallet card [PDF: 99 KB]