Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASICs)

What is an ASIC?
Who needs an ASIC?
How does someone apply for an ASIC?
What does the application process involve?
How much does an ASIC cost?
What is involved in a background check for an ASIC?
What if an ASIC applicant has a criminal record?
What is the definition of an adverse criminal record?
What is an aviation-security-relevant offence?
What if a person's ASIC application is refused?
What obligations does an ASIC holder have?
Does an ASIC give a person an automatic right to access a secure area of an airport?
How should an ASIC be properly displayed?
Are there different types of ASICs?
Where can an applicant obtain further information regarding their application?
Where can further information be obtained?
Brochures
Related links

What is an ASIC?

An Aviation Security Identification Card, known as an ASIC, is an identification card which is used to identify a person who has been the subject of a background check. An ASIC is required to obtain unescorted access to the secure areas of security controlled airports that have regular public transport (RPT) services. ASICs are valid for up to two years.

The ASIC scheme is a layer of security that ensures that only people who have been background checked to a certain level are permitted to be in the secure areas of airports without supervision. The ASIC scheme aims to reduce the risk of unlawful interference with aviation, not just terrorism.

Who needs an ASIC?

Applicants should check with their supervisor or airport operator to see if they need to hold and display an ASIC. An operational need for an ASIC is required by a person before they may be issued an ASIC. People considered to have an operational need are:

People who require frequent access to all or part of a secure area of an airport where persons are required to display an ASIC and are either:

involved in the operation of an airport or aircraft; or
who require access because of their occupation or business, such as a courier or supplier; or

People who are required under the aviation security regulations to display an ASIC, such as baggage handlers, passenger screening officers and security guards, regardless of whether they need to access the secure area of an airport.

Visitors who need to access the airside area or any landside security zone of the airport need to wear a visitor identification card (VIC) and they must be supervised by a person displaying a valid ASIC until they leave that area or zone.

How does someone apply for an ASIC?

If someone needs an ASIC, they need to apply through an approved ASIC issuing body. For a current list of approved ASIC issuing bodies, please click this list of issuing bodies.

What does the application process involve?

Once an applicant has lodged their application, the issuing body will confirm the applicant's identity, confirm the applicant's operational need for an ASIC, request a background check of the applicant by AusCheck, and if necessary, confirm the applicant is not an unlawful non-citizen.

How much does an ASIC cost?

The cost of an ASIC varies slightly between issuing bodies. Applicants please contact issuing body for their current prices.

What is involved in a background check for an ASIC?

AusCheck, a unit of the Attorney Generals Department, is now responsible for coordinating the background checks of ASIC applicants and people who are involved in the issue of ASICs. The background checking process includes:

A criminal records check undertaken by CrimTrac, which is used to determine if an applicant has an adverse criminal record;
A security assessment conducted by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO); and if relevant
An unlawful non-citizen check conducted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

These background checks may take some time, so someone needing an ASIC should submit their application as soon as possible.

What if an ASIC applicant has a criminal record?

Depending on the offences that a person has committed, it may not be possible to obtain an ASIC. However, a person with an adverse criminal record is not eligible to be issued with an ASIC.

What is the definition of an adverse criminal record?

A person has an adverse criminal record if the person has been convicted of:

(a) an aviation-security-relevant offence and sentenced to imprisonment; or
(b) two or more aviation-security-relevant offences (with no imprisonment) one of which was received within 12 months of the criminal history check.

What is an aviation-security-relevant offence?

Only aviation security relevant offences are considered in determining whether a person has an adverse criminal record. An aviation-security-relevant offence is defined under Regulation 6.01 of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 to mean an offence of a kind mentioned in the following table against a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, or of any other country or part of a country:

Item	Kind of offence
1.	An offence involving dishonesty
2.	An offence involving violence or a threat of violence
3.	An offence involving intentional damage to property or a threat of damage to property
4.	An offence constituted by the production, possession, supply, import or export of a substance that is: (a) a narcotic substance within the meaning of the Customs Act 1901; or (b) a drug, within the meaning of: (i) regulation 10 of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958; or (ii) regulation 5 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
5.	An offence, of a kind dealt with in Part II of the Crimes Act 1914, against the Government of: (a) the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or (b) a country or part of a country other than Australia
6.	An offence against Part 2 of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991
7.	An offence against Part 5.3 of the Criminal Code
8.	An offence constituted by the production, possession, supply, import or export of explosives or explosive devices

What if a person's ASIC application is refused?

If someone's application for an ASIC is refused, they will be informed of the reason for that decision and their legal rights for a reconsideration or appeal. For more information, contact your issuing body.

If an applicant believes that their criminal history certificate has offences listed incorrectly, they should contact CrimTrac to arrange a correction to their record.

What obligations does an ASIC holder have?

You must return your ASIC to the issuing body within one month after

it expires
is cancelled
has been damaged, altered or defaced; or
you no longer have an operational need to enter a secure area.

You must notify your issuing body:

within seven days, if your ASIC is lost, stolen or destroyed
within 30 days, if you change your name

You must notify your issuing body or AusCheck within seven days, if you are convicted of an aviation-security relevant offence.

Notification must usually be in the form of a statutory declaration or police report.

Does an ASIC give a person an automatic right to access a secure area of an airport?

An ASIC does not give a person an automatic right to access a secure area.

Only the airport operator can give authorisation to access a secure area of the airport. The ASIC simply indicates that the holder has been background checked and that the check revealed that they are of suitable character to be in a secure area, if the airport operator authorises them to be there.

How should an ASIC be properly displayed?

An ASIC must always be properly displayed when the holder is in a relevant secure area. An ASIC is properly displayed if it is attached to a person's outer clothing:

above waist height; and
at the front or side of his or her body; and
with the whole front of the ASIC or VIC clearly visible.

A person is not properly displaying the ASIC or VIC if anything adhering to it obscures a photograph or anything else on it.

If someone has an invalid ASIC, incorrectly displays or misuses an ASIC, they may be fined or prosecuted.

Are there different types of ASICs?

A person must display a red ASIC to access the security restricted area of an airport and either a red or a grey ASIC to access the rest of the secure areas.

There are permanent and temporary ASICs, which may apply Australia-wide or may be specific to a particular airport.

A new red ASIC can be issued in substitution for a grey ASIC, or vice versa, if operationally necessary.

Where can an applicant obtain further information regarding their application?

For information on where your background check is up to, please contact your ASIC issuing body.

Where can further information be obtained?

The legislation relating to the ASIC scheme is the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004, the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005, the AusCheck Regulations 2007 and the AusCheck Act 2007.

Brochures

Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) - Discretionary Cards [PDF: 1338 KB]