Background
There has been a Regulated Agent scheme in place since 1 February 1996, regulating freight forwarders and couriers who security clear international air freight. This scheme was established through regulations under the Air Navigation Act 1920 to provide a procedure for the security clearance of international air freight and meet Australia's obligations as a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (CICA).
The environment in which the aviation industry operates was changed permanently by the terrorist attacks carried out in the USA on 11 September 2001. In response to these events, the Government announced a complete restructure of the aviation security system in December 2002. The security of aviation in Australia, including air cargo is a responsibility shared by government and industry. Industry participants who are responsible for security include Regulated Air Cargo Agents (RACA).
The Aviation Transport Security Act (ATSA) 2004, and its accompanying Regulations commenced on 10 March 2005. At that time, relevant provisions of the current Air Navigation Act 1920 and the Air Navigation Regulations 1947 were repealed, including the previous Regulated Agent scheme. The ATSA and Regulations provide a revised regulatory framework for international and domestic air cargo security, with domestic air cargo security being regulated for the first time. Under this new regulatory framework all organisations handling or making arrangements for air cargo are required to implement an approved Transport Security Program.