Air Cargo Security

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport is responsible for regulating and monitoring air cargo security on behalf of the Australian Government.

To prevent unlawful interference with aviation, the Australian Government has in place measures that require air cargo to be security cleared before it can be loaded on an aircraft. These measures apply to businesses that security clear, handle or make arrangements for the transport of international and domestic air cargo.

On 9 February 2010, the Australian Government announced the ‘Strengthening Aviation Security’ initiative; a comprehensive package of measures to strengthen Australia’s international and domestic aviation security regime against emerging threats. Over four years, the Government will invest $200 million on new and improved security technologies, increased policing at airports, enhanced security procedures, as well as strengthened international cooperation.

As part of this package, the Government will introduce a number of measures to help secure Australia’s air cargo supply chain. The ‘Securing the Supply Chain’ program dedicates $54.2 million to air cargo security. The program will provide support for industry to install cargo screening technologies at selected locations. This funding will also establish a regulated shipper scheme, which will allow for the identification of high-risk cargo for technical examination. Updates to this website will be made as program details are finalised.

Supply Chain Security for Air Cargo is regulated under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 and administered under the Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RACA) and Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA) schemes. 

The RACA scheme regulates air cargo security for a range of industry participants including:

• couriers, freight forwarders and cargo agents;
• cargo terminal operators at airports;
• express post services;
• regular international postal services; and
• operators/truck drivers who transport air cargo between cargo terminals.

The Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA) Scheme extends the existing Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RACA) Scheme to cover smaller operators with less complex business operations, such as couriers and contract drivers.

Both Schemes apply to cargo to be carried on an aircraft from anywhere in Australia. More information about these schemes is available through the links below.

• Background

  Background information on the Regulated Agent scheme, the Aviation Transport Security Act (ATSA) 2004 and Regulations which provide a revised regulatory framework for international and domestic air cargo security.

• The Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA) Scheme

  The Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA) Scheme has been introduced to tighten security over the land transportation of cargo that may be carried on an aircraft.

  The Australian Government is taking action to reduce the risk of unauthorised explosives being inserted into cargo carried on an aircraft.

• Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RACA) Scheme

  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 RACAs.

• Regulated Air Cargo Agents (RACA) list

  Link to the Regulated Air Cargo Agents list.

• International Security Declarations (ISD)

  Information on the requirements for International Security Declarations.

• Information materials for Regulated Air Cargo Agents (RACAs)

  Information materials about the increased security measures which now apply to air cargo can be downloaded or ordered from the department.