Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RACA) Scheme

The Australian Government requires that air cargo is to be security cleared before it can be loaded on an aircraft. These security measures place specific requirements on businesses that handle or make arrangements for the transport of international and domestic air cargo.  Under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and Regulations, businesses that security clear, handle or make arrangements for the transport of international and domestic air cargo that has been security cleared must be a Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RACA). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government administers the RACA scheme.

Applying to become a Regulated Air Cargo Agent

In order to become a Regulated Air Cargo Agent you must apply in writing to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. To apply to become a designated RACA please complete the Regulated Air Cargo Agent Application Form. If your business/legal entity has a registered trading name associated with your air cargo operations please provide a copy of your Business Name Registration Certificate with your application. 

RACA Application Form [DOC: 185 KB]

The completed application form and supporting documents can be submitted by email to national.coordinator@infrastructure.gov.au or by fax to 02 6245 4300.

It may also be posted to:

National Coordinator
GPO Box 1966
Canberra ACT 2601

On receipt of your application a determination will be made into your business' suitability to be a designated RACA, and the Office of Transport Security will then contact you about your application.

If your business is suitable to be designated as a RACA the next step in becoming a RACA is to complete a Transport Security Program, a Security Risk Assessment, and a Statement of Undertaking.  The Office of Transport Security will provide you guidance material, advice and documentation to assist you in developing and submitting a Transport Security Program.

A RACA Transport Security Program must detail the security measures and procedures for managing security for their operations, protecting their people, assets and infrastructure against acts that may lead to unlawful interference with aviation. A Transport Security Program is a legally binding document that a RACA must comply with and is subject to audit and inspection by the Department.

Regulated Air Cargo Agents are responsible for:

• developing and implementing a Transport Security Program (TSP) based on a thorough security risk assessment of their operations;
• providing a statement of undertaking giving effect to specific obligations imposed under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 (including the TSP);  
• security checking, and protecting the security of all cargo from receipt until it leaves their possession; and 
• providing their employees with skills-based security training (for more information on RACA training (please visit www.racasecuritytrainingqas.com.au/default.asp )

Submitting Transport Security Programs

The Department recommends that you lodge requests for approval of or enquiry about new, revised or altered Transport Security Programs by email to national.coordinator@infrastructure.gov.au

Please ensure that Transport Security Programs are submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format and that any password protection has been removed prior to submission. This will ensure the Transport Security Program can be uploaded to the Department's secure database for assessment and consideration for approval.

The submission email/letter should contain the following statement:

"The Transport Security Program for [insert operator's name] is submitted for the Secretary's approval in accordance with the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004".

The email/letter should outline the changes made to your Transport Security Program. The revision or alterations should also be noted in the revision history section of your Transport Security Program.

If you have engaged a third party to submit a Transport Security Program on your behalf, you must provide a letter of authority with your submission. The letter should authorise the third party to act on your behalf for matters relating to the submission of the Transport Security Program and should be signed by the company director or authorised representative of your business.

Should you wish to lodge your Transport Security Program as a hard copy or CD, please post it to:

National Coordinator
GPO Box 1966
CANBERRA ACT 2601

The Office of Transport has regional offices located in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin who may be contacted through the Department switchboard on 02 6274 7111 during business hours.  Please also visit Contact the Office of Transport Security.

Aviation Security Incidents reportable under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 are to be directed to the Transport Security Coordination Centre (24 hours) on 1300 307 288.