Requirements for those handling Air Cargo
The Australian Government has introduced new security measures that require air cargo to be security cleared before it can be loaded on an aircraft. These 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 (ATSA) 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.
In order to become a RACA, you must apply in writing to the Department to be designated. This letter should contain details of your business including address information. As part of the application process you will need to complete a security undertaking and a Transport Security Program (TSP).
A TSP must detail how you will manage the security of your business operations, and protect your people, assets and infrastructure against acts which could lead to unlawful interference with aviation.
A TSP is a legally binding document that RACAs must comply with and that will be audited by the Department.
The Department, through the Office of Transport Security, can help in developing a TSP. You can contact us on 1300 764 958 or by email at regulated.agent@infrastructure.gov.au
If you are not a RACA, these new security requirements may affect the way your cargo is treated by those businesses that have been designated as a RACA. This may mean RACAs:
- refuse to accept your cargo; and
- accept your cargo but charge a fee to apply the required measures to security clear it.
Why a RACA accepts, or refuses to accept cargo, from a business that is not a RACA is outlined in their TSP. If a RACA does not comply with the procedures that have been specified in the approved TSP, they could incur penalties and possibly have their designation as a RACA revoked.