A curfew applies between 11pm and 6am at Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Essendon Fields Airports. While most aircraft operations are prohibited during this period, there is provision for the operation of emergency aircraft, some small jets, propeller-driven aircraft and freight movements.

These curfews are legally enforceable and failing to comply is a criminal offence that may result in significant fines.

Dispensations

Curfew Dispensations are issued in exceptional circumstances subject to specific criteria and conditions. The Airport Curfew Manual contains information on the guidelines for curfew dispensations at Sydney, Adelaide and the Gold Coast Airports.

An operator may apply to the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities for a dispensation to land at, or take off from, Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast or Essendon Airport during the curfew. All dispensation requests or withdrawals should be made through to the Duty Officer Aviation and Airports, phone +61 2 6274 6998 (24 hours), or by submitting a curfew dispensation request or withdrawal form or by fax +61 2 6274 6822.

Requests for cabotage which are urgent should be directed to the Duty Officer Aviation and Airports on phone +61 2 6274 6998 (24 hours), or by email to: chapter2@infrastructure.gov.au. Cabotage requests of a non-urgent nature should be directed to Bronwyn Calver, Bronwyn.calver@infrastructure.gov.au.

The following links provide further information on specific airport curfews in Australia:

• Sydney

• Adelaide

• Gold Coast

• Essendon Fields

Further Information

• Curfew Dispensation Reports Tabled in Parliament
• Brisbane Airport Curfew Review Steering Committee's Final Report PDF: 2049 KB  DOC: 5984 KB

Aircraft Noise Complaints

If there are specific flights or noise concerns you would like to discuss further, these can be raised with Airservices Australia via its Noise Complaint and Information Service (NCIS). The NCIS can also provide more detailed information about current and historical aircraft movements. The NCIS can be contacted:

• by phone on 1800 802 584 (freecall); or
• via the Airservices Australia website.

Further information can also be obtained from:

• Community Aviation Consultation Groups
• Aircraft Noise Ombudsman
• Aircraft Noise
• Aviation Complaints