What the Airports Branch Does

The Branch"s primary responsibility is the regulation of 21 leased federal airports on Commonwealth land. The Branch administers the Airports Act 1996, its associated regulations and the airport head leases.

Leased Federal Airports

ACT	NSW	QLD	NT
Canberra	Sydney	Brisbane	Darwin
	Bankstown	Gold Coast	Alice Springs
	Camden	Townsville	Tennant Creek
		Archerfield
		Mt. Isa
VIC	TAS	SA	WA
Melbourne	Hobart	Adelaide	Perth
Essendon	Launceston	Parafield	Jandakot
Moorabbin

The oversight functions include:

• airport planning, development and land use;
• airport insurance compliance;
• airport environment and building control regulation; and
• payment of Government rates and taxes.

The leased federal airports were granted on long-term leases to private entities between 1997 and 2003. Prior to this, the airports were owned and managed by the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC). The Branch liaises regularly with Airport Lessee Companies (ALCs) on airport regulation and lease management.

• Western Sydney airport

  The Australian Government has announced that Badgerys Creek will be the site for a new airport for Western Sydney.

• Building Control at Airports

  Building and construction activities at federally leased airports must be approved by the Airport Building Controller.

• Price and Quality of Service Monitoring of Airports

  Information on airport economic regulation.

• Airport Planning & Regulation

  Detailed information concerning the Australian Government"s interests in the operation of leased federal airports.

• Ministerial Decisions

  A list of ministerial decisions and links to supporting documents regarding airport master and major development plans at leased federal airports.

• Brisbane Airport Post Implementation Review Advisory Forum

  The Australian Government announced the establishment of the Brisbane Airport Post Implementation Review Advisory Forum (the Forum) on 24 September 2021.