Airport Environment Governance Framework

Flowchart showing the AEO Governance Framework & hierarchy of regulatory, planning & policy documents. Dark blue boxes: whole-of-government regulatory requirements; ministerial statement of expectations; departmental statement of intent for transport regulators; & corporate plan. Light green boxes: policy statements: Airport Environment Regulatory Practice Statement, risk policy, compliance enforcement policy & regulatory engagement charter. Light blue box: Airport Environment Officer operational manual.

Key governance documents will be published here as they are finalised.

Airport Environment Regulatory Framework

The Airport Environment Regulatory Framework comprises the following legislation:

It includes aspects of the Airports Regulations 2024, the Airport (Building Control) Regulations 2025 and the Head Lease Agreements between ALCs and the Commonwealth.

Guidance for Airport Operators and Tenants

The department is currently developing a suite of regulatory guidance material, including technical guidelines and factsheets to help airport companies and operators on airports (including tenants and contractors) understand how legislative requirements operate in practice. It also supports a consistent, risk-based and proportionate regulatory outcomes.

Importantly, this guidance material does not create new legal obligations or alter existing obligations under the Airports Act or Regulations. However, it does clarify how the department will interpret the legislation, where this may not be clear.

Guidance material will be published here as it is finalised.

Continuous improvement

As a department, we are committed to strengthening regulatory maturity in the environmental management of leased federal airports. This includes uplifting the capability of our regulators and supporting the ongoing development of consistent, risk-based regulatory practice.

We also provide clear guidance and supporting material to help regulated entities understand their obligations and the regulatory approach. Our governance arrangements, guidance material and supporting documentation are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose and reflect best practice.