Australia has contributed significantly to the development of international civil aviation through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)—including as a member on the ICAO Council—for over 80 years. We participated in drafting the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) and were one of the first States to ratify it.

• What the bilateral system is, and
• Its history

What is the bilateral system?

Before an airline can operate international services to another country, the government must first negotiate a treaty level agreement with the destination country's government. These treaties are known as bilateral air services agreements.

• Temporary Licence Variation Application published 28/06/2019
  19060115 PDF: 145 KB 
  19060112 PDF: 147 KB 
• Temporary Licence Variation Application published 27/06/2019

• Introduction
• Background
• Bilateral Air Service Negotiations and Policy Support and Regulation
• The Allocation of Capacity to Australian Carriers
• The Department's Responsibilities Under the International Air Services Commission Act 1992
• Information available to applicants for Australian capacity
• Licensing of an international airline
• Designat

• Administrative Details
• Company Profile
• IASC Determinations (Australian Applicants Only)
• Air Operator's Certificate
• Insurance
• Transport Security Program
• Timetables and Tariffs
• Compliance with Aircraft Noise Standards (use of non-chapter 3 aircraft)
• Request for Supplementary Material

Administrative details

• Who needs to apply?
• Eligibility
• Licence Maintenenace

Who needs to apply?

General

Any airline proposing to operate scheduled international air services over*, into or out of Australian territory requires an International Airline Licence (IAL) before it can commence services. This includes cargo only operations.

Compliance Declaration Form

International Airline Licence (IAL) holders are required to comply with a simple self-assessment audit scheme to maintain their IAL and continue conducting scheduled international air services to and from Australia.

In order to comply, IAL holders must download, complete and lodge a Compliance Declaration Form (CDF) with the department every six (6) months, declaring their compliance with licence conditions.