International airline licences – introduction

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.

International airline licences – maintaining licence status

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.

Air Carriers' liability and insurance

Australia's carriers' liability and insurance arrangements are outlined in the Civil Aviation (Carriers' Liability) Act 1959 (the CACL Act).

The CACL Act gives the force of law to a number of passenger liability frameworks, including those arising under international conventions including the 'Warsaw System' and the Montreal Convention.