AustraliaI need to report an urgent safety defect in an aircraft. What's the legal requirement?
You must report an urgent safety defect in an aircraft to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) immediately — within 24 hours for critical defects — under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
What the Law Says
Australian aviation law places strict obligations on licensed personnel and operators to report urgent safety defects that could affect airworthiness or flight safety.
Under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), a person who becomes aware of an urgent safety defect in an aircraft must report it to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) without delay.
Regulation 132.035 specifically requires that such reports be made 'as soon as practicable, and in any case within 24 hours' of becoming aware of the defect — especially if it poses an immediate risk to safety.
Failure to comply is an offence punishable by a civil penalty of up to $11,100 (100 penalty units) under section 306A of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.
Statutory TextA person who becomes aware of an urgent safety defect in an aircraft must report the defect to CASA as soon as practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.
— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, reg 132.035 — Reporting urgent safety defects
Statutory TextA person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with a provision of these Regulations that is expressed to be a requirement.
— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, reg 1.055 — Offence for failure to comply
What to Do
Identify whether the issue qualifies as an 'urgent safety defect' — meaning it could significantly affect airworthiness, controllability, or safe operation.
Contact CASA immediately via its 24/7 Safety Reporting Line or online portal at https://www.casa.gov.au/report-safety-concern
Submit a written report within 24 hours, including aircraft registration, nature of defect, time discovered, and actions taken.
Retain records of the report and any follow-up correspondence for at least 3 years.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.