Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003

Statement of Expectations for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau from
1 September 2025 to 30 June 2027

I, Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, make the following instrument.

Dated  27 August 2025

Catherine King

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) function is critical to Australia’s transport safety ecosystem with a purpose to improve safety of, and public confidence in Australia’s aviation, marine and rail transport.

1.            Overview

This instrument is the Statement of Expectations for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau from 1 September 2025 to 30 June 2027.

This Statement of Expectations (SoE) applies from 1 September 2025 to 30 June 2027, and replaces the current SoE made on 13 June 2023.

This SoE serves as a notice to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) under section 12AE of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (the Act) and sets out my views on the appropriate strategic direction for the ATSB.

1.            Governance

1.      I expect that the Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners will continue to enable and enhance the effective operation of the ATSB as Australia's national transport safety investigator.
2.      I expect that the Chief Commissioner will keep the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (the department) and myself informed of the ATSB's work, and promptly advise of any events or issues which may impact on the ATSB. To this end, I expect the ATSB to provide the Department and myself with quarterly progress reports on its activities.
3.      I recognise that the nature of the ATSB requires its Commissioners and staff to have contemporary and extensive experience in the transport sector which can bring perceived or actual conflicts of interest. I expect the ATSB to continue to manage any conflicts of interest effectively and expect that the ATSB will publish its guidelines for the management of conflicts of interest on its website.

1.       Strategic Direction

1.      I expect the ATSB to regard improving transport safety as its primary function
2.      I expect the ATSB to perform its functions in accordance with the Act and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, and other applicable legislation.
3.      I expect that the ATSB's resources will be used in a proper manner, following best practice principles and guidelines.
4.      I expect the ATSB to perform its functions consistent with Australia's international obligations, including the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization.
5.      I expect the ATSB to work towards the timely finalisation of investigations to support continuous improvement in transport safety.
6.       In conducting its functions as Australia's national transport safety investigator, I expect the ATSB will continue to:
   1.         regard improving transport safety as its primary function;
   2.         give priority to transport safety investigations that have the highest potential to deliver the greatest public benefit through improvements to transport safety;
   3.         participate in Australia's transport safety policy and regulatory framework, working with the Department and other stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Airservices Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), the Department of Defence, and the transport industry;
   4.         be a global leader in transport safety investigation, research and analysis, and foster public awareness and education on transport safety; and
   5.         continually review, promote and share investigation policies and practices to ensure it remains a global best practice safety investigation agency, and advances the national and international safety agenda.

1.            Key Initiatives

I expect the ATSB will focus on the following key initiatives:

1.       implement effective workforce planning, ensuring the ATSB has the skills and expertise to meet current and emerging challenges in transport safety investigation;
2.       provide a centre of excellence for transport safety investigation, including through partnerships with educational institutions;
3.       collaborate with other countries to improve accident investigation capability and compliance with international protocols;
4.       support the Commonwealth Government's transport safety objectives in the Asia-Pacific region;
5.       continue its research activities, and collect and analyse data on topics with the most significant prospects of improved transport safety and the greatest public benefit;
6.        provide input to Commonwealth Government reviews or inquiries regarding the ATSB's operations and jurisdictions across different modes of transport, as required; and
7.       continue to work closely with the Department to develop options to address long-term financial sustainability for Government’s consideration.

1.            Stakeholder Engagement

I expect the ATSB to:

1.       effectively engage and communicate with stakeholders using targeted messaging through appropriate mediums, to influence positive safety action;
2.       work closely with the Department and other Government agencies, including CASA, Airservices Australia, AMSA and ONRSR to deliver integrated and comprehensive safety advice to Government, industry and the community; and
3.       engage closely with aviation, rail and maritime regulators and policy makers to ensure the appropriate sharing and use of safety information, with all arrangements being transparent to industry and consistent with a strong reporting culture.