Uncrewed Traffic Management

Just like road traffic management, UAS Traffic Management (UTM) is made up of many aspects.

Australia is in the early stages of growing its UTM Ecosystem. It won’t be a ‘one-size-fits all’ approach. 

The UTM ecosystem includes the services, regulations, roles and responsibilities, infrastructure, information architecture and data exchange protocols or standards for enabling better management of UAS operations.

The UTM ecosystem will comprise a number of capabilities to support a wide range of use cases for government, industry and the community. This includes:

• Expanded automated approvals near civil controlled aerodromes
• Improved access to data sources to make it easier to get approvals to fly
• Safety frameworks such as Australia’s Future Airspace Framework and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility Strategic Regulatory Roadmap
• Drone detection capabilities to hold negligent or malicious UAS operators to account.

Together, these capabilities will assist with the management of the emerging aviation technologies sector, so that Australia can harness its benefits, while reducing risks.

In 2024, the government released a UTM Action Plan which outlines the whole-of-government approach to delivering the UTM in an iterative, proportionate and industry supportive manner.

The UTM Action Plan outlines government actions across 4 focus areas to help grow Australia’s UTM.

• Separation and airspace integration: Understanding and managing the risk of mid-air collisions.
• Better regulation: Ensuring our rules are focused on real outcomes, not on ticking a box.        
• Fit-for-purpose regulatory approvals: Leveraging UTM to reduce red tape and approval processing times.
• Improved compliance, enforcement and security: Helping users participate with confidence, while ensuring rule breakers are caught.              

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

The department continues to lead, coordinate and oversee the governance and policy objectives of a whole-of-government UTM ecosystem. This includes leading consultation processes across government and industry on the development of policy objectives of system design and market operation.

Airservices Australia

Airservices Australia is responsible for the development, deployment and management of a Flight Information Management System (FIMS), consistent with government policies and regulations, to be rolled out from late 2025. FIMS will support the safe integration of drones into shared airspace, with additional features to be added over time. Airservices will work closely with Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Service Suppliers (USS), enabling FIMS services to be provided to UAS operators through USS. 

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

CASA’s role as the independent aviation safety regulator will continue to have an important and evolving application to ensure safety remains first in the evolving UTM ecosystem. 

CASA will continue to work closely with Airservices and future UAS Service Suppliers (USS) to ensure the development and deployment of the UTM ecosystem and FIMS occurs consistent with the appropriate safety standards to meet government policy objectives. 

CASA is also responsible for the development of the Australian Future Airspace Framework, which will be Australia’s primary reference source for strategic airspace principles, future operations and strategic change planning.

There are a range of ways industry can get involved.

Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy Forum

The Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy Forum is the principle forum for the department to consult with a range of stakeholders. It provides a mechanism to help inform the development of the department’s policy advice for emerging aviation technologies in Australia.

To find out more or to submit an expression of interest to join, visit Consultation | Drones

Uncrewed Services Advisory Network

Learn more about how Airservices Australia engages with industry at the Airservices website. Uncrewed Services Advisory Network - Airservices

CASA Consultation Hub

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Consultation Hub lists all CASA's public consultations. It includes current opportunities, recently updated consultations, and a ‘We Asked, You Said, We Did’ section that summarises the outcomes of past consultations.