Advanced Air Mobility

AAM is an emerging aviation sector that will use new types of vehicles to transport passengers and cargo on short-haul, low altitude flights, with eVTOL aircraft similar in size to helicopters.

AAM will have a transformative impact on short to medium range air transport, as reduced costs and environmental impacts significantly expand the potential market for aviation. This includes:

• Regional Air Mobility – New passenger services connecting regional and remote Australia. This could significantly improve the accessibility of regional and rural towns, with implications for settlement patterns.
• Urban Air Mobility – Passenger services that can reduce travel times and congestion by flying over busy urban environments (e.g. city to airport routes).
• Drone cargo services – Highly automated, low-cost air cargo services which can drive productivity improvements across a range of industries, particularly those with high value and/or time critical goods.
• Government applications – AAM is expected to have a diverse range of applications in the government sector, particularly, defence, aeromedical services and emergency management.

The department will work with Commonwealth agencies, state and territory governments and industry to develop a whole-of-government AAM strategy. This whole-of-government approach, supported by robust, ongoing consultation with industry, reflects the need for all levels of government to cooperate to enable AAM’s integration into Australia’s urban and regional transport systems.

The AAM strategy will help prepare for and realise the transformative benefits of AAM over time. The department will also support industry engagement with communities to build social understanding and license for AAM operations. 

In December 2021, the Australian and Victorian Governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a safe and sustainable Advanced Air Mobility industry. The MoU is between the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Airservices Australia and Invest Victoria, and will help foster the long-term growth of an AAM industry in Australia.

The Australian Government is open to agreeing MoUs with other state and territory governments where it would support emerging aviation technologies.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has developed a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap which will assist in identifying and progressing required regulatory changes to safely integrating these technologies into Australia’s airspace alongside traditional aviation.

The Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program will provide funding and support for pilot projects, including for AAM and eVTOL test cases, and key research activities to develop the sector, with a focus on regional Australia.

The Infrastructure Planning Framework will coordinate the development of regulations for AAM infrastructure across Commonwealth and state agencies, including vertiport design and siting requirements, to provide clarity to industry and national consistency in planning requirements.