Media Release
Positive results of ICAO audit of the ATSB
29 October 2004
An ICAO audit of the ATSB has reported high satisfaction with
Australia's legislative, organisational and training framework for
aircraft safety investigation and the professional and efficient
conduct of the ATSB investigations reviewed in detail.
The audit by the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) was sought by the Australian Transport Safety
Bureau to ensure that the ATSB met international best practice for
aviation accident and incident safety investigation.
The ICAO audit team 'commended the positive and professional
approach of the ATSB in proactively seeking the audit' and made a
number of very positive findings.
For example, the team 'was highly satisfied with the legislative
and organizational framework established by Australia and the ATSB
enabling the conduct of aircraft accident and incident
investigations' in particular through the Transport Safety
Investigation Act 2003 and Regulations.
The ICAO team 'commended' the ATSB's 'very comprehensive
training policy and programme' and, based on the two complex
accident investigations audited, found: 'despite multiple difficult
circumstances in each of the investigations reviewed, the
investigators appeared to have managed the investigation tasks in a
professional and efficient manner, consistent with the established
standards and practices of the ATSB. Furthermore & safety
issues were properly addressed and the processing of reports of the
investigations was generally accomplished in a timely manner'.
As expected, the audit team did make a number of recommendations
for improvement including regarding documentation, memoranda of
understanding, post-accident medical testing, budgeting and number
of investigations, investigator training, and occurrence reporting,
against which the ATSB has submitted a corrective action plan.
These recommendations are being progressed with the Minister and
internally. In transmitting the audit report, ICAO stated that it
was 'pleased to advise that your (the ATSB's) proposed corrective
action plan was found to be fully acceptable'.
The field stage of the ICAO audit was conducted in May/June 2004
and the final audit report was transmitted this month. In the
interests of transparency, the full ICAO audit report is available
from the website,
or from the Bureau on request.
Media Contact: Peter Saint (and after hours duty officer) 1800 020 616