Corporate Plan 2026–27

I am pleased to present the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s Corporate Plan for 2026–27 to 2029–30.

This plan sets out the priorities and key activities that will guide the ATSB as we continue to deliver on our purpose: to improve transport safety across aviation, rail and maritime for the greatest public benefit. We do this through independent, no-blame investigations; safety data recording, analysis and research; and the promotion of safety awareness.

Our work is focused where it can make the greatest contribution to public safety. The ATSB’s ability to fulfil this role depends on the specialist skills, judgement and commitment of our people. We will continue to invest in those capabilities, supported by the systems and technology that enable our people to undertake complex investigations and communicate their findings with clarity and authority.

As the national transport safety investigator, the ATSB occupies a distinct and critical place in Australia’s transport safety system. Our enabling legislation allows us to take an independent, unfiltered, whole-of-system view and identify safety issues with relevance across transport sectors.

The value of our work lies in our ability to influence safer operations into the future. We achieve this through the quality and timeliness of our investigation products and through ongoing advocacy for clear, practical and evidence-based safety messaging. Constructive and open engagement with stakeholders is vital to delivering this core value.

Over the year ahead, we will continue to manage our resources efficiently, transparently and in accordance with Government priorities in a constrained fiscal environment. We will advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence and other technologies to enhance our processes, strengthen the resilience of our cyber, data and critical systems, and support the wellbeing of staff whose commitment is central to improving transport safety.

We will also continue to work collaboratively to encourage action in response to safety findings from our investigations. This includes further use of video media and presentations to make safety messages from our reports more accessible to safety personnel and the public.

Statement of preparation

I, Angus Mitchell, as the accountable authority of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), present the ATSB Corporate Plan 2026–27 for the period 2026–27 to 2029–30, as required under section 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).

Angus Mitchell
Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer