Safety issue

Safety issue description

Neither the New South Wales Rural Fire Service or Queensland Fire and Emergency Service had established cross-border coordination procedures for aerial firefighting activities to ensure reliable aircraft communication and separation.
Issue number AO-2023-054-SI-07
Issue owner New South Wales Rural Fire Service
Transport function Aviation: General aviation
Issue status Closed – Adequately addressed
Date issue released 12/12/2025
Issue status justification

The ATSB is satisfied that the introduction of a national guideline establishing frequency alignment, air desk-to-air desk liaison, state jurisdictional border mapping and cross-border tasking triggers, combined with NSW RFS training modules focused on mixed-jurisdiction operations, adequately addresses the safety issue. 
Issue finalisation date 24/10/2025

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number AO-2023-054-PSA-07
Organisation New South Wales Rural Fire Service
Action description

The NSW RFS advised that, on behalf of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC), NSW RFS led the development of the national Cross-Border Airspace Management Guideline, which was released in January 2024 and involved all jurisdictions.

This guideline established common procedures for frequency alignment, air desk to air desk liaison, cross-border tasking triggers, and shared temporary restricted area/temporary flight restrictions activation. 

The document was endorsed by the NAFC Strategic Committee as a model for national interoperability. 

Cross-border training modules were introduced into the Aviation Centre of Excellence simulation program, focusing on mixed-jurisdiction operations. Joint exercises conducted during the 2024–25 season demonstrated improved communication clarity and reduced duplication of airspace control. 

These arrangements are monitored annually through NAFC reporting and joint operational audits.
Action status Closed