The universal safety oversight audit programme commenced on 1 January 1999, replacing the voluntary programme. All 185 of ICAO s Contracting States are progressively being audited under the programme. It is however envisaged that it will audit other annexes in future programs. The ICAO assessment of Australia s safety oversight system took place on 9-20 August 1999. The audit team found that overall Australia s safety oversight regulatory system is comprehensive and no significant safety deficiencies have been identified.
Work is already underway to implement the plan.
In line with the audit procedures, ICAO has released a Summary Report. ICAO s Confidential Final Report is provided only to the audited State. In the interests of safety, transparency and accountability and in keeping with the spirit of a number of other major aviation States, Australia has decided to publicly release the Audit Final Report of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia . Following the audit, Australia lodged with ICAO a Notification of Differences to some Standards. This is in line with ICAO requirements and is consistent with action taken by other major aviation regulators across the world that have been through this process.