Alcohol and Drug Testing for Australian Aviation Industry

New regulations came into force in Australia on 22 September that allow the introduction of random alcohol and drug testing of Australia’s 120,000 aviation workers.

The new regulations will bring the aviation industry into line with other sensitive sectors such as rail, maritime and mining.

Aviation organisations, such as airlines and maintenance companies, have six months to implement detailed drug and alcohol management plans covering pre-employment testing, reasonable suspicion testing and post-accident testing, as well as education, training and rehabilitation.

The regulations cover pilots, engineers, cabin crew, flight instructors, re-fuelers, dispatchers, load controllers, baggage handlers, air traffic controllers and even Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) staff that perform airside duties.

Under the new regime, it is an offence for people working in aviation safety roles to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Australia’s CASA will administer the new programme and aims to begin random testing before the end of the year. The authority says it has worked closely with the aviation industry, drug and alcohol experts, and employee representatives to ensure the testing regime is fair and effective.

CASA has launched a national education campaign, which includes guidance material, training days and workshops for people in the aviation industry, as well as a dedicated website.