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- Boosting innovation and science
- Co-hosting the Square Kilometre Array
- Increasing international collaboration
- Industry growth centres
- Industry Innovation and Science Australia
- National Measurement Institute
- Optical astronomy in Australia
- Participating in the digital economy
- Promoting innovation precincts
- Science in our department
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
Energy
Resources
Northern Australia
Trade
Business support
Measurement services
Government to government services
- Regulations and standards
Emissions reduction
Energy
Resources
- Applying to export rough diamonds
- Applying to export uranium and controlled ores
- Offshore mineral exploration and mining
- Offshore oil and gas exploration and development
- Offshore petroleum exploration acreage release process
- Regulating offshore oil and gas in Australian Commonwealth waters
- Regulating the Ranger Uranium Mine
- Taxes and royalties on minerals and petroleum
Measurement
Trade
Space industry
Building industry
Business support
- Funding and incentives
Emissions reduction
Industry innovation and science
- Australian Square Kilometre Array Fellowships Programme
- Business Research and Innovation Initiative
- Business-research collaboration
- Collaborating with Asia-Pacific on science, research and innovation
- Collaborating with China on science and research
- Collaborating with India on science and research
- Cooperative research centres
- Enabling international space investment
- Industry 4.0
- Inspiring Australia: Science engagement in Australia
- International research collaboration
- Moon to Mars: opportunities for Australian businesses
- Prime Minister's Prizes for Science
- Research and Development Tax Incentive
- Supporting advanced manufacturing
- Supporting business and innovation
- Supporting space infrastructure growth
- Transitioning Australia’s automotive manufacturing industry
- Venture capital
Resources
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COVID-19
Jobs
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- Overseas engagement
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- Anti-Dumping Review Panel
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- National Measurement Institute
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- Regulating Australian space activities
On this page
Regulating Australian space activities

We’re responsible for:
- regulating Australian space and high power rocket activities
- international arrangements affecting space regulation
Authorising space activities
These activities need approval under the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018:
- launching a space object from Australia
- returning a space object to Australia
- launching a space object overseas (for Australian nationals with an ownership interest)
- returning a space object overseas (for Australian nationals with an ownership interest)
- operating a launch facility in Australia
Applying for activities
The Act is supported by three sets of rules. The rules explain application requirements for space and high power rocket activity approvals:
- Space (Launches and Returns) (General) Rules 2019
- Space (Launches and Returns) (High Power Rocket) Rules 2019 (rules commenced on 30 June 2020)
- Space (Launches and Returns) (Insurance) Rules 2019
The rules refer to these documents:
We’re interested to hear your feedback about these documents, email enquiries@space.gov.au.
High power rocket activities from 30 June 2020
You can submit an application to us for high power rocket activities.
Please note that it is an offence under section 13 of the Act to conduct a high power rocket activity, using an object that meets the definition of ‘high power rocket’ in the High Power Rocket Rules, without holding an appropriate approval granted under the Act.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is undertaking a project to review and amend the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, including aligning with the High Power Rocket Rules definition.
The amendments reflect ongoing work to avoid overlapping regulatory frameworks. We’ll continue to work with CASA to support Australian high power rocket activities.
We assess your applications and provide to the Minister for approval. If you are considering any of these activities, you can email us enquiries@space.gov.au
Fees
The Australian Government has been reviewing cost recovery arrangements for assessment of applications made under the Act. This is consistent with the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines.
In 2018 we consulted on a draft cost recovery impact statement, and the Australian Government has agreed to introduce partial cost recovery arrangements. This updates arrangements for fees set out in the Space Activities Act 1998, and the Space Activities Regulations 2001.
Partial cost recovery is expected to commence on 1 July 2021. This represents a deferral of 12 months from the initial expected commencement date. This is in recognition of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Australian space industry.
We will consult on draft rules for the fees prior to commencing any charges. This is expected to happen in early 2021.
Read about the draft cost-recovery impact statement consultation and see latest updates on our Consultation hub.
Subscribe to Australian Space Agency news and follow us on social media for consultation updates.
An updated regulatory framework
The Australian Government updated the regulatory framework to ensure:
- Australia’s space regulations meet technology advances
- regulations don’t inhibit innovation
This included amending the Space Activities Act 1998 Act and introducing rules. The updated Act, now known as the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018, commenced on 31 August 2019.
Read how we updated the regulatory framework and consulted on the rules.
Previous regulatory framework
The previous regulatory framework included:
- Space Activities Act 1998
- Space Activities Regulations 2001
- Space Activities (Approved Scientific or Educational Organisations) Guidelines 2015.
The framework is no longer in force but transition arrangements apply. See sections 189 and 190 of the Space Activities Amendment (Launches and Returns) Act 2018.
International arrangements affecting space regulation
We engage in international discussions to support Australia’s space obligations. This includes:
- treaty negotiations
- United Nations resolutions
- guidelines development
Australia has ratified all 5 space treaties:
- Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects
- Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space
- Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies
- Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies
- Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space
Read more
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Contact us
- Email enquiries@space.gov.au
- Phone 1800 087 367 (within Australia) / +61 2 6276 1166
- Write to us at Australian Space Agency, GPO Box 2013, CANBERRA ACT 2601
Related news
- Australian Space Agency
Last updated: 8 December 2020
Content ID: 12666