REPCON Confidential Reporting Scheme

What may be reported with REPCON?

Any matter may be reported if it endangers, or could endanger the safety of an aircraft. These matters are reportable safety concerns.

Examples include:

• unsafe scheduling or rostering of crew; or
• crew or aircraft operator bypassing safety procedures because of commercial pressures; or
• non compliance with rules or procedures.

To avoid doubt, the following matters are not reportable safety issues:

• acts of unlawful interference with an aircraft;
• reports of conduct that represents a serious and imminent threat to a person’s health or life;
• industrial relations issues; or
• conduct that constitutes an offence punishable by a penalty of life or more than 2 years imprisonment.

Who may make a REPCON report?

A REPCON report may be made by anyone who observes or becomes aware of a reportable safety concern.

How are REPCON reports processed?

REPCON staff will assess reports for clarity, completeness and significance for aviation safety. To do this, the staff may need to contact the reporter. Once satisfied that the report is as complete as possible, the staff enter the de-identified content of the report into the REPCON database, which allocates it a unique identification number.

REPCON may use the de-identified version of the report to issue an information-brief or alert bulletin to a person or responsible organisation in a position to take action in response to the safety concern. Additionally, the de-identified report may be passed on to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to make the organisation aware of unsafe practices, procedures or conditions.

What are the possible outcomes from a REPCON report?

The desired outcomes are any actions taken to improve aviation safety in response to the identified concern. This can include variations to standards, orders, practices, procedures or an education campaign.

Is an anonymous report via REPCON acceptable?

As a general rule REPCON does not accept anonymous reports. REPCON staff cannot contact an anonymous reporter to verify the report or to seek additional information. Further, REPCON staff must be satisfied that the reporter’s motivation for reporting is aviation safety promotion, and that the reporter is not attempting to damage a rival or pursue an industrial agenda.

ASRS or REPCON?

REPCON is a separate scheme to the Aviation Self Reporting Scheme (ASRS). The ASRS allows for self reports of unintentional regulatory breaches by Civil Aviation Authorisation holders who are seeking to claim protection from administrative action by CASA. A reporter seeking protection from administrative action by CASA should consider reporting under the ASRS and whether they meet its criteria.

REPCON is a much broader reporting scheme designed to capture a wide range of aviation safety concerns from a large pool of potential reporters.

How can I make a REPCON report?

REPCON reports can be submitted by:

Online notification form  

Mail: Reply Paid 600
PO Box 600
Civic Square, ACT 2608

Facsimile: (02) 6274 6461

Telephone: 1800 020 505

Email: repcon@atsb.gov.au

If you wish to obtain advice or further information, please call REPCON on 1800 020 505.