What is REPCON?
REPCON is a voluntary confidential reporting scheme. REPCON
allows any person who has an aviation safety concern to report it
to the ATSB confidentially. Protection of the reporter's identity
and any individual referred to in the report is a primary element
of the scheme.
Submit a confidential REPCON
report
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
concerns and are not guaranteed confidentiality:
- matters showing a serious and imminent threat to a person's
health or life
- terrorist acts
- industrial relations matters
- conduct that may constitute a serious crime.
REPCON would also like to hear from you if you have experienced
a 'close call' safety concern and think others may benefit from the
lessons you have learnt. These reports can serve as a powerful
reminder that, despite the best of intentions, well-trained and
well-meaning people are still capable of making mistakes. The
de-identified stories arising from these reports may serve to
reinforce the message that we must remain vigilant to ensure the
ongoing safety of ourselves and others.
Who may make a REPCON report?
A REPCON report may be made by anyone who observes or becomes
aware of a reportable safety concern.
What is confidential?
Personal information about the reporter and any person referred
to in the report. If you believe it would be necessary to act on
information about an individual referred to in your report then you
should consider reporting this directly to the Civil Aviation
Safety Authority (CASA) on 1800 074 737.
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 organisation
including CASA, which is in a position to take safety action in
response to the safety concern.
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 REPCON 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.
Submission of information known by the reporter to be
false or misleading is a serious offence under section 137.1 of the
Criminal Code. Aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or
urging the submission of false or misleading information is also a
serious offence.
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