Aviation Consumer Protections – primary and subordinate legislation
5 October 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Aviation Consumer Protections – primary legislation.
PWDA is one of the co-chairs together with the Australian Federation of Disability Organisation (AFDO) on the steering group with the Justice and Equity Centre (JEC) and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts on the co-design of the disability aviation standards.
In 2024 PWDA responded to The Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme—Consultation paper and we are pleased that some of the issues we identified then have been addressed. We are also pleased that the Aviation Consumer Protection Consultation Paper has been provided in accessible formats.
PWDA has provided feedback to questions on the primary legislation.
Aviation Consumer Protections -Subordinate legislation
PWDA has also responded to the Aviation Consumer Protections – subordinate legislation.
Before turning to the questions provided, there is a question whether the primary or subordinate legislation captures flights within a state.
For example, a flight from Wagga Wagga to Sydney would be regulated by the NSW State Government, and many flights from regional communities to Brisbane are regulated by the Queensland government.
PWDA would like to ensure that these consumer protections will be extended to people flying within the same state, as well as those flying interstate or overseas.
Flights from smaller airports in regional communities are often only available via a single carrier, and may provide the only realistic way to access essential services and healthcare. Should that single carrier choose to behave in ways that fall short of the standards in the consumer protections, customers would be unable to choose an alternative company.
It is critical that consistent consumer protections are extended to intra-state travel.
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