✦ Plain-English Summary

Civil Aviation Amendment (Unmanned Aircraft Levy Collection and Payment) 2020

What it does

This bill sets up the payment system for a new tax on drones (unmanned aircraft). It makes sure that when the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) collects this levy from drone operators, the money gets paid to the government's main bank account (the Consolidated Revenue Fund). It also allows the government to handle refunds if drone operators overpay or become eligible for a rebate.

Why it matters

The government is introducing a new fee for people who operate drones, and this bill creates the mechanics to actually collect and manage that money. Without this, there'd be no clear way to handle the money CASA collects or process refunds fairly.

Key details

• Who it affects: Drone operators will need to pay this levy; CASA handles the collection on behalf of the government
• The money flow: CASA collects the levy and passes it to the government; if someone gets a refund, CASA pays it back to the government's account
• When it starts: This amendment only comes into effect when the separate "Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Levy) Act 2020" starts — if that law never begins, this bill doesn't either
• Who can approve set-offs: The Minister (or delegated officials in their department) can offset money owed by CASA against money CASA owes to the government, simplifying the accounting

Official Description

Introduced with the Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Levy) Bill 2020, the bill amends the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to establish arrangements for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to collect the levy imposed on remotely piloted aircraft operators.

Committee Referrals

Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.