Professionals Australia: CASA in Crisis

Professionals Australia: CASA in Crisis

Professionals Australia: CASA in Crisis

October 7, 2020 By Benjamin Morgan
A discussion paper released by Professionals Australia, a union representing employees of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has labeled CASA as being in a state of crisis, highlighting serious deficiencies...

A discussion paper released by Professionals Australia, a union representing employees of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has labeled CASA as being in a state of crisis, highlighting serious deficiencies in technical knowledge and capability.

The paper identified five key issues;

  1. Staffing:  Technical teams are chronically short-staffed and there is an effective freeze on recruitment;
  2. Workloads:  Understaffing is intensifying workloads among a shrinking pool of technical professionals.
  3. Training and currency:  Technical workgroups are being deskilled as a result of alack of currency training and professional development.
  4. Restructuring and procedural change:  CASA are hollowing out the technical elements of many roles via restructuring and changing procedures which limit the opportunity to conduct technical work and oversight.
  5. Poor engagement and loss of confidence:  CASAfailsto take the concerns of technical staff seriously, convinced that the direction that executive are taking the organisation in is sound.  Staff engagement and confidence in leadership is at an all-time low.

The discussion paper took into consideration recent surveys conducted by the Australian Public Service Sensus, Professional Australia and other unions, finding that CASA staff have lost faith in their leadership as a result of the culmination of these issues. Serious action is required to restore that faith and repair workplace culture.

Click to download the full Professionals Australia Discussion Paper

Click to download a copy of the Australian Public Service Sensus survey of CASA


Benjamin Morgan

Executive Director - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) of Australia

Topic: Community

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