About the base

The precinct is a key national defence research and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance hub. It is primarily home to the Air Warfare Centre, and No 92 Wing's AP-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft which conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia's airspace.

The precinct's major sites consist of:

  • RAAF Edinburgh
  • Defence Science and Technology (DST)
  • Edinburgh Parks
  • RAAF Woomera.

Access

Only people with a bone fide reason to access the base will be provided access. Base Induction is required before gaining entry to the Base. Access to the site will only be granted to people who have also satisfied the Defence security pass procedures.

All visitors must follow the instructions of their host/escort and must remain with them for the duration of the visit.

Entry is subject to the following conditions, failure to comply may result in removal and or exclusion. Visitors must:

  • obey the National Base Induction introduction, conditions of entry and health and safety rules
  • only enter access areas to which they have been granted authorisation
  • do not lend Visitor Identification Card (VIC) to any other person
  • ensure that accompanying children are adequately supervised.

RAAF Edinburgh airside:
Access is for authorised personnel only, and unauthorised vehicles and personnel cannot enter the flight line area. Airside is patrolled by Military Working Dogs and personnel are to follow all instructions from their handler.

Information for visitors

Information below is for visitors attending a site on the precinct without a Defence Common Access Card (DCAC):

  • RAAF Edinburgh visitors must park in the signed visitors carpark via the RAAF Edinburgh Main Gate (located at McNamara Drive). Visitors must report to the RAAF Edinburgh Pass Office.
  • DST visitors must park in the signed visitors carpark via the DST Main Gate via Third Avenue (off West Avenue). Visitors must report to the DST Pass Office.
  • Edinburgh Parks visitors must go to Reception to meet their host/escort.
  • All visitors must contact their host/escort on arrival to Pass Office/Reception.
  • Taxi or ride share services must drop off/meet passengers at the carpark. Only taxi drivers with a valid DCAC can access RAAF Edinburgh or DST.
  • Couriers/delivery drivers are to be escorted at all times, unless they are holders of a valid DCAC.
  • All large and heavy vehicles (including buses):
    If arriving between 6:00 am to 6:00 pm during Monday to Friday, drivers and passengers must enter via South Gate and ensure that the host/escort arranges a VIC at least 48 business hours prior to arrival. On arrival at South Gate, access control officers will issue the visitors their VIC.

Gate hours

RAAF Edinburgh

  • Main Gate (McNamara Drive, off West Avenue – Taranaki Road roundabout): 24/7
    Note: All large and heavy vehicles (including buses) are not permitted through the Main Gate during 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday to Friday. Entry during these hours is via South Gate and must have a valid DCAC or VIC.
  • South Gate (entrance off Sturton Road onto Fisher Boulevard): Monday to Friday – 5:30 am to 6:00 pm.
  • North Gate (corner of Andrews Road and Bellchambers Road):
    • Monday to Thursday – 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
    • Friday – 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

DST

  • Main Gate Third Avenue (off West Avenue): Monday to Friday – 6:30 am to 7 pm
  • Gate 5: Monday to Friday – 6:30 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5:30 pm
  • Gate 3A: Monday to Friday – 7:30 am to 9:30 am.

Visiting hours

RAAF Edinburgh: Monday to Friday – 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Please note, the following exceptions:

  • Visitors must confirm with each Resident Unit their specific visiting hours.
  • When visiting a single permanent living-in resident, visitors need to leave the base by 12midnight the same day. 

DST: Monday to Friday – 7:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Edinburgh Parks: Monday to Friday – 7:00 am to 6:30 pm.

RAAF Woomera: this is an open-entry base.

Road rules

Physical training is conducted every morning 6:00 am to 9:00 am at RAAF Edinburgh, predominantly around Harpoon St/sports fields and some other areas of the base. All vehicles must drive with caution and not to exceed 20 km/h.

Hazards

Hazard Name Description
Asbestos If visitors are undertaking works on buildings on site, they are to check the asbestos register before commencing work.
Infrastructure redevelopment Be mindful of surroundings and changes to traffic and pedestrian conditions at all times.
Close training range area Do not enter the range area unless authorised to do so. There are signs to warn base personnel that they are entering the range. A red flag will signify when live firing is in progress.
25 metre range area Do not enter the range area unless authorised to do so. There are signs to warn base personnel that they are entering the range. A red flag will signify when live firing is in progress.
Dangerous goods and hazardous substances Signs are displayed where applicable and details held on register.
Airfield/Airside Identified by signage and yellow boundary lines. Hearing protection may be required in close proximity and will be advised by the Defence escort.
Noise Generated by both aircraft and armoured vehicles. Hearing protection may be required in close proximity and will be advised by the Defence escort.
Low lighting outside Drivers must slow down and exercise extreme caution when driving through low lit areas. Pedestrians must also be cautious by following formed paths and wearing light coloured or high visibility clothing.
Recycled/Grey Water RAAF Edinburgh sport ground areas and Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) facility grounds – do not use water for drinking.
Machinery and plant equipment Clearly identified areas and any movement within or around these area is only to be done when accompanied by a site representative.
Snakes Protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. It is an offence to kill or harm a snake. Call Base Services Support Centre on 1300 658 975 if a snake is in the work area.
Magpies/Plovers During late winter and spring magpie will protect their territory and will regularly swoop and make physical contact with personnel walking around the nesting locations throughout the base.
Fuel Point Access to the fuel point is for authorised personnel only with all required emergency management details signposted at the site.
Armoured vehicle exhausts Allow sufficient distance between the vehicle and armoured vehicles.
Active Vehicle Barriers Located at RAAF Edinburgh gate. Adhering to the sign posted speed limit 20 km/h will ensure the vehicle to stop in time if there is a requirement to activate the barriers.
Pedestrians on roadways Many roads do not have footpaths, therefore vehicles may encounter pedestrians on the roads and the driver will need to drive accordingly. Formed body of military personnel has right of way on base. All drivers are to adhere to promulgated speed limits.

Sirens will communicate information about the base security status and procedures. In the event you hear any of the following emergency warning tones, stop what you are doing immediately and follow the direction of your escort or ECO Warden. In the absence of direction, follow the procedures below and those detailed in the following pages of the National Base Induction.

Status

Sounds

Procedure

Alert

‘beep, beep, beep’ tone + ‘alert alert alert’ voice command

Prepare to receive direction and maintain awareness.

Evacuation

‘whoop, whoop, whoop’ tone + ‘evacuate, evacuate, evacuate’ voice command

Exit building and assemble at predetermined assembly area. Remain at assembly area and await further direction.

Lockdown

Rapid short ‘beeping’ tone + ‘lockdown, lockdown, lockdown’ voice command

Follow the CLOSE procedure.

  • Close windows, blinds, doors and turn off lights.
  • Lock computers and put documents away.
  • Out-of-sight and minimise movement.
  • Stay silent and turn off phones.
  • Endure and maintain.

Stand down

Low-pitched ‘buzzing’ tone + ‘stand-down, stand-down, stand-down’ voice command

Resume normal activities.

Call 000 for life-threatening, critical or serious situations.

General enquiries:
RAAF Edinburgh: basemanagement.raafedinburgh@defence.gov.au
DST and Edinburgh Parks: basemanagement.dstedinburgh@defence.gov.au
RAAF Woomera: basemanagement.raafwoomera@defence.gov.au 

Security and emergency:
RAAF Edinburgh Fire and Emergency: 08 7383 2333
DST Security and Emergency: 08 7389 5000
DST Medical Emergency Response Team: 08 7389 5000
Woomera Emergency Services: 0407 345 328 or 08 674 3222

Airside Security: 08 7383 2555