About the base

RAAF Amberley is the Air Force's largest base, employing over 5,000 people working in training, contingency response, healthcare, communications and other areas.

Access

Visitors must report at Pass Office on Southern Amberley Road to collect their Visitor Identification Card (VIC) to gain entry. Defence Common Access Card (DCAC) holders from another base can email the Pass Office to activate swipe entry before visiting.​

All DCAC holders and visitors must comply with the following access procedures:

  1. All occupants of a vehicle are to individually swipe in and out before proceeding through the boom gate.
  2. Military personnel entering/exiting the base in buses must swipe their cards on both entry and exit to ensure the access system has a full record of personnel on or off base in case of emergencies. Access control officer will provide a portable scanner to the driver to facilitate swiping of DCACs.
  3. All vehicle occupants and pedestrians must remove any facial coverings to make their face fully visible to the camera before proceeding through the boom gate or pedestrian access gates. This includes:
    • bike helmets
    • sunglasses
    • other face coverings which may limit the ability for facial recognition
  4. No tailgating under any circumstances
  5. All occupants of exiting vehicles must swipe out
  6. Heavy vehicles (4.5 tonne and over) and contractors must report at the Heavy Vehicle & Contractor (HVC) Pass Office located on Hansen Road to collect their Visitor Identification Card (VIC) to gain entry.

Visitors are prohibited from taking the following items on base without prior approval; photographic equipment (this includes dash cams and helmet cams), recording equipment, radio transmitters, firearms, explosives, ammunition, alcohol and illegal or toxic substances.

Hosts are responsible for ensuring visitor safe departure from base and will escort at all times whilst on base and off base on completion of visit.​​

Only photography related to a task you are providing to Defence is allowed.  Approval must be received for classified information or assets and should not include security and access control hardware or restricted areas. Dashcams and similar devices must be disabled before accessing flight line​.

Base is patrolled by Security Police working dogs. For your safety, please ensure that you comply with directions.

Visiting hours

There are five access control entrance gates that require swipe access upon entry and exit. Each gate has varying access times:

  1. Main Gate located on Southern Amberley Road 24/7. A Pass Office is located at this gate for the issue of VIC.
  2. Behms Road gate 5 am - 6:50 pm Monday - Saturday. Closed on public holidays.
  3. Hansen Road gate access by heavy vehicle & contractors 5 am - 5:50 pm Monday – Friday. The DCAC office and contractor Pass Office is located at this gate. Base personnel may use this gate for entry and exit.
  4. Rosewood Road gate 5 am - 5:50 pm Monday - Friday. Closed on public holidays.
  5. Tarakan Road gate 6 am - 5:50 pm Monday - Friday. Closed on public holidays.

Outside of operating hours for Hansen and Rosewood Road gates, heavy vehicles are permitted to use the Main Gate.

Opening times for the Behms Road, Rosewood Road, Hansen Road and Tarakan Road gates may be varied to meet special operations on the base with the approval of the Base Manager. Requests should be emailed to: basemanagement.raafamberley@defence.gov.au.

Road rules

Speed limits must be strictly adhered to at all times. Speed limit is 40km/h unless otherwise signposted. Vehicles must give way to formed military members on the road. If it is safe to pass, speed limit is not to exceed 20km/h when overtaking formed military members.

Parking is only permitted in designated parking areas.

Hazards

Hazard

Description

Pedestrians on roadways Military members may be marching, drilling or undertaking physical training and have right of way. Some roads do not have footpaths, if you encounter pedestrians on the roads then you will need to drive accordingly. The speed limit when passing is 20km/h.
Wildlife Wildlife may be visible on the roads. For your safety, drive slowly and be aware they have right of way. A person must wait for wildlife handler (eyes on). Seasonal swooping birds (avoid, hat/PPE, don't panic). Snakes (and all fauna) in QLD are protected.
Bushfires There is natural bushland within and adjacent to the Base. In case of a bushfire, follow instructions from your Defence escort or fire warden.
Fuel Farm Access to the fuel farm is for authorised personnel only with all required emergency management details signposted at the site.
Noise As an operational airbase, noise is generated by aircraft. Aircraft operations and some industrial processes produce very high levels of noise. In these industrial areas signs are displayed detailing expected noise levels and the type of hearing protection that should be worn. Please observe these signs
Severe weather events Prone to flooding during heavy storm events. Care is to be taken during heavy rain events with cognisance of where you park your vehicle and not walking though flood waters - flood waters attract vectors such as mosquitoes, visitors should wear repellent and appropriate clothing.
Airfield The airfield is well signposted and access is restricted to authorised personnel only. Hearing protection may be required in close proximity and will be advised by your Defence escort.
Radio frequency Harmful radio frequency radiation may be present around radio antenna and radar equipment. These areas are sign posted with RADHAZ signs. Please observe all RADHAZ signs and directions.
Firing range Keep clear of the firing range and explosive stores when the red range flags are being flown. 
Smoking Not permitted in any building on base or within 30 metres of the fuel farm, fuel tankers, aircraft or explosives storage areas. Smoking is also prohibited within 50 metres of the Liquid Dry Breathing Oxygen Compound.​
Mobile phones and two way radio transmitters Not to be used near the fuel farm, explosives stores, the Liquid Dry Breathing Oxygen Compound, or within aircraft maintenance hangars.
Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination​ Environmental Approval required for soil removal or stockpiling on-site.

Sirens and lights will communicate information about the base security status and procedures.

Status Lights Sounds Procedure
Alert Blue flashing lights ‘beep, beep, beep’ tone + ‘alert alert alert’ voice command Prepare to receive direction and maintain awareness.
Evacuation Blue flashing lights ‘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.
Disperse Blue flashing lights Rapid short 'beeping' tone + 'disperse, disperse, disperse' voice command Rapidly move away from mass gathering and maintain awareness.
Lockdown Blue flashing lights 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 Green flashing lights Low-pitched ‘buzzing’ tone + ‘all clear, all clear, all clear voice command Resume normal activities.

Call 000 for life threatening, critical or serious situations.

Emergency & Security: 07 5361 2888.

Amberley Airbase Command Post: 07 5361 2888