Defence aviation areas (DAAs) protect military and civil aviation operations and aviation-related communications, navigation, and surveillance systems from hazards at military and joint-user airports.
Part IXD of the Defence Act 1903 and Part 13 of the Defence Regulations 2026 provide the legal framework for declaring DAAs and controlling development and activities within them.
State, territory or local planning approval does not replace any approval required under Defence aviation legislation.
Determine if approval is required
Each DAA declaration defines the area’s boundaries and height restrictions. Review the relevant declaration and DAA map under the Declarations table on this page to determine whether the site is within a DAA.
Defence approval may be required if the proposed development or activity:
- exceeds the DAA height restriction, including:
- a building or communication tower
- a wind turbine or wind monitoring mast
- a crane or other temporary structure
- a tree or other vegetation
- a vessel, oil rig or temporarily moored structure where a DAA extends over the sea.
- creates another aviation hazard, even if it does not exceed the DAA height restriction, including:
- smoke, steam, gas or air turbulence that may affect aircraft operations
- lighting, lasers or reflective surfaces that may dazzle, distract or confuse pilots
- transmitting equipment that may interfere with communications, navigation aids or radar
- shooting ranges or other activities involving firearms or projectiles
- development or activities that may attract birds or other wildlife hazardous to aircraft.
Application
When a DAA application is required, ensure written approval is obtained before starting construction, installation or use.
Crane use only
For a proposal involving only crane use, obtain and complete the crane notification form from the relevant military or joint-user airport. Call the Defence switchboard on 1300 333 362 and ask to be connected to the Air Base Command Post or Base Aviation Safety Officer at the relevant airport.
Obtain written approval before operating the crane.
Developments
For affected proposed developments, DAA approval must be obtained before starting construction, installation or use.
Submit a written application at least 40 business days before the proposed work is due to begin.
Information to provide
Provide enough information for Defence to understand the proposal and assess its potential effect on aviation safety, including:
- Brief description of the proposal and its intended use.
- The street address and legal description of the site.
- A site plan showing property boundaries, the proposal’s location and natural ground levels.
- Plans and elevations showing the maximum height of buildings, structures and equipment.
- The height of:
- rooftop equipment
- antennas
- lights
- lightning protection terminals
- air conditioning units
- other attachments.
- The mature height of vegetation where landscaping is proposed.
- The location, maximum height and operating dates of any temporary structures, including cranes where they form part of a broader development proposal.
- Geographic coordinates and the coordinate reference system used
- Details of potential aviation hazards and proposed measures to prevent or reduce them.
For proposals on land, provide the maximum height in:
- metres above Australian Height Datum (AHD)
- metres above ground level (AGL).
Note: use the Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020 (GDA2020) or Map Grid of Australia 2020 (MGA2020) where possible.
Defence may request further information before completing its assessment.
Submitting an application
Submit proposed development applications to: land.planning@defence.gov.au.
The assessment period begins once Defence has received all the information needed to assess the application. Complex applications may take longer if further information, technical assessment or consultation is required.