A ‘Defence use period’ is a period of one or more days where Defence has exclusive use of an access zone (in part or in full) to conduct test and evaluation activities. To ensure tests are conducted safely and securely, there are times that Defence will require non-defence users to evacuate parts of the WPA. Defence notifies stakeholders of a Defence use period in advance of it coming to effect (see below for further information).

Access zones

The WPA is divided into separate access zones. Currently, there are 4 access zones – red zone, amber zone 1, amber zone 2 and green zone.

From 1 January 2027, amber zone 2 will be absorbed into the green zone, leaving 3 access zones – red zone, amber zone and green zone, as shown on the map below.

From 1 January 2027, the green zone will be divided into a grid, as shown on the map below. Under the gridded system, non-Defence users will only be excluded from cells where there are safety or security risks associated with a Defence activity, rather than from the entire zone.

Each cell in the grid is identified by an alphanumeric descriptor – e.g. G4, G5, G6, etc.

The grid system originates at 27°45’S 131°30’E and proceeds consecutively Southwards alphabetically and Eastwards numerically by integer at consistent intervals of 15 minutes of latitude or longitude respectively.

Linked activations for the gridded green zone

Permit holders operating across multiple cells in the green zone are able to request linked activations. When cells are linked, it means a Defence use period that impacts any of the individual cells is counted in the tally of Defence use days for all the linked cells, even though the actual area of exclusion may only include one of the cells. This measure ensures that permit holder operating across multiple cells are not disadvantaged, and can only be impacted on a maximum of 70 days a year (or up to 100 days if the Minister for Defence approves additional days in the national interest). 

To request a linked cell determination, applicants must: 

• hold a permit in the green zone of the WPA
• believe that a Defence use period in the green zone will, or may, adversely impact their ability to undertake the authorised purpose of the permit
• complete and submit the application form [insert link here to the application form] by 1 November 2026, and by 1 August every year following. 

Applicants will need to:

• specify which cells are to be linked.
• set out the reasons why they consider linking the relevant cells is necessary to enable them to undertake the authorised purpose of their permit in a proper and effective manner.
• request to vary existing linked cell determinations, set out the reasons why they believe it is necessary to vary. 
• provide details regarding the impact of a Defence use period in the relevant part of the green zone on their activities in the WPA under the permit (for example, business continuity interruptions). 
• provide details on whether the impacts could be eliminated or minimised through contingency planning. 
• provide any other information they believe is relevant to the request. 

Final application for linked activations form (PDF, 224.79 KB)

Defence’s allocated use days

The access zone determines the maximum number of days each year that Defence can require non-Defence users to leave the WPA during Defence activities. 

The table below outlines the maximum number of Defence use period days that apply in each access zone. 

Defence’s green zone allocation for calendar year 2027 will be 63 days (rather than 70) due to Defence using an additional 7 days in Q4 2026 to support an important trial activity.

Notification of Defence use periods  

Defence provides advance notice of Defence use periods to permit holders. Defence use period notifications are provided directly to affected permit holders and published on this website. The timeframes for notification are provided below.