ASIC, Do I need an ASIC card?

[Moneybox]

I've seen some discussion on this forum regarding ASIC cards. Who has them and why?

 

I can't see a good reason for me to apply.

 

Who needs an ASIC? You may need an ASIC if: • your occupation requires you to have frequent access to secure areas of an airport; or • you are employed in a specifically prescribed security-sensitive role. There are certain occupations that require you to hold and display a valid ASIC while on duty at a security controlled airport (regardless of whether you are accessing a secure area).

 

These include passenger check-in staff, baggage handlers, screening officers, airport security guards and eligible customs officers. You may also need an ASIC if you are contracted or employed in a security-sensitive role with the following entities: Known Consignor, Regulated Air Cargo Agent (RACA), Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA), ASIC issuing body or visitor identification card (VIC) issuer. 2What type of ASIC do I need? All cards are evidence of a background check, however, the colour of your ASIC depends on your operational need. If your operational need changes, your issuing body may issue you with a different card. If you are unsure which card type you require, please check with your employer or issuing body. It is important to remember that holding a valid ASIC does not give you the right to access a secure area or zone.

 

Access is controlled by the airport owner or operator. ASIC types Red ASIC John CITIZEN AUS AUG 19 XYZ 123456 Secure areas Airside security zones Landside security zones AUS Grey ASIC John CITIZEN AUG 19 XYZ 123456 Secure areas Airside security zones Landside security zones AUS White ASIC John CITIZEN A AUG 19 XYZ 123456 Secure areas Airside security zones Landside security zones Note: airside security zone as defined under regulation 3.01 of the Aviation Transport  Security Regulations 2005 (ATSR).

[coljones]

Or an AVID?

[skippydiesel]

The requirement for an Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC), was a gross overreaction by our Government to the Twin Towers, New York,  terrorist attack 11/11/2001, 25 years ago. 

 

ASIC is part of a parcel of  upgraded security legislation, which included a requirement for Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) airport owners (mostly Councils) to  commit to enhanced security requirements (fencing/gates etc). Despite it being without any merit (for small regional airports) it has been continued (with little resistance from the private aviation community?????).

 

RPT airports are designated Security Controlled Airports (you will see something to this effect in ERSA), Anyone wishing unescorted access to the operational side of the airfield, is required to hold a current ASIC

 

Private pilots wishing to access a Security Controlled Airport, will require an ASIC, if they wish to comply with the law (I believe there may bea  $5,000 fine for non compliance - in the unlikly chance you get caught)

 

The NEED, for private pilot, wishing to access most regional airports, to have an ASIC is a completely artificial/unnecessary construct, by the Federal Government, for no good purpose.

 

The rules governing access to these airports are positively torturous eg as a PIC you can land without an ASIC but may not exit your aircraft without being escorted by someone who has an ASIC.

 

Airports without RPT activity, do not legally require a pilot to hold/display an ASIC. So some airfields, with far greater aircraft movements, do not legally require ASIC (go figure!)

 

Along with many private pilots, I acquired an ASIC when they came in. In the following 5 years, I never once was asked for it -  a common experince.

 

Small regional RPT airports often only give "lip service " to the legislation eg  ineffectual security fencing, gate access codes publicly available, no security personnel, etc.

 

The issuing of ASIC has been farmed out to the private sector - you now apply through a third party, who must make a profit ie increased cost to the pilot

 

You can not use your ASIC clearance for any other purpose other than airport access ie its no good as a photo ID, etc

 

Note:

• There are diffrent "grades" of ASIC - as pilot requiring unrestricted access to certain areas of an airfield eg fuel bowsers, you will need a Red ASIC.
• Having an ASIC, confers only limited access, on an airfield ie you can not necessarily access all areas, particularly those in proximity to RPT aircraft/activities.
• The rules around ASIC have evolved over time - I may or may not have covered all salient points.

 

😈

[facthunter]

My card had "Access All AREA's" on it. I have no idea why  that was the case. Having been Involved in a Bomb SCARE in  a plane I was flying I support security Measures as would every RPT passenger who thinks about it. We live in a Pretty rotten world that is getting worse.. Nev

[kgwilson]

At many regional airports with some RPT, the terminal and GA are separated by some distance. Often the GA area is close to the local Aero Club and access to/from the aerodrome is via their clubhouse access or  security gate. While they say you are required to have an ASIC, generally you can land and access the aero club with the RPT terminal some distance away. I have operated to/from a number of aerodromes without an ASIC without any problems and avoid the RPT terminal area. I have not been asked to produce the ASIC card I don't have anyway.

[Reynard]

You will need an ASIC to re-enter Longreach after exiting the gate.

[BurnieM]

If you are accessing a Security Controlled Airport (ie anything with scheduled services) then the answer is yes.

 

If you are asking 'what will happen if I access a Security Controlled Airport without an ASIC' then it depends.

In 2 years at a SCA just south of Sydney I was only asked for it once. This was before I had one. I was not asked for any other ID but was told to get one.

I was not refused access or penalised at all.

Sometimes you may be refused the gate code or told not to use the passenger terminal.

I have never heard of anybody being fined but it is possible.

 

If you want to convert your RPC to a RPL then you need a current ASIC for the application.

 

[Bennyboy320]

Landed at Roma back in 2017, had my ASIC displayed hanging around my neck on a lanyard, the ARO came over as my wife & I were  putting covers & tie downs on our aircraft, introduced himself wanted to have a closer look at my card to see if still valid, took a photo of it for his records then had a pleasant chat & was very polite & helpful, I got the vibe that if it was out of date it would not of been a very enjoyable afternoon. 

[skippydiesel]

53 minutes ago, Bennyboy320 said:

Landed at Roma back in 2017, had my ASIC displayed hanging around my neck on a lanyard, the ARO came over as my wife & I were  putting covers & tie downs on our aircraft, introduced himself wanted to have a closer look at my card to see if still valid, took a photo of it for his records then had a pleasant chat & was very polite & helpful, I got the vibe that if it was out of date it would not of been a very enjoyable afternoon. 

By what authority, did the ARO ask to see your ASIC? 

Did you ask the ARO for his ASIC details?

Did he have one on display? I

ts likly he has no right to be photographing your ASIC (your twin may suddenly have a copy around his neck)

Another one of the massive inconsistencies, in this completely worthless card, is that the ARO /Security Guard may be be the guy to mows the grass, paid a little extra to added to his statement of duties, possibly have no training or authority as such. 

😈

[440032]

Here is one reason I refuse to get an ASIC.

It's bullshit.

If suits don't need one to be on Melbourne airport with no asic, I don't either.

And don't give me any "oh, they just took them off for the photo."  ASICs are required to be displayed at all times when airside, no exceptions.

Then SANTA. A guy, in disguise, with no asic, on Melbourne airport. Escorted by staff no less.

And the ex QF CEO.

One rule for them, but not for you and I.

 

I used to work in a secure facility at Melbourne Airport, and management would just bring suits through, no ASIC, no visitors card, no nothing.

The whole thing is a SCAM and I refuse to play.

[skippydiesel]

I agree 100% . That's why I don't understand why pilots dont band together to do something about it.

Why our organisations ,RAA/SAA ,are pursuing this with considerable vigour😈

[Reynard]

Below is the outcome from the Forsyth Report 2014 and the Gov’t response in 2015….
 

Recommendation 36

The Australian Government amends regulations so that background checks and

the requirement to hold an Aviation Security Identification Card are only

required for unescorted access to Security Restricted Areas, not for general

airside access. This approach would align with international practice.

 

Response

The Government notes this recommendation

Consistent with the recommendation and its commitment to cut red tape and

support enhanced aviation industry productivity, the Government is already

examining a range of potential improvements to the Aviation Security

Identification Card (ASIC) scheme.

As a next step, in the first half of 2015 the Government will commence

consultation with industry on any potential changes to the scope of the ASIC

scheme.

Industry and stakeholder input on policy options will be central to discerning the

impacts and relative benefits of any potential changes.

Such changes would also complement other initiatives aimed at reinforcing the

ASIC scheme’s integrity, such as strengthening eligibility criteria and improving

card issuing processes.

[facthunter]

FYI the Federal Govt in  2015 was the Nat-Lib Coalition with T Abott till September then Mal Turnbull after that. (fact). Maybe they were too busy Fighting each other OR just didn't care.  Nev

[Reynard]

No Government of any flavour have lifted a finger since.

[facthunter]

I don't know whether anything has been done Just after the enquiry would have been the Proper time to deal with. People in the street Couldn't care less. THEY WANT SECURITY and wouldn't want it apparently reduced. Nev

[kgwilson]

The response to Fosythe is nothing more than than pollie waffle that says absolutely nothing and takes 4 paragraphs and about 150 words to say that.

[skippydiesel]

The time is well overdue for private pilots banded together, to appose the continued requirement for ASIC, access to most regional airports.

 

NOTE: I support enhanced safety systems at major airports.

 

😈

[Moneybox]

7 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

The time is well overdue for private pilots banded together, to appose the continued requirement for ASIC, access to most regional airports.

 

NOTE: I support enhanced safety systems at major airports.

 

😈

Maybe but as I think you've said yourself "If somebody really wants to cause chaos the ASIC card is not going to make any difference". Any aircraft can find its way to the other side of a chainwire fence even if heavily weighed down with explosives. Most chainwire fences provide very little defence from a bullet and you don't need the card to operate from the other side. I've got some nice SS cutlery from my many Ansett flights, too dangerous for use these days but you can still carry a ballpoint pen with a much sharper tip.  

[Reynard]

9 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

The time is well overdue for private pilots banded together, to appose the continued requirement for ASIC, access to most regional airports.

 

NOTE: I support enhanced safety systems at major airports.

 

😈

Sign the RAAus petition, if u haven’t already.

[skippydiesel]

52 minutes ago, Reynard said:

Sign the RAAus petition, if u haven’t already.

As I read it the petition (which I have signed) is focused on the cost  - not on abolishing ASIC for private pilots accessing small regional airports.😈

[turboplanner]

12 hours ago, kgwilson said:

The response to Fosythe is nothing more than than pollie waffle that says absolutely nothing and takes 4 paragraphs and about 150 words to say that.

"Rec Flying 2016: ...The so-called Forsyth Review, was a public consultation process wherein the Australian public were given the opportunity to air their views, and has now slipped into history."   This was never a formal process.

[BurnieM]

11 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

The time is well overdue for private pilots banded together, to appose the continued requirement for ASIC, access to most regional airports.

 

NOTE: I support enhanced safety systems at major airports.

😈

 

I do not have a problem with the ASIC as long as the people who want it (the Federal Government) pay for it.

 

Paying over $300 for zero benefit was ridiculous and over $500 now is a joke.

 

[facthunter]

The RPT section wants it and most of their Passengers wouldn't welcome any  reduction of security either.. The "Good Old days" where everyone went up to the cockpit are gone forever.. That's SAD but the scene is not getting any Better. It's getting worse. . Face Reality and Make your own decisions as to what you do,. You can't change the World. NO Politician is going to gain votes by appearing to want to reduce security at Airports. Nev

[Moneybox]

3 hours ago, Reynard said:

Sign the RAAus petition, if u haven’t already.

Where do you access this petition? 

[T510]

4 minutes ago, Moneybox said:

Where do you access this petition? 

https://www.change.org/p/rising-government-fees-threatening-aviation-small-business-workers-security-clearances