The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is an independent agency of the Commonwealth Government. It operates separately from transport regulators, policy makers, and service providers. The main goal of the ATSB is to enhance safety and build public trust in aviation, marine, and rail transport. They achieve this through thorough investigations of accidents and safety occurrences, collecting and analyzing safety data, and promoting awareness and knowledge about safety. Established by the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, the ATSB conducts its investigations based on this legislation. Importantly, the ATSB does not assign blame or determine liability. Instead, it focuses on understanding safety issues without pursuing administrative or criminal actions. In aviation, the ATSB investigates accidents, serious incidents, and safety concerns related to civil aircraft operations in Australia. They also participate in international investigations involving Australian registered aircraft. By studying the aviation system, the ATSB aims to identify trends and factors that could negatively impact safety, especially for commercial air transport involving paying passengers.
