This method will expire 31 March 2025
The expiry of the aviation method may impact Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme participants who are:
- considering registering a new project
- in the process of registering a new project
- undertaking a project that has already been registered
- considering transferring their project to a new or updated method.
Learn more in our guidance for ACCU Scheme participants impacted by the expiry of a method.
Projects under the aviation method can earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) by improving fuel efficiency and changing energy sources for aircraft used on domestic routes.
When to use this method
The aviation method may be suitable for your business if:
- you want to reduce emissions from at least one aircraft in your fleet
- you want to improve fuel efficiency for your aircraft
- your aircraft uses or will switch to taxable fuel.
Legislation
Before you plan or register your project, make sure you read and understand the legislative requirements and the method.
Eligibility
Project aircrafts must use taxable fuel and fuel with emission factors calculated accordingly by the NGER Determination.
To be eligible for a project under this method, you must submit an application which includes:
- the energy and service data for your aircraft in the previous 12 months
- the number and type of aircraft
- any planned or existing aircraft auxiliary equipment
- aircraft phases and routes
- the service unit used for each phase of each aircraft.
You must also meet general eligibility requirements for the ACCU Scheme.
Relevant legislation
- Part 3 of the Act
- Section 12 of the method
- Section 14 of the method
- Parts 3 and 4 of Schedule 1 of the NGER Determination
Exclusions
Exclusions from the method are:
- international flights
- domestic routes that are extensions of international flights
- aircraft replacement or fleet renewal as an individual project.
Relevant legislation
- Section 7 of the method
- Section 11 of the method
Method requirements
Your project must implement emissions reduction activities on at least one aircraft.
Project activities must:
- modify an existing aircraft
- change an aircraft's energy source or mix of energy sources used
- change an aircraft's operational practices.
Examples of project activities are:
- replacing on-board components with lighter-weight alternatives
- altering aircraft structure to improve aerodynamics
- increasing use of bio-derived jet fuel
- installing ground power units or eligible renewable electricity generation equipment for your aircraft and its auxiliary equipment
- changing terminal procedures to shorten taxi length or duration.
Relevant legislation
- Part 2 of the method
- Part 3 of the method
Specialist skills are required to calculate abatement.
Specialists you can engage with include:
- registered professional engineers
- certified energy managers
- certified measurement and verification professionals.
Relevant legislation
- section 13(f) of the rule
7 years.
Relevant legislation
- Part 5 of the Act
Abatement is calculated by comparing the total emissions intensity from different phases of your aircraft operations before and after project activities take place.
Emissions intensity refers to the emissions produced per service unit. Service units vary in each phase of operation.
For each aircraft in your project, you need to identify phases of aircraft operation affected by your intended activities.
These phases are:
- transit
- taxi out
- take-off and climb
- cruise
- descent and landing
- taxi in.
You must choose one service unit of the method for each phase of your project operation.
Relevant legislation
- sections 10 and 12 of the method
- Part 4 of the method
- Schedule 1 of the method
Your project must monitor, report and collect each aircraft's:
- service units
- energy consumption data
- phases
- routes.
Your project must also meet monitoring requirements of the Act.
Relevant legislation
- Part 17 of the Act
- section 25 to 27 of the method
You must record data from the beginning of your project. You may not be issued ACCUs if there are missing records.
Your records must include:
- descriptions of aircraft
- any aircraft project activities performed
- phases and routes involved
- changes to operational practices
- any auxiliary equipment installed, such as mobile equipment used to help power or operate your aircraft.
Relevant legislation
- Part 17 of the Act
- Part 17 of the rule
- Section 24 of the method
You need to submit reports to us to earn ACCUs.
You must submit your first project report between 6 months to 2 years from the project start date.
Afterwards, you can report your project as frequently as you'd like, with the maximum space between reporting periods being 2 years.
Relevant legislation
- Part 6 of the Act
- Part 6 of the rule
- section 21 of the method
We provide you with an audit schedule when your project's declared.
You must provide audit reports according to this schedule.
We schedule at least 3 audits. Extra audits can be triggered.
For more information on audit requirements, refer to our audit information.
Relevant legislation
- Part 19 of the Act
- Part 6 of the rule
Documents and resources
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's Information on the aviation method