A safe and secure aviation sector is a shared priority of the Timor-Leste and Australian Governments

The partnership between the Government of Timor-Leste and Government of Australia is strong and highly valued by both countries. The Australian Government-funded Governance for Development (GfD) Program has been supporting civil aviation in Timor-Leste since 2017, through the provision of international and national technical specialists and advisers, support for training and study tours, and engagement with the Australian government and the private sector. GfD’s transport specialists support the ongoing development and implementation of Timor-Leste’s National Civil Aviation Policy and provide technical support and capacity building in relation to airport and aviation safety and security, air navigation services, and aviation-related legislation, as well as ongoing advice in relation to aviation strategy and policy. Through GfD, Australia has supported the development of over 15 international agreements or pieces of legislation that are central to Timor-Leste’s civil aviation sector, in addition to technical manuals, civil aviation orders and regulations required to meet international standards. The entry into force of the Air Services Agreement between Australia and Timor-Leste in 2021 was a significant achievement that will continue to strengthen aviation ties between the two countries. In addition to building capacity through its national and international advisers, GfD has supported AACTL to develop and maintain skills through training opportunities with counterpart agencies in Australia including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Air Services Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology.