Each employee of a regulated air cargo agent (RACA) who ‘applies security controls’ has to be authorised. This also applies to each employee who needs to enter access-controlled areas. To become authorised, each employee must hold a favourable security check determination.
The applicant must complete the RACA security check consent form [PDF 235 KB] and give this to their employer’s RACA certifier along with a colour copy of an approved form of identity and any other required documentation (see What needs to be provided with a RACA security check application form? below). The certifier will submit this information to the Aviation Security Service.
NOTE: Incomplete consent forms will be returned to the RACA employer and will not be processed until all of the required information has been included.”
It is an offence to knowingly provide false information to the Civil Aviation Authority or the Director of Civil Aviation relevant to the Authority’s or the Director’s exercise of powers under the Civil Aviation Act 2023, or regulations or rules made under the Act. It is also an offence to fail to disclose, without reasonable excuse, information that is materially relevant in relation to a security check. An offence against section 43 by an individual is punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months and/or a fine not exceeding $120,000, or for a person other than an individual a fine not exceeding $1,000,000. An offence against section 107 or 362 by an individual is punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months and/ or a fine not exceeding $30,000, or for a person other than an individual a fine not exceeding $100,000 (section 43 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023(external link), section 107 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023(external link) and section 362 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023(external link)).
The application form will need to be accompanied by a colour copy of one of the following approved forms of identification for the applicant:
In addition, copies of the following must be provided, if any of these situations apply to the applicant:
The applicant must consent to the Aviation Security Service carrying out a security (background) check to determine whether they pose a threat to aviation security. If the applicant refuses to consent to a security check, their application will not be considered.
In carrying out a security check, the Aviation Security Service will ask people or organisations to disclose information about the applicant. For example, the Aviation Security Service can seek: a recommendation from the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, information about the applicant’s criminal record (if any) from the Ministry of Justice, or information from the New Zealand Customs Service or the New Zealand Immigration Service.
The RACA employer will be informed whether the applicant has received a favourable security check determination. The applicant and RACA employer will be advised of an adverse security check determination. Advice to the RACA employer will be limited to confirming whether a favourable or adverse security check determination has been made, but not the reason for, or details of, any determination.
If the outcome of the application process is an adverse security check determination, the applicant has the right to have the determination reviewed under section 128 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023(external link). However, if the applicant’s objection is based solely on a recommendation from the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, they must follow a complaint process with the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security under the Intelligence and Security Act 2017(external link).
If new information comes to light at any time, the Director of Civil Aviation can reconsider a favourable security check determination. In this case, reference should be made to sections 126 and 127 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023)(external link).
Information contained in the application will be kept in the strictest confidence and handled according to the principles of the Privacy Act 2020(external link). Under the Privacy Act the applicant has the right to request access to, or correction of, any personal information held by the Aviation Security Service.
The Aviation Security Service may disclose personal information to New Zealand government border agencies including, New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS), Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ), Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand (together Health), and to the New Zealand Police.
The Aviation Security Service aims to process each application within 10 working days of the date that a completed application is received. If a security vetting result requires further consideration the application is likely to take longer.
Where the person to be authorised is the holder of a current permanent Airport Identity Card (AIC) any authorisation will only last until the AIC expires, at which point a new security check will be required for ongoing authorisation.
The application fee for a RACA security check is $61.30 (including GST).
RACA security check determinations can last for up to three years. They will last for a shorter period of time if the applicant has a work permit or student visa that will expire in less than three years.
