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.
First, complete the consent form:
RACA security check consent form [PDF 235 KB]
Give this to your employer’s RACA certifier along with a colour copy of an approved form of identity and any other required documentation. The certifier will submit this information to the CAA.
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 a criminal offence to knowingly give false information to the Civil Aviation Authority or the Director of Civil Aviation if it relates to their official duties under the Civil Aviation Act 2023 or its related rules and regulations.
It’s also an offence to leave out important information during a security check unless you have a reasonable excuse.
Penalties vary depending on the offence.
For individuals:
For companies or organisations (non-individuals):
These rules are set out in sections 43, 107, and 362 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023.
Your application form will need to be accompanied by a colour copy of one of the following approved forms of identification:
In addition, copies of the following must be provided, if any of these situations apply to the applicant:
You must consent to a security (background) check to determine whether you pose a threat to aviation security. If you refuse to consent to a security check, your application will not be considered.
In carrying out a security check, the CAA will ask people or organisations to disclose information about you, for example:
The RACA employer will be told whether you have passed the security check.
If the result is not favourable, both you and the RACA employer will be informed. However, the employer will only be told whether the result was favourable or not — they won’t be given any reasons or details about the decision.
If your application is declined due to an adverse security check result, you have the right to ask for a review under section 128 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023.
However, if the decision is based only on a recommendation from the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, you’ll need to follow the complaint process with the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, as set out in the Intelligence and Security Act 2017.
If new information becomes available, the Director of Civil Aviation can review a previously favourable security check decision. This is covered in sections 126 and 127 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023.
All information in your application will be kept strictly confidential and handled in line with the Privacy Act 2020.
Under this Act, you have the right to ask for access to your personal information, or to request a correction if something is wrong.
In some cases, we may share your information with other New Zealand government agencies, such as:
We aim to process RACA security check applications within 10 working days of receiving a completed application. If a security vetting result requires further consideration, it may take longer.
If the person already holds a current permanent Airport Identity Card (AIC), they don’t need to complete a security check form at that time. However, their authorisation will expire when the AIC expires. A new security check will be needed for continued authorisation.
The application fee is $61.30 (including GST).
A RACA security check determination is valid for up to three years, unless the applicant holds a work permit or student visa that expires sooner. In that case, the determination will expire when the visa does.
