Australian Transport Safety Bureau

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Australian Transport Safety Bureau

Agency overview
Formed	1 July 1999
Jurisdiction	Australia
Headquarters	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Agency executive	Angus Mitchell, Chief Commissioner
Parent department	Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is an independent Australian government agency responsible for the investigation of transport-related accidents and incidents. The ATSB's primary objective is to improve safety and prevent future accidents across the aviation, marine, and rail sectors.

History

The ATSB was established on 1 July 1999, consolidating the functions of several pre-existing agencies. It operates under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, which provides the legislative framework for its activities.

Functions

The ATSB's main functions include:

• Investigating transport accidents and incidents
• Identifying safety issues and making recommendations to address them
• Conducting research and analysis to improve transport safety
• Promoting safety awareness and education

Organizational Structure

The ATSB is led by a Chief Commissioner, who is supported by a team of commissioners and staff. The agency operates from its headquarters in Canberra, with regional offices in other major cities.

Investigations

The ATSB conducts investigations into accidents and incidents in the following sectors:

• Aviation
• Marine
• Rail

The agency's investigations are aimed at identifying the factors that contributed to an accident or incident and making recommendations to prevent recurrence. The ATSB does not assign blame or liability.

Notable Investigations

Some of the notable investigations conducted by the ATSB include:

• The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
• The collision of two trains at Waterfall, New South Wales
• The grounding of the bulk carrier MV Shen Neng 1 on the Great Barrier Reef

Publications

The ATSB publishes its investigation reports and safety recommendations on its website. These publications are accessible to the public and are intended to inform and educate stakeholders about transport safety issues.

See also

• Civil Aviation Safety Authority
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority
• Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator
• Transportation Safety Board of Canada
• National Transportation Safety Board