Annual VH Aircraft Registration Is Coming: What Australian Owners Need to Know Before July 2027

For decades, registering an aircraft in Australia has been a one-off event. Once a VH- registration is on the books, there is no renewal and no ongoing fee. That is about to change. From 1 July 2027, every VH-registered aircraft will need to be registered annually, with a levy to follow. Here is what we know so far, and what it means if you own or are buying an aircraft.

1. Registration is moving from one-off to annual

From 1 July 2027, owners of VH-registered aircraft will have to renew their registration every year. Today there is no renewal requirement at all. CASA says the aim is to keep the Civil Aircraft Register accurate, covering ownership, operator details and contact information, so it can spot risks and respond to safety trends.

2. The first year is free, then a levy starts

No fee applies in the first year of annual registration (2027-28). An annual levy is due to begin from 1 July 2028, with the revenue set to cover the cost of running the scheme. The amount has not been set, so any figure you see quoted today is speculation.

3. Three levy models are on the table

CASA consulted from 16 July to 13 August 2026 on three ways to set the levy: a flat rate for every aircraft, a fee based on weight, or a fee based on weight and aircraft category. It received 718 submissions. Feedback was broadly supportive of modernising the register, but owners are worried about cost, particularly private owners and flying clubs. No model has been chosen yet.

4. Who carries the obligation is still undecided

One open question is whether annual registration will sit with the aircraft owner or with the registered operator. It matters, because it affects who receives the bill, who is responsible for keeping details current, and how the scheme works for leased or jointly owned aircraft.

5. It is part of a wider overhaul of CASA fees

The registration change came with a broader overhaul of CASA charges. The number of charge categories is set to fall from around 350 to around 100. The last comprehensive review was in 1995 and fee rates were last adjusted in 2007. The stated aim is to reduce the compliance and administrative burden and give industry more certainty about what services cost.

6. Plenty of detail is still to come

Grace periods, exemptions (for example for historic aircraft and club operations), refunds, cancellations and suspensions have not been settled. CASA has said there will be further consultation on the draft legislation and a Cost Recovery Implementation Statement before anything is finalised.

What this means if you are buying an aircraft

If you are weighing up a purchase, three practical points are worth acting on now. First, allow for an ongoing registration cost from 2028 that does not exist today. Second, check that the aircraft’s registration details (owner, operator and contact information) are accurate before you buy, because they will be validated every year. Third, decide who will be the registered operator after the purchase, so ownership is structured correctly from day one.

None of this is final, and we will keep you updated as CASA firms up the details. If you are weighing up a purchase, or you already own an aircraft and want to understand what the change means for you, get in touch with Skycraft Aviation Solutions. We act for the buyer, so you get independent advice before you commit.

Sources: Australian Flying, annual VH aircraft registration confirmed for 2027; Australian Flying, Budget delivers CASA fee overhaul and annual aircraft registration; CASA, summary of consultation PP 2616CS.