Published by the Australasian Centre for Space Governance, the Foundations paper: Regulating space for the next 7 generations – A research agenda for Australian space activities and technologies argued that Australia has allowed its space sector to develop without clearly defining its national objectives or establishing a coordinated regulatory framework to support long-term growth.
The report contended that responsibility for regulating Australia’s space activities is spread across multiple Commonwealth, state and territory agencies, creating unnecessary complexity for industry, investors and international partners.
Unlike Australia’s aviation sector, where the Civil Aviation Safety Authority operates as an independent statutory regulator under dedicated legislation, the Australian Space Agency remains a division within a Commonwealth department, with regulatory decisions ultimately subject to ministerial oversight.
According to the report, regulatory responsibilities are currently divided between the Australian Space Agency, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the Department of Defence, state and territory governments and other agencies, without a single lead regulator or overarching national strategy to coordinate policy.
The researchers argued that this fragmentation affects almost every aspect of Australia’s space sector, including spectrum licensing, launch approvals, ground infrastructure, in-orbit activities and national security regulation.
With the World Economic Forum forecasting the global space economy will grow to US$1.8 trillion by 2035, the report warned that Australia risks falling behind international competitors unless its regulatory settings become more coherent, predictable and investment-friendly.
Produced by 20 researchers specialising in space law, engineering, public policy, property law and First Nations engagement under the WRegSAT initiative, the paper identified the development of a whole-of-government national space strategy as the single most important reform needed to strengthen Australia’s regulatory framework.
Deputy chair of WRegSAT Series I Duncan Blake said the report was focused on improving regulatory coherence rather than advocating for a national strategy as an end in itself.
“WRegSAT’s concern is regulatory coherence, not a national space policy for its own sake,” Blake said.
“A national space policy could help bring coherence to a fragmented regulatory system across and within every level of government, but only if it’s written well. That’s exactly why this paper takes a closer look at the regulation itself.”
WRegSAT chair Lesley Sutton said Australia is well positioned to become a globally competitive space nation, provided the regulatory framework evolved to better support industry growth and investment.
“Australia has an extraordinary opportunity right now to build a globally competitive space sector,” Sutton said.
“This report explores practical reforms that can help unlock investment, innovation and long-term industry growth.”
The report represents the first stage of the WRegSAT research program, an initiative of the Australasian Centre for Space Governance sponsored by Gilbert + Tobin and administered by UNSW Canberra in partnership with universities across Australia.
A second phase of the research, focused specifically on the regulation of in-orbit activities, is already underway.
The report’s release comes as Australia’s space industry continues to mature, with increasing investment in satellite manufacturing, launch services, Earth observation, communications and defence-related space capabilities.
The authors argue that without a modern, nationally coordinated regulatory framework, Australia risks limiting the growth of a sector widely regarded as strategically and economically significant for the decades ahead.
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