The Federal Government said last week that it is rethinking the project to create AusCheck as the only body able to issue Aviation Safety Identification Cards (ASIC).
Almost since inception, ASICs have been issued by private sector bodies including airports, security companies and specialist organisations, with AusCheck conducting the background checks.
In November 2022, the Federal Government launched a project to bring all ASIC and Maritime Security Identification Cards (MSIC) under the control of AusCheck, which was supposed to have been completed by 5 July 2025.
However, a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said last Friday that the government may not go ahead with the move.
"Government is currently considering the approach to the Single Issuing Body for Aviation and Maritime Security Identification Cards (ASICs and MSICs)," the spokesperson said. "Industry will be updated as soon as details are settled."
According to a discussion paper published in November 2022, a single issuing body was needed because the existing regulatory model required government intervention and regulatory oversight, and had "inherent vulnerabilities in the current arrangements that are undermining the integrity of the schemes.
"These were set out in a Regulatory Impact Statement issued in August 2021, outlining referenced non-compliance from issuing bodies across each stage of the ASIC and MSIC issuing processes including with identity verification, confirming operational need, card production and card return."
The Department of Home Affairs has declined to disclose how many ASIC-issuing bodies made the transition by the deadline, but separate sources have indicated only two: Adelaide and Canberra airports.
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Andrew Hastie has been contacted for comment.