Australian Adventure Activity Standard
The 2026 review
First launched in 2019, the national AAAS framework brought together the previous state and territory adventure activity standards into one consistent approach. The 2026 editions of the Standard and Core Good Practice Guide follow a comprehensive review undertaken in 2025–26. Overseen by the AAAS Steering Committee and maintained by the Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA), the review combined legislative and regulatory analysis, specialist expertise, stakeholder engagement and public consultation.
Dr David Marsden of The OREAS Group facilitated the review and drafted the documents on behalf of OCA, with contributions from Expert Advisory Groups, activity providers, education authorities, peak bodies and individuals.
The updated documents address risk management, activity planning, diversity, equity and inclusion, participant wellbeing, environmental and cultural responsibilities, equipment and logistics, and leadership responsibilities and competence.
How the documents work together
The AAAS framework comprises complementary documents:
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The Australian Adventure Activity Standard sets out the overarching framework and essential considerations for providers.
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The Core Good Practice Guide provides more detailed guidance on practices common to adventure activities.
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Activity Good Practice Guides provide guidance specific to individual activities.
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Explanatory Notes provide additional guidance on particular topics.
Providers need to read these documents together and apply them in the context of their activities, participants and operating environments.
The wording within the documents matters. “Must” identifies a provision that is mandatory for a provider to operate fully in accordance with the Standard or Good Practice Guides. “Should” identifies a recommendation that providers need to consider in their particular circumstances.
The Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS) and accompanying Good Practice Guides provide a nationally consistent framework for the safe, responsible and sustainable planning and delivery of outdoor adventure activities with dependent participants.
A dependent participant is someone who relies wholly or partly on a provider’s systems, processes and practices for the support, supervision, guidance or instruction needed to participate. The level of dependence can vary between participants and throughout an activity.
The framework supports providers across the outdoor industry, including businesses, schools, outdoor education providers, camps, clubs, government agencies, community groups, not-for-profit organisations and individuals. It applies to the provider as a whole organisation, supporting the systems and responsibilities that underpin activity delivery.
Responsibilities and legal obligations
The AAAS and Good Practice Guides are not, of themselves, legally binding and do not replace legislation or constitute a complete legal compliance framework. They refer to laws and regulations that may be binding, and some land managers or organisations may require compliance as a condition of a licence, permit or contract.Providers remain responsible for understanding their obligations, exercising appropriate care and determining how the framework applies to their circumstances. The documents do not provide legal advice; providers should obtain independent professional and legal advice where appropriate.
Keeping the framework current
OCA maintains the AAAS and Good Practice Guides through consistent reviews, with targeted reviews responding to serious incidents, fatalities, relevant court decisions or significant changes in regulation or practice.This ongoing review process supports a framework that remains relevant to the outdoor industry and the people, places and communities it serves.
AAAS RELEASE
The Standard & Core Good Practice Guide is now available
There will be a staged release of activity Good Practice Guides in late 2026.
AAAS & the
GOOD PRACTICE GUIDES
NEED A LITTLE HELP?
the AAAS Information HuB
Have a question about the Australian Adventure Activity Standard?
The AAAS Information Hub is where you can ask questions with realtime responses and upload your own risk assessments to find gaps where it meets the requirements of the AAAS.
The Hub provides general guidance only and are not legal or professional advice. They do not determine compliance or replace your organisation's own risk management and competent judgement.
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What does the Standard say about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?
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Can you please tell me where this risk management plan needs improvements in reference to the Core Good Practice Guide?