Australia’s national adventure activity framework gets a major update

Outdoor Council of Australia launches Australian Adventure Activity Standard Version 2.0 and new AAAS Information Hub

1 October 2026

The Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) has released Version 2.0 of the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS), marking the first comprehensive review of the national framework since its launch in 2019.

The release begins the next phase of the AAAS framework, with the Australian Adventure Activity Standard Version 2.0 and Core Australian Adventure Activity Good Practice Guide Version 2.0 released first, followed by updated Activity Good Practice Guides through a staged release process.

Alongside the updated documents, OCA will be launching the AAAS Information Hub later in October, a new tool designed to help the outdoor industry navigate, locate and understand information contained within the approved AAAS framework.

Together, the updated documents and Information Hub are intended to make the national framework more accessible and useful for the organisations and people delivering adventure activities involving dependent participants.

OCA Chair Lori Modde said Version 2.0 represented both an important update to the framework and an opportunity to improve how the industry engages with it.

“The Australian Adventure Activity Standard belongs to the outdoor sector, and Version 2.0 reflects an enormous collective effort to ensure the framework continues to support the people and organisations delivering adventure activities across Australia.

“But updating the documents is only part of the job. We also want to make it easier for people to find and understand the information that is relevant to them. The new AAAS Information Hub is an important part of that work, giving the sector another way to navigate the framework while keeping the approved OCA documents as the authoritative source.

“This is also the beginning of a staged release. We are launching the updated Standard and Core Good Practice Guide first, with revised Activity Good Practice Guides to follow progressively.”

The AAAS and Good Practice Guides were developed as a nationally consistent voluntary framework and first launched in 2019, drawing together and building upon the various state and territory-specific adventure activity standards that had previously operated across Australia.

Version 2.0 follows the first comprehensive review under OCA's review methodology. The review was undertaken during 2025–26 and included legislative and regulatory analysis, checking the currency of referenced standards and instruments, stakeholder consultation, data-informed risk assessment, structured expert input through Expert Advisory Groups and open public consultation before endorsement.

The review was facilitated, and the Standard and Good Practice Guides drafted, by Dr David Marsden of The OREAS Group, for and on behalf of the Outdoor Council of Australia.

Dr Marsden said the review recognised the diversity and complexity of adventure activity delivery across Australia.

“One of the central principles of this review was that good practice in outdoor and adventure activities has to work in context. Australia’s providers operate across enormously varied environments, with different participants, purposes, organisational structures and operating conditions.

“The revised framework is therefore not intended to turn good practice into a simple checklist. It provides a common foundation while recognising the importance of professional judgement, competent leadership and risk-management systems that are flexible, adaptive and responsive to the circumstances of each activity.

“The Information Hub adds another important dimension. The AAAS framework contains a significant amount of detailed information across the Standard, Core Guide and activity-specific guidance. A tool that helps users locate and understand that information, while remaining grounded in the approved documents, has the potential to make the framework much easier to navigate and use.”

The emphasis on context is reflected directly in Version 2.0. The Standard states that risk-management systems should be flexible, adaptive and responsive, while the Core GPG explains that risk management in outdoor and adventure settings cannot take a “one size fits all” approach across providers.

The revised Standard places participants at the centre of an interconnected framework covering management of risk, planning, diversity, equity and inclusion, environment, equipment and logistics, and responsibilities and roles.

Version 2.0 addresses areas including risk management and dynamic risk assessment, documented activity and emergency management planning, participant communication and informed consent, diversity and inclusive practice, psychological and cultural safety, supervision, environmental conditions, equipment, and leader responsibilities and capability.

The Core Good Practice Guide Version 2.0 provides more detailed guidance across these areas, supported by appendices covering subjects including risk and benefit–risk assessment, emergency management, Universal Design, health and wellbeing, weather warnings and trigger points, sun safety, first aid and medication, and leader knowledge, skill and experience.

The revised framework continues to focus on dependent participants—people who rely wholly or partly on a provider's systems, processes and operational practices for the support, supervision, guidance or instruction needed to participate in an activity.

the AAAS Information Hub

To accompany Version 2.0, OCA will be introducing the AAAS Information Hub later in October, designed to provide an additional way for users to navigate and understand the approved AAAS framework.

The Information Hub can assist users to locate relevant material, understand and summarise provisions, clarify terminology, identify relevant sections across the framework and explore how documented practices relate to the guidance contained in approved AAAS documents.

Importantly, the Information Hub does not replace the AAAS or Good Practice Guides. The approved OCA documents remain the source material, and users should check the relevant documents and current versions before acting on information.

The Hub is also deliberately limited in its role. It is not a regulator, auditor or certifier and does not determine whether an organisation or activity is compliant. It does not provide legal or safety advice, undertake risk assessments, determine risk ratings or replace competent professional judgement, governance, due diligence or an organisation's duty of care.

As updated Activity Good Practice Guides are approved and released, the Information Hub will be updated so users can navigate the current OCA-approved source set rather than relying on superseded versions.

“We know that one of the challenges with any detailed framework is finding the right information when you need it. The Information Hub is about improving that experience.

“People will be able to ask questions about the AAAS framework and be directed back to the relevant approved documents and sections. Importantly, it isn't there to make decisions for providers. The responsibility for professional judgement, due diligence and decision-making remains with the organisations and people delivering activities.” Ms Modde said.

Staged release of Activity

Good Practice Guides

The launch of Version 2.0 will take place through a staged release.

The Australian Adventure Activity Standard Version 2.0 and Core Australian Adventure Activity Good Practice Guide Version 2.0 form the first stage. Updated Activity Good Practice Guides will then be released progressively, with OCA communicating individual releases as they become available.

The staged approach reflects the structure of the AAAS framework. The Standard provides the overarching common foundation; the Core GPG provides good practice applying across adventure activities; Activity GPGs provide additional activity-specific practices, considerations and technical detail; and applicable Explanatory Notes provide supporting explanation, context or interpretation.

Providers should ensure they identify the current OCA-approved documents applicable to their activity and monitor the staged release of updated Activity GPGs.

Developed with the outdoor INDUSTRY

OCA has acknowledged the significant contribution made by the outdoor industry to the review.

The process involved the AAAS Steering Committee, Expert Advisory Groups, activity providers, education authorities, peak bodies and individuals who contributed through public consultation, focus groups and submissions.

The Steering Committee provided governance, direction and endorsement of the reviewed documents.

Ms Modde thanked everyone who contributed to the review.

“A national framework like this can only be developed through collaboration. I want to thank the Steering Committee, Expert Advisory Groups, outdoor organisations, educators, government representatives, activity providers and individuals, over 100 people in total who gave their time, expertise and practical experience to this review.

“Version 2.0 represents a significant body of work, but its value will ultimately come from how the sector engages with it. We encourage providers to familiarise themselves with the new Standard and Core GPG, explore the Information Hub, and follow the staged release of the Activity Good Practice Guides.”

About the Australian Adventure Activity Standard

The Australian Adventure Activity Standard and accompanying Good Practice Guides provide an industry good-practice framework for the planning and delivery of adventure activities involving dependent participants.

The framework is designed for activity providers including outdoor education and adventure businesses, schools, universities and TAFEs, camps, clubs, organised groups, youth organisations, not-for-profits and community organisations delivering activities to dependent participants.

The AAAS and GPGs are not, of themselves, legally binding. They may refer to laws and regulations that are binding, and land managers or other organisations may require compliance as a condition of a licence, permit or contract. Providers are directed to obtain appropriate independent professional and legal advice and determine the laws relevant to the jurisdictions in which they operate.

The AAAS and GPGs are maintained by the Outdoor Council of Australia. The Version 2.0 Standard states that they are subject to comprehensive review at least every five years, with targeted reviews undertaken in response to serious incidents, fatalities, relevant court decisions or material changes in regulation or practice.