Only the above federally-leased airports have legislated curfews. However, operators of non-federally leased airports, including private airports, may limit operations during certain hours. This could be through setting operating hours or through State legislation or Local Government approvals.

We monitor which aircraft operate during curfew periods and provide reports to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

We also provide advice to the community on aircraft movements during curfews through our Noise Complaints and Information Service (NCIS).

An airport curfew does not stop all aircraft from operating. Generally, most scheduled flight operations are restricted from operating during the curfew.

Aircraft allowed to operate under a curfew include:

• aircraft approved by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications – such as low noise freighter aircraft, small propeller aircraft and corporate jet aircraft that meet international noise standards
• emergency aircraft, police, air-ambulance, Royal Flying Doctor Service, search and rescue, or an aircraft declaring an emergency
• departing aircraft that have received taxi clearance for take­ off prior to the start of the curfew period
• aircraft granted a dispensation by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications to operate in exceptional circumstances

A small number of 'shoulder' movements may also be allowed between 5am and 6am, and 11pm and midnight. These are usually allowed on a quota basis, to account for time differences during the northern hemisphere summer, which affect the schedules of airlines flying from these destinations to Australian airports.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications is responsible for quotas.

Aircraft may also operate in the same airspace as an airport with a curfew and not be subject to any curfew requirements provided they do not land or take-off from the airport. This could include aircraft en-route to another airport or helicopters operating at helipads away from the airport.

Under curfew legislation and regulations, the Minister for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications can grant a dispensation that allows any aircraft operate during a curfew.

Dispensations must be granted before a flight operates into, or out of, an airport with a curfew. They cannot be granted retrospectively.