The table above lists decisions made by the Minister or their delegate under the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 (the Act) to either grant, vary, revoke, suspend or transfer a:

  • Australian launch permit
  • Launch facility licence
  • Return authorisation
  • Overseas payload permit
  • High power rocket permit

Notes

  • Updates to the decisions about space activities table are usually published shortly after a decision is made. The most up-to-date version is attached, above.
  • Decisions are made by the Minister or their delegate, as outlined under section 104 of the Act.
  • Decisions are based on criteria outlined under the Act and related legislative instruments.
  • It is common for the Minister of their delegate to attach conditions to permits, licences and authorisations. Currently, the Australian Space Agency does not publish details of conditions.

Main image: Varda’s spacecraft, Winnebago-3, re-entered Earth and landed at Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range in regional South Australia. Image credit: Southern Launch.

Latest decisions

Please refer to the attachment for more details.

• On 28 February 2026, SPACEKNOWLEDGE Pty Ltd, a student run organisation based in Queensland, were granted an Overseas Payload Permit to collect solar radiation data in micro-gravity conditions. They were also given Return authorisation (overseas payload).

• On 28 January 2026, University of Southern Queensland received their Overseas Payload Permit.

• QuantX Labs and Lunaria One were respectively granted their Overseas Payload Permit on 23 and 12 December 2025.

• On 18 December 2025, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation were given their Return Authorisation (overseas payload) 

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Our department recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.

We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.

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