The government has announced that fees for space launch apps will no longer be introduced after being previously postponed twice.

The scrapping of fees, which would have been imposed on companies conducting domestic launch activities, has been controversial in Australia’s private space sector.

The change is part of a wider regulatory reform program the government has tasked the Australian Space Agency with undertaking.

The Agency will also develop a strategic space update, a vision to the 2040s that will “align efforts across the country.”

Science and Technology Minister Melissa Price said the government had considered industry feedback.

“Our country’s space sector has followed an incredible trajectory since we established the Australian Space Agency in 2018 and these new steps will allow the sector to progress even further,” said Minister Price.

“We know that if Australia’s space sector is going to continue to grow at a rapid pace, we need to make sure the conditions are right. That’s why we’re scrapping proposed introductory fees and making regulatory improvements.

“We have also heard comments from industry that we need to better align efforts in the space sector. Through the Space Strategy Update, we will maximize investment and effort for all Australians.

“Together, these changes will give industry and investors greater confidence in Australia’s space sector as we seek to deliver on our mission to triple the size of the sector to $12 billion and create up to 20,000 jobs. more by 2030.”

The head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, said it was essential for the future of the local sector that our regulations were at the forefront of the world and that our sector was more coherent.

“The Australian Space Agency is providing the leadership to pull the sector in the same direction, which will allow Australia to realize its full potential as a significant player in the global space sector,” Mr Palermo said.

“The Space Strategy Update will respond to industry-wide calls for a more cohesive national space strategy.

“We will improve the coordination of investments and strategies, whether between states and territories, between governments or between our scientific, civil and defense activities.

“Similarly, we must ensure we have internationally competitive regulations that support industry growth and entrepreneurship while ensuring public safety.”

Gilmour Space founder Adam Gilmour said he was happy to see the change made without “any real harm”.

“Glad to see this decision made with no real harm as the government has wisely kept the charges on hold so far,” he told ADM. “As a new launch nation, Australia has a clean slate on which to build a world-class experience for our satellites and launch customers. We must seize this opportunity now to develop a competitive industry at scale. world.”