Adventure Activity Standards (AAS) are voluntary guidelines describing industry-recognised minimum standards of practice for a number of specific adventurous activities. They have been developed to assist organisations (both commercial and voluntary), leaders and guides to plan and conduct an outdoor recreation activity, and cover essential aspects and practices including planning, leader competency, equipment, safety, emergency procedures and environment.

In alignment with the other Australian States and Territories, and as the Outdoor Council of Australia supports the word 'standard' as a minimum guideline or base, ORIC has adopted the term NSW AAS to describe the minimum guidelines for the conduct of adventure activities in NSW.

They have been established as minimum standards for organisations and leaders conducting outdoor recreation and adventure activities or programs for dependent groups (where participants have a level of dependence upon the organisation and leader, to undertake activities in a manner that is safe for both participants and providers. AAS may also be a useful reference for any in-formal group or individual undertaking the activities they describe.

The necessity for minimum standards has arisen as the outdoor recreation sector continues to develop 'best practice'. AAS encourages activities to be conducted in a manner appropriate to the specific organisation, the participants being led and the nature of the activity being undertaken, and provides a common benchmark for providers as well as enabling new organisations to be informed and helping build consistent practices across the commercial and not-for-profit sector.

AAS ensures that those who lead and participate in group-based activities have an opportunity to be informed that the appropriate duty of care for self, others and the enviornment is afforded. Organisations and their leaders should interpret the AAS for the specific needs of the participants, purpose and the complexity of each specific activity.

ORIC supports the pursuit of best practice to optimise safety and quality of activities for participants, leaders and the environment. The AAS provide clarity on risk management and environmentally sustainable practices for the outdoor recreation sector, which includes commerical and not-for-profit providers.

The objectives of the NSW Adventure Activity Standards Project are to:

• foster a safer and environmentally sustainable outdoor recreation industry in NSW.
  
  
• promote consistency between groups conducting outdoor recreation activities and the agencies responsible for managing and monitoring their environmental impacts.
  
  
• develop clear standards and benchmarks for the skills/competencies required by leaders and managers of outdoor recreation activities.
  
  
• ensure minimum requirements regarding pre-planning of activities, including risk management, safety and emergency procedures, equipment (including communications) and standard operating procedures are met for each activity.
   
• provide clear, understandable and easily accessed guidelines which can be supported by land managers and all external agencies.
  
  
• foster an understanding of and compliance with the principles of minimal environmental impact.
  
  
• provide clear, understandable and easily accessed guidelines to assist the community (end-users), particularly those not conversant with the outdoor industry, to make decisions about outdoor recreation activities and those who provide them.