Application review process
AALA
The application review process
The application review process is designed to assess how your arrangements for delivering adventure activities align with regulatory requirements. Its purpose is to ensure that providers who meet the legal standards are granted a licence.
The process also offers an opportunity for you to engage with a knowledgeable and experienced activity professional.
‘All I’ll say is thanks to the inspector for lending their experience and making the process as painless as possible!’
Step 1. Application received
- We start once your application is sent to us by AALA.
- Within three days of receiving your application, we will confirm it is in our system.
- Once activated, we’ll send you:
- Your inspector’s name and email address
- The deadline for your inspector to complete their review
- A copy of your last inspection report (if applicable)
- An invite to our free safety management update and newsletter service
- If an application is submitted early, the review may not start until 4 months before the current licence expires.
Step 2. Core review (10 days)
Over the next ten days, your inspector will be assessing your arrangements for delivering adventure activities and determining what additional information or observations they may require. During this time, they will:
- Review your submitted application form and supporting documents
- Carry out online research
- Examine past licensing reports
- Hold a management interview with your nominated contact (usually by video call)
- Ask for extra details if needed, giving you a chance to fill any gaps early
Step 3. Consultation
An Adventure RMS consulting inspector will discuss the results of the core review with your inspector. Together they will consider any unresolved areas, plan the next steps and decide what needs closer examination in the subsequent continuation review.
Step 4. Continuation review (up to 22 days)
What happens at this stage depends on the results of the core review and consultation. Where the inspector is ‘satisfied’ in all areas they will contact you to confirm the process is complete and share their recommendation. This is rare.
If there are areas where they are ‘not yet satisfied,’ they will outline these to you and confirm the further information and evidence they seek. The inspector will keep you informed of their specific focus during the continuation review and the timescale. They may undertake this work remotely, via a visit or a combination of the two.
This could include:
- Attending a staff meeting
- Observing activity delivery
- Visiting your site
- Holding additional interviews
This stage may involve multiple interactions with your team. If issues remain, they will explain these and outline next steps
Step 5. Report
- Your inspector will write a report for the AALA that includes their recommendation.
- In exceptional circumstances, if they cannot recommend a licence the report will list the actions you must take to comply with regulations.
- Since there have already been opportunities during the core review, consultation, and continuation review to address issues, this situation is an exception.
Sharing information and observations
This step is optional and not part of the application review or licensing process.
After the inspector makes a recommendation, they may offer to share topics from the latest Adventure RMS newsletter, safety management updates along with any personal observations or comments they noted during the review.
Step 6. Review and endorsement
- An Adventure RMS consulting inspector reviews the report.
- The final licence decision is made by the Adventure RMS head of service or endorsing inspector.
Step 7. Back to AALA (up to 56 days)
- The report is sent within 56 days of the date we received your application from AALA.
- AALA will send you a copy and either issue your licence or outline actions you must take to obtain one.
- We will make contact to inform you when the report has been submitted and invite you to share any feedback on the application review process.
How you can help
- Engage with your inspector during the process.
- Respond quickly if your inspector asks for more information.
- Make yourself available. Be ready for phone or video calls.
- Take every chance to address any issues early.
- Be flexible when inspectors schedule visits or interviews.
- Planning ahead makes the process smoother and avoids delays.
