Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 1500
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure
Flying into YSSY we were vectored off of the CAPS One arrival and given headings; airspeed and descents by the Sydney Controller. We were then given an airspeed of 275 knots and given direct to MARLN and continue the MARLN One arrival. After passing MARLN we were given a descent to 8;000 feet. Between MARLN and WHALE we leveled off at 8;000 feet and were given a frequency change. Near WHALE the new controller; whom we had just checked in with gave us a descent to 6;000 feet. The Captain read back the clearance 'Departing 8;000 feet for 6;000 feet' and I started a 1;000 FPM descent with the vertical speed. Passing about 6;800 feet MSL the controller stated the bottom of his control area was 7;500 feet; climb and maintain 8;000 feet. The Captain replied to the controller that the controller had told us to descend and maintain 6;000 feet and that he had replied 'Departing 8;000 feet for 6;000 feet'. The controller said 'Yeah; but I didn't know you were going to do it'. We climbed and maintained 8;000 feet. The rest of the STAR; approach and landing was uneventful. I thought this occurrence was possibly the controller's mistake; but bizarre to say the least.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Large Transport flight crew; given a descent from 8000 feet to 6000 feet by Approach Control; were told at 6800 feet that they were supposed to be at 8000 feet.