What are the new rules for commercial drones in Australia?

27 Jan 2021

Anyone who uses a drone for business or commercial purposes will now need to register their equipment with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
Registration applies to drones of all sizes and weights
From an insurance perspective, it’s important to follow the rules around drone registration

Anyone who uses remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) or drones for business or commercial purposes will now need to register their equipment with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or face fines of up to $11,100.

From 28 January 2021, it is an offence to fly an unregistered remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) or drone, regardless of its size or weight, for any business or commercial use, says Michael McNamara QBE’s National Aviation Manager

What is considered a commercial drone activity?

CASA have outlined some example activities that may include a business or commercial purpose, including:

Creating photos or video content to be sold
Inspecting commercial equipment, infrastructure or sites
Monitoring, providing surveillance or security services
Creating content for websites where an income is generated from advertising
Any drone activities on behalf of your employer.

Businesses need to ask themselves if RPA or drones are part of their commercial offering, and if they are, should think through whether they have taken the necessary actions, says McNamara.

“Estate agents who use drones to take photographs of homes and properties, construction businesses who use surveying drones or even drones used on farms for stock management are in scope,” he says. “There’s a huge range of businesses who use RPA and drones as part of their everyday activities.”

With registration applying irrespective of the size or weight of the RPA or drone, the smaller end of town need to also sit up and take notice of the new requirements.

“People who use micro drones to capture images and video and then sell that footage are now clearly in scope for registration and licence requirements,” McNamara said.

Do I need a drone licence?

Woman flying a drone over water Those who fly or supervise the operation of drones or RPA in an ‘excluded category’ or ‘micro RPA’ category¹ for commercial uses, will need to hold either a valid operator accreditation certificate or a remote pilot licence (RePL) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Individuals must be 16 years or older to register a drone, and 16 or older to become an accredited operator. An accredited adult (over 18) must supervise any person under 16.
It is important to note that owners and operators of commercial drones and RPA can be asked to produce their certificate of registration or operator accreditation certificate to CASA officers, members of the Australian Federal Police, or State and Territory police. Fines of up to $11,100 may be applied to those caught operating contrary to the incoming registration and accreditation rules.

What do the new rules mean for your aviation insurance?

From an insurance perspective it’s important to follow the rules set by CASA, says McNamara.

“Failure to register a commercial drone or RPA or to operate commercially without an operator accreditation certificate (or RePL) may give rise to grounds for refusing an insurance claim in the event of an accident or loss involving the drone or RPA,” he says.

“We would always strongly encourage anyone using their drone for commercial purposes to check in regularly with the latest CASA guidance and information including at casa.gov.au/drones.”

Find out more about QBE’s dedicated insurance cover for drones and RPAs

¹ For specific weight category requirements for excluded category or micro RPA please visit: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/accreditation

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