Environmental Regulations
The use of any sort of pesticide or herbicide in Australia is highly regulated to maintain our environmental safety.
Specific rules apply in most states for the use of unmanned aircraft to discharge these chemicals.
Chemical Handling
Most states require some form of chemical handling accreditation. The most popular way to achieve this is through the AQF3 “ChemCert” course.
Any chemical handling course must cover two units of competency:
- AHCCHM303/307 – Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and disease.
- AHCCHM304 – Transport and store chemicals.
Learn more about the guidelines for different States/Territories here…
Environmental Agency Regulations
Every state and territory in Australia has a slightly different approach to how the discharging of chemicals from an unmanned aircraft is regulated, although most require some kind of additional permit or license to be obtained prior to commencing operations.
Cross-border agreements also exist in some cases to allow operators to fly in different states legally under a single permit or license.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the regulations for your area:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/pesticides/licences-and-advice-for-occupational-pesticide-users/aerially-applying-pesticides
- You must hold a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) business and RPA pilot licence issued by the EPA to aerially apply pesticides by drone (also known as remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS))
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)
- https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/sustainable/chemical/aerial/pilot
- The pilot in command must hold a current pilot chemical rating licence issued under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 or a current equivalent licence issued in another state or territory.
- https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/sustainable/chemical/aerial/licence
- Any person or organisation that is in the business of aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals, or directs or authorises an aircraft to be used to do so, must hold an aerial distribution contractor licence issued under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966.
Agriculture Victoria
- https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/chemicals/licences-and-permits/licences-for-aerial-spraying-of-agricultural-chemicals#h2-3
- You must have an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (AAOL) that specifically authorises aerial spraying from RPA.
- Any person who pilots an RPA to carry out aerial spraying in Victoria must hold a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (PCRL) issued under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992, which specifically authorises aerial spraying from a RPA.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
- https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/plant-biosecurity/regulations-aerial-application-agricultural-chemical-products
- The qualification required for both piloted and remotely piloted aircraft is the Aerial Application Association of Australia, Spraysafe Agricultural Pilot Course; or equivalent.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- NO PUBLISHED GUIDELINES OR LICENSING INFORMATION (more information to follow).
Northern Territory Government
- https://nt.gov.au/industry/agriculture/farm-management/using-chemicals-responsibly/spray-applicator-licences
- You must get a licence to operate as a professional spray applicator for use as an aerial spray pilot.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE)
The RPA operator:
-
- must have completed training satisfactorily in handling, storage and transport of chemicals in
accordance with AHCCHM307 – Prepare and Apply Chemicals to Control Pest, Weeds and
Diseases and AHCCHM304 – Transport and Store Chemicals. - or his/her employer must hold a Commercial Operator’s Licence (COL).
- must hold the appropriate Remote Aircraft Pilots Licence (RePL) and a Remote Aircraft
Operators Certificate (ReOC) from CASA. - must comply with the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995 and the
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2022 and associated Orders
under the Act.
- must have completed training satisfactorily in handling, storage and transport of chemicals in
RPA Operator Requirements for Spraying Agricultural Chemicals_Version 2.2_ August 2023
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