Visit drones.gov.au

Visit drones.gov.au for up-to-date information on policies and programs, alongside other information on emerging aviation technologies for the community, recreational and commercial flyers.

Launched on 30 September 2022, drones.gov.au provides a central location for information on emerging aviation technologies and drone use. This includes information on drone related policy, rules, regulations and specific resources on various linked sites, including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and state and territory sites.

Past reports and publications

Select past reports and publications are provided for reference below:

National Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy Statement

National Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy Statement PDF: 4272 KB

On 6 May 2021, the former Australian government released the National Emerging Aviation Technologies (NEAT) Policy Statement as part of the 2021–22 Budget's Digital Economy Strategy. As part of the policy statement, the former government committed to a range of whole-of-government initiatives that will create an efficient and adaptable operational ecosystem for emerging aviation technologies. This included development of Australia's Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management system, regulatory modernisation and providing industry support.

Economic Benefit Analysis of Drones in Australia

Economic Benefit Analysis of Drones in Australia PDF: 1938 KB

In October 2020, the department commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to quantify the potential economic benefits and savings emerging aviation technologies could have on the Australian economy over the next 5, 10 and 20 year periods.

National Aviation Policy Issues Paper on Emerging Aviation Technologies

National Aviation Policy Issues Paper on Emerging Aviation Technologies PDF: 2139 KB

In September 2020, the department released a National Aviation Policy Issues Paper on Emerging Aviation Technologies for industry and broader stakeholder consultation. This paper was the first step towards development of a national policy for the management of drones and other emerging aviation technologies:

  • identifying key opportunities and risks associated with these technologies
  • outlining some of the current approaches for managing these issues, and
  • proposing broad future policy directions.

The department received comments and submissions in response to the paper.