Product Overview

Summary: This Drone Usage Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, WHS-aligned framework for planning, operating, and managing drones in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations safely integrate drone technology into their operations while controlling airspace, privacy, and on-site safety risks, and maintaining full compliance with CASA and WHS obligations.

As drones become more common across Australian industries – from construction and mining to utilities, agriculture and emergency services – businesses face new safety, compliance and reputational risks. This Drone Usage Management SOP sets out a structured, defensible process for assessing when and how drones are used, who can operate them, how risks are controlled, and how flight data and imagery are managed. It connects the practical realities of on-site drone operations with the legal requirements imposed by CASA and Australian WHS legislation.

The procedure covers the full lifecycle of drone operations: pre-flight planning, operator competency, airspace checks, site-specific risk assessments, communication with workers and the public, flight execution, incident response, and post-flight data handling. It helps organisations prevent near misses and incidents involving people, plant and property, while also managing privacy, cyber security, and community expectations. By implementing this SOP, businesses can leverage drone technology for inspections, surveying, monitoring and marketing with confidence that safety, compliance and governance have been properly addressed.

Key Benefits

• Ensure drone operations are conducted in line with CASA regulations and WHS duties of care.
• Reduce the risk of injuries, property damage and near misses arising from uncontrolled drone use.
• Standardise how drones are planned, authorised, flown and supervised across all sites and projects.
• Strengthen governance over drone-related data, imagery and privacy to protect organisational reputation.
• Streamline training, induction and competency verification for in-house and contractor drone pilots.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers
• Project Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Drone Pilots and Remote Operators
• Survey and Inspection Managers
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Construction Managers
• Emergency Response Coordinators
• IT and Data Governance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Collision of drones with workers, members of the public, structures or mobile plant
• Loss of control or fly-away incidents due to equipment failure, interference or poor weather
• Struck-by injuries from falling drones, batteries or payloads
• Distraction of workers and plant operators during critical tasks
• Battery fire, thermal runaway and charging-related electrical hazards
• Privacy breaches and unlawful surveillance of workers or the public
• Cybersecurity risks associated with unsecure drone firmware, apps and data transmission
• Noise and nuisance impacts on neighbouring properties or sensitive receptors
• Manual handling strains from transporting, launching and recovering drones and equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (including RPA, ReOC, RePL, no-fly zones)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Regulatory and WHS Compliance Obligations
• 5.0 Drone Selection, Registration and Maintenance Requirements
• 6.0 Operator Licensing, Training and Verification of Competency
• 7.0 Flight Planning and Risk Assessment Process
• 8.0 Site-Specific Hazard Identification and Control Measures
• 9.0 Airspace, Weather and Environmental Condition Checks
• 10.0 Pre-Flight Checks and Authorisation to Fly
• 11.0 Communication Protocols with Site Personnel and the Public
• 12.0 Safe Operating Procedures During Flight
• 13.0 Battery Management, Charging and Storage Procedures
• 14.0 Data, Imagery, Privacy and Cybersecurity Management
• 15.0 Post-Flight Activities, Logging and Reporting
• 16.0 Incident, Near Miss and Non-Compliance Reporting
• 17.0 Contractor and Third-Party Drone Operator Management
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures and Loss-of-Control Response
• 19.0 Inspection, Review and Continuous Improvement of Drone Operations
• 20.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping

Legislation & References

• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cth) – Part 101 Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) – Advisory Circulars and Guidelines for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth/model) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth/model) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
• AS/NZS ISO/IEC 27001 Information security management systems (for drone data governance)
• AS/NZS 3820 Essential safety requirements for electrical equipment (for charging equipment selection and use)