Exciting Rental Fleet Updates as at April 2025
- DFH is now offering a simple credit card hold option for the value of the items you rent as the security deposit (EFT upfront no longer required).
- Your rental becomes free of charge if you decide to purchase the same item brand new within 14 days of the rental period.
- Rental fleet significantly enlarged as at March 2025, adding several units including Matrice 4 E, Matrice 4 T, H30T, M350 RTK, RTK3, flood lighting systems, tethered power solutions, M3M etc.
- We maintain a large and well managed Aus wide fleet of drones for dry hire. One of the models you are looking for may not be far from your location – call 13000 029 829 and ask for Rachel to get a quick heads up on the nearest location and best hire price for the item you need.
Contact Rachel our hire fleet manager:
1300 029 829
0490233192
Drones are transforming the agricultural industry by improving efficiency and reducing costs through aerial spraying, crop monitoring, and livestock management. However, it’s essential to comply with CASA regulations when operating drones in farming or commercial settings. Below is a guide to the current rules and requirements.
Weight Categories & Basic Requirements
≤250 g (Micro) / >250 g to ≤2 kg (Very Small)
Operator Accreditation if operating commercially (free, valid 3 years).
Drone Registration: (Free for drones ≤500 g, valid for 1 year).
Operating Conditions: Must follow Standard Operating Conditions (SOC) at all times.
>2 kg to ≤25 kg (Small)
Own Land (Landowner/ Private Landholder Excluded Category):
Operator Accreditation if operating commercially (free, valid 3 years).
Drone Registration (1-year validity).
Keep operational records.
Cannot accept payment for services.
Commercial / Any Land:
RePL required for the type/class of RPA.
Must operate under a ReOC (or under another operator’s ReOC).
Drone Registration (1-year validity).
Maintain operational records.
Compliance with SOC unless CASA approval is granted for EVLOS, BVLOS, spraying, or swarm operations.
>25 kg to ≤150 kg (Medium)
For drones over 25 kg, even if operating over your own land, CASA requires:
RePL with a Type Endorsement for the specific machine (e.g. T50 Type rating).
Drone Registration (1-year validity).
Keep operational records.
Cannot accept payment for services under excluded category.
Complex Operations (Require CASA Approvals)
Extended Visual Line-of-Sight (EVLOS)
RePL + ReOC or operate under a ReOC holder.
EVLOS procedures in your operations manual (CASA template available).
CASA approval required.
IREX no longer required for EVLOS.
Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS)
RePL + ReOC or operate under a ReOC holder.
Pass IREX (or operate under supervising RePL with IREX).
CASA approval required.
Note: CASA is developing a new BVLOS exam to replace IREX in future.
Swarm Operations (Multiple Drones)
RePL + ReOC or operate under a ReOC holder.
CASA approval required.
Spraying Operations
Own land: No CASA approval required if operating one drone only.
Commercial spraying: Requires CASA approvals under ReOC and compliance with local chemical regulations.
Check state or territory laws for chemical rating licences, Chemicals License Requirement.
Drones For Hire offers RePL training, ReOC application assistance, and type endorsement courses for agricultural drones such as the DJI T50. We also provide consulting for EVLOS, BVLOS, and swarm approvals.
Contact us today to get started:
Phone: 1300 029 829 | Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer This article provides general information only and does not replace CASA regulations or legal advice. Always refer to the latest CASA legislation and guidance before conducting any drone operations. For official information, visit casa.gov.au.
35-min video: T50 Full Spraying Demo
2-min video: Customer scouting stock yards, feral pigs and even mustering.
T30 demo, T40 demo, and T50 demo
8-min video: summary of the T50s flight modes available on controller screen
2-min video: see the high flow rate and penetration a DJI T50 can deliver
Video the T50 holding its droplets in a controlled vortex bubble over a rice plantation
Go to all our YouTube videos (demos, how-to videos, Shorts)
Get fast local quotes for contractor spraying or mapping work here
View dry-hire drone rental fleet and prices
DFH Batch Master chemical mixing stations
DFH aluminium enclosures for spray drones (2-min video)
CASA article: Drones taking agriculture sky high
AAUS: the leading association for uncrewed systems (drones, ROVs, robots) in Aus.
DJI Agriculture main site
Blackberry control action groups: Weeds Australia, VIC , NSW
Cotton Australia main site
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This article may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author or publisher, except in the case of brief quotations used for review or scholarly purposes.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content, readers should consult with qualified experts or local authorities before making decisions related to agricultural drone use, regulations, or investments.
