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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.

Note: work suggested below needs to be performed by an electrician.

Fastest charging – use C12,000 charger (3-phase only)

Setup: C12,000 charger connected to a 3-phase min. 16kva genset (petrol or diesel). 

This Hyundai 18 Kva - 3 phases generator is recommended.

Cable setup: merge the 2x black leads that come out of the charger into 1x 32amp 3-phase plug (large round orange one), to go into the corresponding socket on the genset.


2nd Fastest charging – C10,000 charger

Setup - choose either:

a min 15kva single-phase genset (inverter pure sine wave if petrol)
or,
3-phase min 14kva genset (inverter pure sine wave if petrol)

This Hyundai 18 Kva - single phase generator is recommended.

Single-phase cable setup:
Take the 2x black leads that come out of the C10,000 charger, add a 32amp single phase plug to the end of each cable, and a  32amp single phase socket at the genset.  pics below

Merge the 2x black leads that cone out of the charger into 1x 32amp single-phase plug (large round orange one), to go into corresponding 32amp single-phase socket on genset.  

Purpose and Use Case

DJI T100:
Designed for large, open, and relatively flat properties (300+ ha), the T100 excels in broadacre operations. Its size, speed, and liquid capacity make it ideal for covering long, uninterrupted runs with minimal obstacles like trees or steep hills.

DJI T50:
While the T50 is also suitable for broadacre work, it's more compact and agile-making it better suited to mixed terrain including hills, paddock edges, and tighter spaces. Though it covers less ground per hour than the T100, its versatility is a strength.

Productivity and Performance
T50:
- Already available and field-proven.
- June sale pricing: $27,500 ex GST for the 3-battery bundle.
- Two T50s can cover up to 26 ha/hour combined (13 ha/hour each at 25 L/ha application rate).
- Flow rate: 24 L/min.
- Tank capacity: 40 L.
- Cruise speed: ~28 kph.

T100 (estimated):
- Not yet released; real-world performance still to be confirmed.
- Estimated coverage: ~21 ha/hour at 25 L/ha.
- Flow rate: up to 40 L/min.
- Tank capacity: 75 L.
- Likely spray speed: ~38 kph.

In theory, the T100 could be ~1.5x more productive than a single T50. However, it's still slightly less productive than two T50s combined-though simpler logistically, with just one aircraft to manage and fewer battery swaps.

Labour and Logistics
2x T50s:
- Requires 2 operators.
- More equipment to manage.
- Greater trailer space and more setup time.
- Can operate side-by-side or in different paddocks simultaneously.

T100:
- Operable by a single person.
- Bulkier, but designed to be disassembled for easier transport.
- Easier to manage day-to-day from a staffing perspective.

Reliability and Maturity
T50:
- Well-tested and reliable in Australian conditions.
- A known issue with some battery batches has now been resolved.

T100:
- Brand new platform.
- As with most new tech, expect some initial firmware issues.
- DJI generally responds quickly with updates.

Cost Comparison and ROI
Option A: Two T50s
- 2x T50 kits (3 batteries each): $55,000 ex GST
- 2x Spreaders: $4,000
- 24 kVA generator required
- Total: ~$59,000 ex GST

Option B: One T100
- T100 kit (3 batteries): ~$44,000 ex GST (expected)
- 1x Spreader: $2,000
- 16 kVA 3-phase generator required
- Total: ~$46,000 ex GST

Additional Considerations:
- The T100 will likely hold its value longer due to newer tech.
- T50s are eligible for the instant asset write-off before June 30.
- With two drones, you gain operational redundancy and more flexibility.

Final Thoughts
If you need a solution right now that is proven, versatile, and cost-effective-two T50s are a smart move, especially while EOFY deals and tax incentives are active.

If your primary goal is broadacre efficiency with simpler logistics and you're comfortable waiting (and taking a chance on a new platform), the T100 may be worth holding out for.

We hope these insights help with your decision. For tailored advice, contact the DronesForHire.com.au team on 1300 029 829 or [email protected]

Spec Comparison

Charging and Battery Comparison

View T100 bundles for sale - with option to reserve a kit from our first shipment

View 30 min first impressions video below

For broadacre work, we speculate (we don’t have our first unit yet as at the time of writing – 15/7/25), that the DJI T100 will cover up to 26 ha of crops like cotton per hour  (at 20L per ha application rate (one drone).

For spot spraying, compared to a quick spray, you should expect to be roughly 3x as efficient and be using 20%-60% less chemical to get the same kill rate (spray drones are famous for their efficacy because they have the advantage of their big rotors pushing droplets  down, and circulating them throughout the target.

If you are an existing spray drone operator , operating a T50 or T40, you may perceive the T100 as a very big machine, designed just for large broadacre properties – this is not necessarily the case – the T100 has a new lidar sensory system which will enable it to much more confidently move around tricky country – steep, rocky sections, gullies, trees surprisingly well for a relatively big fella! This lidar system will also, in some cases,  negate the need to pre map the operating area  – because the aircraft is more capable of sensing its surrounding environment on the fly and making more confident (less hesitation ) manoeuvres as a result.

Let’s say you’re doing 500 ha a day with your SP sprayer. You might only need 2x or at most 3x T00 drones to do the same, but it’s important to note an SP sprayer costs about 20x as much ($800k or more), requires a lot more maintenance, and can’t operate on soft (wet) ground. So whilst a T100 is not an SP sprayer, it punches way above its weight considering its size, cost, and versatility. Not to mention its modular design, uncomplicated maintenance program, low cost of parts, no diesel expense, and much more efficient use of inputs.

Keep in mind, operating one or more spray drones requires battery changes and liquid/granular refills as a steady workflow as you’re going. You’re not sitting in the cab of an SP sprayer – rather,  your running an ag drone pit crew!

View T100 bundles for sale - with option to reserve a kit from our first shipment

View 30 min first impressions video below

View T100 bundles for sale - with option to reserve a kit from our first shipment

View 30 min first impressions video below

The T100 can empty its full tank in just ~2–3 minutes at max flow, allowing fast, dense applications when needed (e.g. fertilizer, frost control). You can also fine-tune spray settings for lighter, more delicate applications. It's fast and flexible.

View T100 bundles for sale - with option to reserve a kit from our first shipment

View 30 min first impressions video below

Oscar (DFH head of Agriculture) with a customer Dave - getting his repaired T40 back home ready for work again.

1. Unmatched preparedness and willingness to support

Drones For Hire is an authorised DJI Agriculture Service Centre (DJI ASC).  This is because of our ag drone knowledge accumulation, service centre capabilities (repairs, demonstrations, training) and support network of technicians. We have multiple staff certified as official DJI Academy Certified Agras Instructors & DJI Certified Agras Repair Technicians. These staff had to pass exams and do complete disassembly and reassembly videos to show their knowledge is real.  Drones For Hire began selling the DJI MG-1P spray drone and has sold more DJI Ag. drones than any other dealer in Australia. We were doing demos for the T30 which had the older pressure (Teejet nozzles) back in 2022/3 (3-min video), T40 demo, and T50 demo . We support customers with a mature library of tech support videos such as this 5-min spreader calibration video tutorial. Here is a 2-min stockman video about the benefits of a regular sized drone (M3E) for scouting stock yards, monitoring feral pigs and even mustering.    

2. A setup and training day included at no cost

Spray drone purchasers receive a full day with a Drones For Hire technician for equipment set up and training. Face to face on your property. Drones For Hire has 2-3 technicians in each state, who typically own and use DJI spray drones, and mapping drones and related gear. We can’t underestimate how important this is and how often customers thank us for it. Because it means the technician has relevant knowledge and context as to how to best apply the technology to the kind of country you have on your property and your spraying/spreading goals. 

3. Mapping session included at no cost

A complimentary M3M/M4E (Mavic 3 Multispectral or Matrice 4 Enterprise) mapping flight to map the first 10 ha section of your property, as part of your setup day. Note this can be changed by request to e.g. demonstrate the Matrice 4 Thermal drone (for e.g. spotting feral pigs, counting cows, checking water levels in a cotton field).

4. Spray drone jobs subscription credit included at no cost

Credit for receiving spray drone job inquiries from our job inquiries marketplace (55,000 inquiries processed since 2013 – Australia’s largest and longest running drone job marketplace). 

Very handy if you wish to use your spray drone as a commercial business or just to pick up the odd local job.

5. Official AU stock that has a warranty and is insurable 

Drones For Hire is not interested in black market / grey market / illegal imports. These units are geo-locked by the OEM meaning they will only take off in a specific country / region of the world. Additionally, there is no local AU warranty, and the owners’ insurance policy will be void when they make a claim since the SN Serial Number will not pass the OEM reference check. Above all, these units are usually very poorly supported if at all, and arranged by short sighted, transient suppliers. 

Drones For Hire stock is legitimate and correct for the AU region and backed with an official DJI warranty. We have a good and long standing relationship with the leaders of DJI Agriculture, and local DJI staff in Australia.  

6. A commitment to innovation and local manufacturing 

Drones For Hire manufactures our own aluminium enclosures for spray drones (2-min video)

Drones For Hire also makes our own Batch Master chemical mixing stations, Fast Mover T50 transport kits, Fast-fill caps, RTK Hard Cases and various other items. 

Culturally, Our goal is to be the most farmer-centric ag. drone business in Australia and to grow fast by investing in our ‘support is sales’ mantra, and the mechanisms that enable it. 

7. Ag drone spares ready to ship

Drones For Hire recognises the urgency when a farming machine is out of action – often it happens at the worst time and can lead to yield and other losses. Our customers are always juggling different priorities and changing weather systems , varying prices for their crops/ beef/ wool etc.  

For this reason, Drones For Hire has pre-ordered and has in supply a large number of ag drone spares that we can ship very fast via our Toll Priority partnership. In all cases, we try our best to quickly understand the situation, identify the parts requirement, ship without delay and arrange help as required.

8. $1000.0 spares kit include at no cost 

We also include a $1000.0 spares kit for free with all our T50 bundles. The kit contents are carefully considered by our technicians and are updated when needed to give you the best chance of continuing to spray when a consumable part needs replacing.  

9. A solid presence in the Australian drone industry 

Drones For Hire has been operating for more than 10 years, and operates the largest and longest running drone jobs marketplace, having processed more than 55,000 drone jobs. Drones For Hire also sells $M of drone hardware each year and has a large dry-hire drone rental fleet. 

 10. A full workshop dedicated to repairs, modifications

Drones For Hire has a workshop for all warranty and non-warranty repairs. It consists of the equipment necessary to support our clients and keep their gear running such as a large working area, 100 ha for flight testing and training, substantial tools, winches, generators, vehicles, trailers, mixing/batching tanks, granular bins and a mapping training area/media area. 

Feel free to reach out and ask about the suitability of a T50 for your own property or for your contract spraying business:  [email protected] or 1300 029 829.

Go to T50 bundles (shop page)

Whatever your final T50 shopping list includes: always consider the long term and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) on your DJI Agras 50.

If your T50 is out of action because you can’t figure out how to do something specific or because it needs parts/repairs, and you can’t get support, consider the cost of losing part of your crop or losing control of your weeds. And for contract sprayers , the cost of losing a contract and losing your local area reputation as a dependable service provider. 

I. Choose a supplier that is renowned for support and look for evidence that they can. 

The temptation is to focus on the initial purchase price – we all do it. After all, that’s the figure that’s most visible and often the first number discussed. 

Another often-overlooked component of the TCO is the cost of poor knowledge. The DJI Agras T50 is a powerful tool, but like any sophisticated technology, it requires proper training and knowledge from a good dealer , to maximize its potential. We find that just some small tips can go a long way, even basic stuff, for example explaining how Manual+ mode (in the controller) can be far more effective than regular manual mode. It is also a big advantage so not only have a drone expert teaching you the system, but also someone that understands agriculture and contracting applications. 

The cost of poor knowledge / inadequate supplier training isn’t just about operating inefficiencies—it’s about missed opportunities for improving crop health, maximizing productivity, and lowering input costs. It’s essential to invest not only in the drone but also in comprehensive training and support to ensure that the equipment is used to its fullest potential. Knowledge gaps could lead to higher operational costs, poor performance, and ultimately, reduced returns on investment. DJI T50s are very well thought out with useful flight modes and settings for different mission types  - use them to your advantage. 

II. Choose a supplier that is invested in the future

Some more DJI T50 sellers have started to pop up, many of them single operators with an ABN, a spray drone, and ute. Consider these sellers’ capacity to support customers and willingness to stay the course when things get complicated or busy.  

$34K (ex GST) isn’t much for an agricultural machine that is as capable and versatile as a DJI T50. With the right approach to this technology you will see that back in under 6 months, and many times over , in a 2-3 year period , especially when you have critical spraying /spreading to do .Just  make sure you go in to it the right way;

• Get good advice for your initial setup (gear list that matches your needs), 
• Get training that is specific to your spraying priorities , and ideally bring in a 2nd person (son, contractor, farm hand) for redundancy and help along the way.  
• Go with a reputable supplier who has the means to arrange good support at short notice.

Go to T50 bundles (shop page)