Our Drone Articles

A T50 costs 34,500.0 ex. GST (MSRP) for the standard 3-battery kit (aircraft, controller, charger and 3x batteries). You may choose to add a spreader (hopper for seeding, fert, baits). For a more advanced setup, add a RTK3 base station for more precision,  M4E mapping drone for large area mapping (250 ha per day), and a recommended spec laptop for map making (basically a high res and up to date version of Google maps satellite view , that can be used for automated T50 mission design. 

For broadacre spraying, a simple formula to go off is multiply the application rate x 1.8. Therefore, spraying broadacre at 20L/ha would be $36.0 per ha, 30L/ha would be $54.0 per ha, 40L/ha would be $72.0 per ha and so on. As always, contractors need to be aware of the options being offered in their local area, and their pros and cons and price accordingly. Sometimes drone contractors can charge a bit less if a local boom operator is discounting, and other times more, if it's wet or there are power lines and there is no other option. We find some contractors prefer to base their pricing on a per hour rate. This can be a good way to find out what you need to charge per Ha, but remember growers always prefer a per ha rate.

For spot spraying in pasture (weeds on undulating country, hills, gullies , fence lines, difficult country etc.), is normally $275.0 to $325.0 per hour.  While this can seem expensive to growers, a few facts should be mentioned. As discussed, a drone will cover more area quicker, use less active chemicals (sometimes up to 50%), and only spray target weeds. This means the end cost is usually less than contact hand spraying in most areas. It is also nearly always a better kill (no human error to determine rates, and the drone sits above the middle of the target which can be out of reach for a hand wand). 

Return on investment (ROI): a standard T50 3-battery kit (aircraft, controller, charger and 3x batteries) is 34,000.0 ex GST. You should see a very good return on investment as a property owner e.g. increasing your grazable land on the property, and needing less contractors. And also as a contract sprayer, typically charging at least $2200.0 per day.   

Go to T50 bundles (shop page)

For broadacre work, The DJI T50 can cover up to 17 ha (42 acres) of cotton per hour  (at 20L per ha application rate (one drone). 130 ha per day is a good day.  These are real world achievements cited from our own cotton farming customers in QLD and validated on-site. Expect particularly good results with fungicide, foliar, micros and insecticide. The spreader/hopper results are particularly outstanding as well. 

For spot spraying, compared to a quick spray, you should expect to be roughly twice as efficient and be using 10%-50% 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. So if an area normally takes you 4 days with a quick spray, you will do it in 2 days with the drone, and will be using less chemical and working less hard – as you’re more efficient and not walking up and down steep hills with a hose.  Even with  a motorised reel on a quick spray, it’s still relatively hard work.

In some cases we have found that spot spraying on extremely rough terrain can be a lot quicker than traditional ground application. An area of 20ha may yield 5ha of target weed like blackberry. Using drones we can map this area so we only spray the target plant, and we would cover that area (even in very complex and difficult terrain) in 5 to 7 hr. Using a hand spray on the same terrain, we tested a contractor and they took 4 to 5 days (two loads a day due to high travel for refill). 

Compared to a helicopter , you will see far more spray control/precision is possible. The automated systems on a drone allow for very accurate (down to 10mm) GPS positioning, This means no stripping due to spray run positioning. The low operational height of the drone also allows for better droplet control over traditional aerial application. Droplets are retained in the rotor wash and pushed onto the target. Fly your DJI T50 over the weeds - its rotors will drive the chemical down from above the centre of the target weed section, and quickly move on to the next section.  You can even pre-map the area, shade in the sections of weed over the map (with your computer mouse), save it as a prescription map, and the T50 will autonomously go out and saturate each patch of weeds on its own. 

How to compare a spray drone with an self-propelled (SP) sprayer 

Whilst productivity has come a long way with the DJI T50, you still need multiple drones to cover what an SP sprayer can do in a day. Let’s say you’re doing 500 ha a day with your SP sprayer. You might need 4x T50 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 T50 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, however the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world suggests this may not be good for you.

We have many customers who choose to have an extra person (2 people) licensed and trained up. This is good for staff/operational redundancy, good for general information sharing as a team during the drone learning curve. Customers frequently comment that their drone purchase has helped them and other family members stay passionate about being on the property by way of using interesting technology to achieve more efficient ways of doing things. 

Almost all our customers comment on the simple availability of the drone being such an asset – they can go and spray any time day or night , especially useful when your weather window closes in , or when contractors are unavailable / booked out.

The T100 is coming next and is expected to be doing 225 ha per day.  If you run 4 of them that’s 900 ha per day – this new T100 will really push spray drones into broadacre farming.

Go to T50 bundles (shop page)

Have you ever been unable to get your trail rig over ground, because it's too wet, too rough or any other access issues? Ever wished your self propelled sprayer could push more product into the target, operate over soft/wet country, cause no compaction, need no diesel, require hardly any maintenance, and be more efficient with both chemical and water rates? 

Spray drones allow spraying in any ground condition, if there is air above - it can spray it. The rotor wash on drones also provides a mixing effect, making your chemical more effective than traditional methods. 

For graziers, ever wished you could spray your weeds more easily, accurately target only the weeds and get to the areas you could never do with a Quick Spray / spot spray unit (steep, rocky, gullies, etc)? The DJI T50 makes it easy to hit more of your weeds (e.g. blackberry, tussock, St. johns wart, lantana) and increase your grazable land. 

See Farm Futures article: “Ag drone use soars as farmers see results” , May 6, 2025.

2-min video: see the high flow rate and penetration a DJI T50 can deliver (showing with T50 Atomized Sprinkler Package ($1090.0 fitted). 

5 things our customers (growers and graziers) say they like most about the DJI T50 

1. Availability: By having a T50 yourself, you can spray/spread anytime, day or night in a moment's notice. Taking advantage of seasonal conditions and reducing yield loss while you wait for a contractor. 

2. Efficacy: The drones' propellers sit typically just 3-4m off the ground, pushing the droplets down and circulating them to get more liquid on-target. This increases active chemical contact to the target, allowing under leaf and stem contact. 

3. No ground compaction or crop knock down ,meaning no yield loss & no machine wear from ground impacts. 

4. Accuracy and precise spray control: Spray drones can get into areas you've never felt safe taking your tractor into: steep, gullies, fence lines etc. RTK operation allows for GPS positioning that is accurate to 10mm. 

5. Chemical safety: spraying via drone allows you to stand back at a distance meaning reduced risk of chemical exposure.

Watch our 35-min full T50 demo video 

Go to T50 bundles (shop page)

Are you interested in advancing your drone technology skills? Drones for Hire provides the DJI T40/T50/T100  Type Rating Certification, designed for current Multi Rotor RePL holders. With this certification, you gain the ability to operate your personal T40 drone on your property. If you plan to extend your flying activities to other properties, consider obtaining an additional ReOC license in conjunction with your type rating certification.

FAQs’

Q1: Can I fly my T40/T50/T100 drone anywhere with the type rating?

A1: The DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification allows you to operate your T40/T50/T100 drone on your property. However, if you intend to fly on other properties, you may need to obtain an additional ReOC license.

Q2: Can I fly any large drone with the type rating?

A2: No, the type rating is specific to the DJI T40/T50/T100 drone and does not grant permission to operate drones over RePL standards. Different certifications or licenses are required for larger drones.

Q3: How long does it take to complete the type rating certification?

A3: The duration to complete the DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification varies based on prior experience. If you are familiar with DJI products, such as the T30, the endorsement can take just a few hours. However, for those less experienced, it typically involves training courses and assessments, spanning several days to weeks. 

Q4: What are the prerequisites?

A4: To obtain the DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification, you typically need to hold a Multi Rotor RePL (Remote Pilot License) and fulfill any additional qualifications specified by relevant authorities.

Q5: How much does it cost?

A5: The cost of obtaining the DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification varies, but it's generally around $1300. If you get it with a T40/T50/T100 drone get $300 off your purchase.

Q6: Does it expire?

A6: The DJI T40/T50/T100 type rating certification does not expire.

Q7: What should I expect during the training?

A7: During DJI T40/T50/T100 Type Rating Certification training, you can expect to learn the following:

- Comprehensive instruction on the operation of the DJI T40/T50/T100 drone.

- Training on the maintenance and care of the drone.

- Practical hands-on experience in flying the DJI T40/T50/T100.

- Guidance on safety protocols and regulations.

- Evaluation through assessments or exams to ensure competency.

DFH Dry Hire – How we do it!

Elevate your projects with our cutting-edge drone rental service! Whether you're a professional photographer, farmer, or an enthusiast, our fleet is ready for you. 

Purchasing a new drone for your business is a big investment, it is always nice to try out the drones before purchasing them. Renting a drone from Drones For Hire (DFH) is a very easy and straightforward process. Here is what to expect:

1. Submit Inquiry - Aside from leaving us a message on the page, feel free to contact us via phone or email with your rental request. Our staff is happy to answer your questions! Think about these questions to help you to recommend the drone that best suits your needs.

1. Specifying the drone model  if you have one in your mind.

2. Tell us your job or purpose, what do you want to use the drone for!

3. When do you need the drone, and the duration of it.

4. Recreational or Commercial.

5. Prior experience in using it? We can help!

2. Receive Quote & Invoice - We will confirm stock availability and send a rental quote along with a proforma invoice.

3. Make Payment - Secure your rental by making the payment, including the refundable safety deposit.

4. Shipment & Tracking - We ship the drone to your location and provide tracking details.

5. Use & Operate - Enjoy your rental for the agreed duration.

6. Return Process - We will arrange the shipment pickup for you! Hassle free, just stay home and someone will come to you. We will provide return shipping instructions and you just have to stick the shipping labels for easy delivery.

7. Inspection & Refund – Upon return and inspection, we process the refundable safety deposit.

NEW: We now also offer a hull insurance option - for more details, please visit: Hull Insurance for Drone Rentals.

Check our FAQ for more details!

 Explore our latest fleet below and elevate your projects today with our premium drone rental service.

DJI Matrice 4 Thermal (M4T) An upgraded version of the M3T. Best suit if you are doing night operations or in a low light environment. It is really popular for search and rescue, or wildlife jobs. It now comes with the upgraded RC plus 2 controller. It works with the Flight Hub 2 and features an AI model which includes automatic object identification. You now also have the laser range finder for real-time measurement. Hire to find out how much better it does before deciding on an upgrade from M3T to M4T. It suits better if you require more advanced features.

DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise (M4E) RTK module attached to the drone, rather than being optional like the M3E. Definitely the most popular choice for mapping, just import the data to Terra and you can generate the 3D models. It now also supports the AI recognition and laser range finder. The 3D Smart flight planning function now greatly improves the clarity of models to millimeter accuracy and is only available in M4E/T!

DJI Mavic 3 Thermal It also includes a thermal camera that you can zoom in for thermal images. The thermal and RGB images can be displayed sided by side for comparison in real time. Best suit if you are doing night operations or in a low light environment. It is really popular for search and rescue, or wildlife jobs. Compared to the M4T, it is a bit more compact, it’s also more cost-effective and effective enough for general and daily operations.

DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral Aside from image capturing like other Mavic 3 series drones, it captures multispectral images (non-infrared sensor) which can be used to analyse the NDVI. It is useful to study the soil and vegetation conditions, especially when you are working on environmental projects, or in an agricultural field doing crop health analysis. The Matrice 4 series currently does not support the multispectral cameras yet, so M3M is a high-value choice.

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (M3E) drone excels in precision mapping and surveying tasks, offering exceptional imaging capabilities with a 20MP wide-angle camera, 4/3 CMOS sensor, and 56x hybrid zoom for accurate and efficient data collection.

DJI Mini 4 Pro The DJI Mini 4 Pro, known for its lightweight design and quiet operation, is particularly advantageous for aerial photography and videography, making it ideal for capturing stunning landscapes and cinematic shots in various environments.

DJI Matrice 300 RTK M300 is a high-performance option for advanced industrial operations. It offers up to 55 minutes flight time and RTK capabilities. Popular cameras and sensors used with this drone include: H20T, H30T and P1, this offer incredibly high image quality. License is required if you are operating commercially while not over your own load. Contact us for details.

DJI Matrice 350 RTK The Matrice 350 RTK is equipped with RTK technology, making it highly accurate for surveying and mapping tasks that require precise georeferencing.

DJI Zenmuse P1 Very high resolution imaging (45MP vs 20MP with M4E) which handles precise mapping and surveying in ease. Given the high resolution, the drone can operate at a higher altitude to capture larger areas, then produce detailed images in a short period. Very easy to use with the M300.

DJI Zenmuse H30T The DJI Zenmuse H30T is an advanced, all-weather, multi-sensor payload designed for professional aerial imaging applications.

DJI Agras T10 The Agras T10 is designed specifically for agricultural applications. It can carry liquid payloads for crop spraying and provides precision control for targeted agricultural tasks.

DJI D-RTK 2 GNSS mobile station with Tripod It comes with a tripod and WB37 batteries. Very useful in surveying and precision tasks, definitely get this to increase the accuracy to cm-level. It is compatible with most of the mapping drones like the Mavic, Matrice, and phantom 4 series.

DJI Relay The DJI Relay excels in precision agriculture, enabling centimeter-level accuracy for crop spraying, mapping, and data collection with compatible DJI drones.

Z15 Gimbal Spotlight (for M200,M300,M350) ​The Wingsland Z15 is a high-intensity, 3-axis stabilized gimbal spotlight designed for DJI Matrice drones, offering powerful illumination for low-light operations such as search and rescue, firefighting, law enforcement, and infrastructure inspection.​

Zenmuse H20T It has four sensors, including the zoom, wide, thermal camera and the laser rangefinder (LRF). A popular solution with the M300. The increased weather capacity, zoom power and LRF is what stands out from the Matrice thermal series.

DJI M600P The Matrice 600 Pro is a versatile and reliable drone suitable for mapping, surveying, and aerial photography. It can carry a variety of payloads, including high-quality cameras and LiDAR sensors, making it ideal for detailed mapping tasks.

Chemical Spraying Certification for Drone Operations in Australia

Disclaimer

This document provides general information on chemical spraying certification for drone operations in Australia. Licensing requirements may change, and applicants should verify details with their respective regulatory authorities before proceeding with any application.

Overview

To legally conduct aerial chemical spraying using drones in Australia, each state has its own regulatory body and specific requirements for the necessary licenses and certifications. 

For ‘Normal’ size drones including mapping drones such as DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral (M3E, M3M, M3T) or Phantom 4 RTK.

Step 1: get an operator accreditation – it’s free and lasts for 3 years

Start here:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/get-your-operator-credentials/operator-accreditation

Step 2: register your drone before its first flight - $40 if over 500 grams (most of them such  as DJI Mavic 3 , Phantom 4, Air 3 etc)

Start here:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/registration-and-flight-authorisations/register-your-drone

For spray drones (DJI T25, T50 etc)

Steps 1 and 2 above plus:

Step 3: keep the required records of your operations

Start here:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/registration-and-flight-authorisations/record-keeping

Step 4:  get a remote pilot licence (RePL). About $1500-2500 , and 3 days online form home, plus 1-2 days face to face , depending on which training company you choose. DFH subsidises these costs for customers who purchase their spray drone with us. For more information please contact the DFH ag. team on 1300 029 829 or [email protected]

Note that if you have the DJI T10, you can skip Step 4: remote pilot licence (RePL), because the T10 is the only one that is less than 25kgs – its falls into a different CASA category.    

Important notes to remember:

There are no CASA authorisations required to conduct spraying operations when operating one drone on your own land besides the RePL and so long as you remain within the standard operating conditions. 

The above rules are for when flying on your own property (not being paid to fly).If flying on other people’s property (typically being paid to fly), you will need to add a Type Rating (also called an endorsement (about $1,100.0) , and have a Remote operators certificate ReOC (about $2,000.0). DFH also subsidises these costs for customers who purchase their spray drone with us. For more information please contact the DFH ag. team on 1300 029 829 or [email protected]

Always adhere to the drone safety rules (standard operating conditions) – these apply to all operators.

You may have noticed the T50 has 2 pairs of rotors (not just 1), stacked on top of each other , at the end of each arm.

There is a correct amount of propeller surface area needed , proportionate to the weight of the aircraft , to create sufficient thrust / lift . This can be achieved by adding more rotors (coaxial) or making each rotor larger (regular quad / octocopter ).

Here are some implications of each design:

1. Updraft and drift
The MTOW (max take off weight)  for the T50 is 103kg.  If the MTOW of another aircraft is higher (let’s say 110kg for instance) , it needs more thrust , which could potentially mean more updraft of spray droplets and may lead to more spray drift.

2.Torsional strain
with coaxial, the rotors spin opposite directions, containing and balancing the torsional strain at each arm.

with a regular quadcopter,  the torsional strain goes right through the airframe. so the airframe needs more heavy construction (usually equals more weight) to cope with this.

3. Stability
The coaxial is also more stable and controllable , especially in a  gust of wind. This creates much better yaw stability. that’s because the airspeed is much higher going through the coax props than a regular quadcopter.  

4. Redundancy and safety
With more rotors, if some of them get damaged , the other ones may be able to still mean the aircraft can come down slowly and in control ( and less likely crash).  With only 4 pairs of rotors, if one of them is damaged badly enough, the aircraft will very likely lose control and crash.

One Indiana farm family is making the most of constantly evolving precision agriculture technology to help them be successful. The poynter family of Putnam County used to hire spray planes to apply fungicides. When their oldest son, Noah, gained experience with drones, they found they could reach more of their crop and save money in the process.

They now use two of their own drones to spray fungicide on all their corn. They also do some spot-spraying.

"Before, when we were using spray planes, there were 500 acres on rotation that could not be reached because of obstacles that stood in the plane's way," Noah Poynter says. That's what prompted the family to make the switch to drones.

"Spray planes can be something hard to come by," says John Evans, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue.

How drone use started

"It started out as creating videos for my mom for Ag Day," Poynter recalls. He got his first drone in 2015, and has used numerous models throughout the years. One of the ways he's used his drones is to take videos and pictures. He produces videos and pictures for his business. Noah Poynter Media. He collaborates with different ag companies and even Purdue's College of Agriculture on some events.

Poynter and his brother got licenses to spray with their drones in 2022. Poynter then started using his drone in 2022 to spray fungicide on their corn.

After the poynters started using drones, they found they were saving money.

"With drones, your window of operation can be better; you don't have to wait for the ground to dry," Evans says

"Using drones works very well for us," Poynter says. "We do not have to pay someone and can now get fungicide on corn that has never seen it before."

He says this is something that they will keep doing. Right now, the family has the largest drone available for spraying.

Serious sprayers

The Poynters have two DJI Agras T40 drones, which are 220 pounds at take-off, poynter says

Evans explains that drones can compete with ground sprayers and spray planes because they make it possible to cover more acres in one day.

In addition to applying fungicide on all their corn, Poynter does some custom application for a few neighbours and family friends.

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could be a new tool in the biosecurity toolbox making pest control more targeted, safer and less invasive.

So says Scion’s plant protection physics and chemistry team lead Dr Justin Nairn, adding UAVs can fly closer to the target than a helicopter (about two metres versus 10m-plus) have a smaller footprint and fly slower so can be more precise.

The research comes two years since the discovery of the fall armyworm in New Zealand in February 2022 – the moth caterpillar threatening crops.

Nairn’s initial studies in March 2021 into the general efficiency of spraying with UAVs used fluorescent dye to investigate how UAVs performed in aerial spray operations in urban environments.

In February last year scientists trialled a key bio-insecticide for combating Lepidoptera moths.

While the trial findings are being finalised, Nairn says using UAVs for pest control is growing quickly as operational limitations like cost, weight and flight time are reducing with technology advances.

He expects climate change could increase the risk of invasive pests reaching New Zealand and affecting its multi-billion-dollar primary sector, so Scion researchers hope UAVs can provide a more efficient urban biosecurity solution.

Scion has been involved with pest incursion responses and field research in aerial spray methodology for decades – from a seven-year $65 million response to the painted apple moth in Auckland in 1999 to the ongoing battle against fall armyworm and managing myrtle rust – looking for new, more targeted ways to tackle pest and insect outbreaks.

Fast and effective pest control is vital to prevent pest and pathogen establishment, although there needs to be a balance between engaging communities ahead of incursion responses and the potential need for fast action, Scion social scientist Dr Andrea Grant says.

“If community concerns are not addressed and they have no opportunity to respond to planned operations, they may lose confidence and support for urban biosecurity operations in future.”

In aligned research, Grant ran focus groups looking at social and cultural considerations of UAV spraying which included social researchers, UAV researchers, Māori involved in forest protection and management, and forestry managers.

Participants identified social issues like human health, safety and ethics, professionalisation of UAV use, Te Tiriti partnerships, engagement and capability.

Grant and her collaborators also held a co-design workshop where participants noted the need to work with Māori alongside key agencies in research, policy, operations and ethical aspects of co-design.

Māori environmental not-for-profit Te Tira Whakamātaki was included in focus groups.

Chief scientist Dr Simon Lambert says much of the Māori economy is in the primary sector so highly reliant on the environment.

“Māori are increasingly aware of the vulnerability of their assets and cultural capital to biosecurity events and are not opposed to technological innovation but insist on early and ongoing engagement.”

Better Border Biosecurity (B3) is a multi-partner joint venture researching ways to reduce entry and establishment of new plant pests and diseases in New Zealand.

B3 Director Dr Desi Ramoo says Nairn’s research is an example of adapting existing technology into an applied biosecurity tool.

“We must be prepared with a number of solutions developed from Western science and mātauranga Māori to ensure we are ahead of the game and move from a reactive to proactive biosecurity system.”

Forest Owners Association biosecurity manager Brendan Gould says successful intervention relies on the ability to respond, but community impacts and implications need to be considered as part of the process of operational design.

He says engagement before an incursion is important but challenging when immediate action is needed.

Scion’s research allowed for pre-engagement to be considered. Nairn’s work was part funded by Better Border Biosecurity while Grant’s was part funded by Forest Growers Research Trust, and both received Strategic Science Investment

Written by Geoff Dobson