Drones, also called remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) are unmanned aircraft that are controlled remotely by a person or software program. Drones are used for many purposes including photography, mapping, field work, deliveries, and recreation.

Industry award coverage

An industry award will cover a drone operator if:

• their employer operates in the industry defined in the award
• there’s a classification which matches the employee’s duties and qualifications.

For example, a drone operator who does aerial surveys of the condition of tree plantations could be covered by the Silviculture Award.

No industry award coverage

Depending on the duties and qualifications of drone operators, they may be:

• covered by an occupational award
• covered by the Miscellaneous Award, or
• award free.

Occupational award coverage

An occupational award can cover a drone operator if:

• the award covers the work they do
• there's a classification which matches the employee’s duties and qualifications.

Miscellaneous Award

The Miscellaneous Award can cover drone operators if they’re not a managerial employee or professional employee. An employee may be considered a professional employee if their role requires a degree qualification, for example, a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Example

Astrid is a drone operator for a company that gathers ariel intelligence for their mining and agricultural sector clients.

She has a Certificate IV in Aviation (Remote Pilot - Beyond Visual Line of Sight) and holds a Remote Pilot Licence.

Astrid is covered under the Miscellaneous Award and is classified based on her duties and qualifications.

Award free

Drone operators not covered by an industry or occupational award, or by the Miscellaneous Award will be award free.

They're entitled to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards.