Flying drones on campus
UQ Drones Temporary Management Procedure
Drones (uncrewed aircraft) are an invaluable emerging aviation technology that can provide enormous benefit to society. However, their rapid uptake necessitates comprehensive regulation to ensure safety while potential risks are being identified and addressed.
Whether you are aware or not, operating an uncrewed aircraft recreationally or commercially encumbers you, your employer, and the owner of the aircraft with responsibilities and liabilities under the Airspace Act, Civil Aviation Act, and Damage by Aircraft Act; this is called strict liability ('uncrewed aircraft' herein referred to as 'unmanned aircraft').
You need approval to operate a drone on any UQ campus or site, or in any other activity associated with your employment at the University.
What you need to do if you want to operate a drone in activities associated with your employment at the University:
Step 1
- Familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations (https://www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules)
- Apply for your individual aviation reference number (ARN) (https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/aviation-reference-numbers)
- Complete either your operator accreditation (free online) or remote pilot licence (1 week course) (https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/get-your-operator-credentials/operator-accreditation#Operatoraccreditationrequirements)
- Contact the Chief Remote Pilot to ensure the drone is registered under UQ's ARN (https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/registration-and-flight-authorisations/register-your-drone#Droneregistrationrequirements)
- Complete the UQ drones training module in Workday (Not yet in force)
- Consider the HSW risk, ethical, and privacy implications associated with your planned operation
Step 2
- Notify the relevant site/security manager
- Use UQSafe to submit a risk assessment to your manager considering the HSW risks, frequency and duration of your operations (consult template #35797)
- Complete the UQ Drones Excluded Category Planning Form and submit to drones@uq.edu.au
- Refer to the UQ Drones Excluded Category Guideline for an Operational Checklist to assist you in operating safely
For enquiries and operational support, contact drones@uq.edu.au
UQ Drones Collaborative Research Platform
The UQ drones platform is currently in an establishment phase, now is the chance to have your say.
Let us know what you want the UQ drones platform to do or you at drones@uq.edu.au
The UQ Drones Collaborative Research Platform is a national common-use initiative designed to enhance uncrewed survey capabilities in the research community.
Our services include:
- Equipment Library: Availability of cutting-edge uncrewed systems and sensors.
- Uncrewed Survey Services:
- Remote Sensing
- Geophysics
- Water, Soil, and Air Sampling
- Bespoke Payload Integration
- Consultation: Access to uncrewed survey expertise.
- Compliance Support: Guidance for complex operations and regulatory requirements.
- Training: Tailored training for specific operations and basic training for users at all levels.
- Data Processing and Evaluation: Advanced data analysis services.
- Computing Resources: High-performance computing for data-intensive tasks.
- Commercial Services: Industry partnership for research conversion.
- Research Support: Merit-based co-contributions for research projects and assistance with relevant grant applications.
For more information, please contact drones@uq.edu.au
External Parties for Drone Operations at UQ
If you are engaging an external party to operate drones in activities associated with the University, refer to the contractor safety management procedure.
Consult the Chief Remote Pilot to record the necessary contractor details regarding drone operations.
These will include:
- Certificate of currency for contractor’s public liability and professional indemnity insurance
- Evidence of licences certificates and accreditations
- CASA Certificate of registration for drones
For enquiries please contact: