Australia’s drone industry is booming. The number of certified commercial operators has risen dramatically in recent years, and the increasing capability and usability of drone technology has seen a huge rise in the number of businesses and consumers purchasing and using drones. 

Drones, or remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs), have numerous civil and commercial applications. They offer economic benefits and significant safety improvements to a diverse range of organisations through novel or more cost-effective capabilities. As such, drone technology has the potential to offer substantial social and economic benefits to Australian society. However, their increasing use has led to a number of incidents that draw attention to the air safety and privacy implications of RPA technology. As RPAs become more popular, they are increasingly being used in unsafe ways. In addition, the increasing sensitivity of the cameras and instruments they can carry has raised concerns about privacy intrusions.