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Aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals
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The distribution of agricultural chemicals involves spraying, spreading or dispersing from either ground equipment (ground distribution) or from an aircraft in flight (aerial distribution).
Aerial distribution includes not only aerial spraying of crops, but also any aerial baiting activity (e.g. rat or mice baits or 1080 baits) and public health pest control (e.g. municipal mosquito control programs). Aerial distribution is often the preferred method to apply agricultural chemicals when it is impractical or difficult to carry out ground distribution, particularly in wet seasons.
However, there are potential risks if agricultural chemicals are misused, particularly if product label instructions are not followed. In Queensland, pilots must be adequately trained to do the job and be accountable for any damage they cause as a result of their aerial distribution activities. For this reason, pilots and their businesses must be licensed.
This guide explains the licensing requirements and laws for aerial distribution, including the obligations for record keeping and avoiding agricultural chemical misuse.
Laws for using and distributing agricultural chemicals
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An 'agricultural chemical' includes any agricultural chemical product registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Legislation is in place to ensure that agricultural pilots and their businesses distribute agricultural chemicals responsibly and minimise agricultural chemical misuse to mitigate potential risks of harm to agriculture or livestock, the environment, trade or human health.
The following legislation regulates aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals:
- Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966
- Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021
- Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988
- Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Regulation 2017.
Also consider...
- Learn more about commercial operator's licence for using herbicides.
- Find out about ground distribution of herbicides in Queensland.
- Read more about agricultural chemicals.
Licensing arrangements for aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals
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Who can distribute agricultural chemicals by air
Only a commercial pilot with an agricultural rating, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilot holding a pilot chemical rating licence may command an aircraft from which aerial distribution is carried out.
In addition, the licensed pilot in command may only carry out aerial distribution in the course of the business of, at the direction of, or under the authority of, an aerial distribution contractor who holds an aerial distribution contractor's licence.
Getting the right licences
If you are the pilot in command of an aircraft and you have the required authorisation from CASA to carry out aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals, you can apply for a pilot chemical rating licence. If you are the sole pilot in command, carrying out aerial distribution in your own aerial distribution business you will also need to apply for an aerial distribution contractor licence.
If you operate an aerial distribution business and employ or engage several pilots to carry out aerial distribution on behalf of your business, you will need to apply for an aerial distribution contractor licence in the name of your business. All pilots carrying out aerial distribution for the business are required to be licensed.
These licences are issued by Biosecurity Queensland.
Landholders and aerial distribution
The Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 only applies to certain areas of the states, that is, regulated areas. If you are a landholder in a regulated area, who owns and operates your own aircraft to carry out activities on your own property, and unless you have the appropriate authorisation from CASA, you cannot obtain a pilot chemical rating licence. Therefore, you cannot conduct aerial distribution from your own aircraft.
- Manned aircraft – for use of a manned aircraft the recognised CASA authorisation is a commercial pilot licence with an agricultural rating.
- UAV – for use of a UAV you will need a remote pilot licence – regardless of CASA exemptions for relatively small UAVs used on privately-owned land.
Hiring a licensed contractor
Find all currently licensed aerial distribution contractors in your local area.
If you engage a licensed aerial distribution contractor to control pests or weeds on your property, you should communicate with the pilot before, during and after the distribution. This includes alerting the pilot to:
- any sensitive crops and areas, including creeks and streams, livestock paddocks or schools, hospitals or houses in the vicinity before commencement
- any significant changes in the weather pattern that may require them to suspend the activity.
In the case of aerial baiting operations, the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 requires that the aircraft must still be under the command of a licensed pilot.
As a landholder, there may at times be cause for you to accompany the licensed pilot in the aircraft to help disperse the aerial baits.
Pilot chemical rating licence
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About the pilot chemical rating licence
All aircraft - whether conventional aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operated from ground level – must be under the control of a licensed pilot in command when used for aerial distribution (spraying, spreading or dispersing) of agricultural chemicals.
The pilot in command must hold a current pilot chemical rating licence issued under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 or a current equivalent licence issued in another state or territory.
Apply for a pilot chemical rating licence
If you wish to obtain a pilot chemical rating licence, you must be at least 17 years old and hold a relevant civil aviation authorisation to pilot (as pilot in command) your aircraft, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This will be:
- for a manned aircraft, a commercial pilot's licence endorsed with an aerial application endorsement
- for a UAV, a civil aviation authorisation to control the UAV which you intend to use under the licence, and in the circumstances you intend to carry out the aerial distribution.
You will also require the necessary qualifications, either:
- the Spraysafe Pilot Accreditation from the Aerial Application Association of Australia
- or
- if you intend to use a UAV only, the holding of statements of attainment, obtained after completing the following Australian qualification framework (AQF) nationally recognised units of competency:
- AHCCHM307 – Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
- AHCCHM304 – Transport and store chemicals.
If you do not hold current qualifications for the above units of competency, our chief executive may consider previous versions of these qualifications or future training options that become available. If you want to rely on an alternative qualification or training to apply for a pilot chemical rating licence, you must demonstrate the qualification or training is relevant and substantially equivalent by comparing the qualification or training to the specified units of competency.
To apply once you are qualified, complete the online application for a licence and pay the prescribed fee.
This licence is issued for either a 1 or 3 year period, which you nominate when you apply.
Note: You cannot carry out aerial distribution unless you do so under the direction or authority of a licensed aerial distribution contractor. Any aerial distribution contractor must hold an aerial distribution contractor licence. Learn more about applying for an aerial distribution contractor licence.
Renewal of existing licences
If you have an email address recorded against your licence you will receive an automated notification 60 days prior to expiry date. However, you can also renew within the 60 day period using the online renewal form.
You will need your licence number to use the online renewal link. If you don’t know your number you can find this by using the chemical application licence register.
If your licence has expired, you cannot renew your licence and must apply for a new one.
Change of licence details
It is a requirement under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 that licensees notify the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) of any changes within 21 days.
To update your licence details, use the change request form. If you are renewing your licence, the renewal form also provides for changes to details.
If you cannot apply online, contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Aerial distribution contractor licence
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About the aerial distribution contractor licence
Any person or organisation that is in the business of aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals, or directs or authorises an aircraft to be used to do so, must hold an aerial distribution contractor licence issued under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966.
A licensed aerial distribution contractor may also distribute herbicides from ground equipment, or direct or authorise ground equipment to be used to do so.
Apply for an aerial distribution contractor licence
If you wish to obtain an aerial distribution contractor licence, you must first hold a licence to do aerial work, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority:
- for manned aircraft this is an air operator certificate (AOC), endorsed to conduct aerial application operations.
- for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) you need an unmanned aerial vehicle operator's certificate (UOC) or a remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC) approved for aerial work operations.
To apply once you are qualified, complete the online application for a licence and pay the prescribed fee.
This licence is issued for either a 1 or 3 year period, which you nominate when you apply.
Note: You cannot carry out aerial distribution unless you do so under the direction or authority of a licensed aerial distribution contractor. Any aerial distribution contractor must hold an aerial distribution contractor licence. Learn more about applying for an aerial distribution contractor licence.
Renewal of existing licences
If you have an email address recorded against your licence you will receive an automated notification 60 days prior to expiry date. However, you can also renew within the 60 day period using the online renewal form.
You will need your licence number to use the online renewal link. If you don’t know your number you can find this by using the chemical application licence register.
If your licence has expired, you cannot renew your licence and must apply for a new one.
Change of licence details
It is a requirement under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 that licensees notify the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) of any changes within 21 days.
To update your licence details, use the change request form. If you are renewing your licence, the renewal form also provides for changes to details.
If you cannot apply online, contact our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Regulated areas for aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals
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Aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals is primarily regulated in southern, eastern and central regions of Queensland. In many local authorities of Queensland, particularly those in western or far northern regions, the provisions of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 do not apply. These areas have traditionally been used for grazing animal production, with only limited crop production.
Our Queensland interactive atlas contains a map detailing the areas where the Act applies and where aerial distribution is regulated (regulated areas), as well as those areas where its provisions do not apply at this time (excluded, or non-regulated, areas). The atlas provides a search engine, which enables you to view detailed maps down to a cadastral parcel level (e.g. down to an individual property).
Schedule 1 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021 provides a basic map giving an approximate indication of where the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act applies. You need to consult the atlas for precise locations.
Hazardous areas
Hazardous areas 1, 2 and 3 have been declared in response to the volatility of some herbicides that can cause damage in susceptible cropping areas.
All 3 hazardous areas have prescribed restricted herbicides that may be either:
- distributed by pilots who hold a pilot chemical rating licence and a herbicide distribution permit
- or
- not permitted for use.
Learn more about hazardous area herbicide distribution permits, including descriptions of each declared hazardous area, the herbicides restricted in each area and how to apply for a herbicide distribution permit.
The interactive atlas details precise locations of the 3 hazardous areas (regulated hazardous areas).
Schedules 2, 3 and 4 of the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Regulation 2021 provides basic maps giving an approximate indication of where each hazardous area is located. You need to consult the atlas for precise locations.
Also consider...
- Learn more about the ground distribution of herbicides.
- Search the chemical application licence register to check the current licence details of any business or individual operator.
- Learn more about agricultural chemicals.
Responsible aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals
Check current chemical licensing fees or apply for a new chemical licence.
Aerial distribution is a proven, reliable and efficient tool for controlling pests in appropriate situations. Provided the pilot in command uses the agricultural chemical correctly and carries out the distribution under the right weather conditions and uses correctly calibrated equipment attached to the aircraft then aerial distribution should pose few risks to agriculture or livestock, the environment, trade or human health.
Check your aircraft and equipment
If you are a pilot in command of an aircraft undertaking aerial distribution of agricultural chemicals, you should check the aircraft beforehand, as well as the aerial equipment attached to or installed in it, to ensure it is in sound condition and good working order, and not likely to injure or damage livestock or crops not intended to be treated.
You should also check that spray nozzles are delivering the correct droplet size to evenly distribute the agricultural chemical mixture. This will reduce or even prevent spray drift. You must not carry out aerial distribution unless each spray nozzle is fitted with a positive and effective leak-proof cut-off system.
Consult your clients
Before conducting aerial distribution, consult with your clients to identify sensitive crops and areas, including creeks and streams, livestock paddocks or schools, hospitals or houses around the area where the distribution is to occur. You may need to pay extra attention to these sensitive areas during the aerial distribution.
Check the weather conditions
Consider the weather conditions before commencing aerial distribution. It is an offence under the Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 for a pilot in command to permit aerial distribution to be carried out under meteorological conditions that might reasonably be expected to cause damage to crops not intended to be treated, or livestock.
Learn more about minimising the impacts of spray drift.
Be careful with chemicals
As a pilot, you have an obligation under the Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988 to use only agricultural chemical products that are registered or approved for the use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
You should also use agricultural chemical products in accordance with label instructions or APVMA permit conditions. Heavy penalties apply for anyone who misuses agricultural chemicals by not following label instructions.
Also consider...
- Learn more about the ground distribution of herbicides.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021