Goods delivery

Case studies: Drones offer an efficient and contactless way of delivering a variety of goods in the community. Drone delivery services are becoming more common place with the increased availability of drones and decreasing costs of the technology.

Drones help deliver goods

Drones are being used to deliver a range of goods in communities across Australia, from essential supplies in remote communities, to coffee, grocery orders and restaurant meals.

There are currently 2 drone delivery services in operation in Australia – Wing Aviation and Swoop Aero – which have been given approval to fly by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Wing is operating in Gungahlin and Belconnen in the Australian Capital Territory, and in Logan and Ormeau in Queensland. Swoop Aero is operating in Goondiwindi in Queensland.

Companies such as these have begun trialling the use of 5G technologies for faster navigation, and in future, will be able to carry heavier items.

Wing drone hovering over a house, lowing its delivery package onto the driveway, while a mother and son watch.

Photo credit: Wing Aviation LLC

Transport and logistics Infrastructure Planning Framework

Drone delivery operations in Australia

CASA has given approval to Wing Aviation Pty Ltd (Wing) and Swoop Aero Pty Ltd (Swoop Aero) to operate drone delivery services in Australia. Wing is operating in Gungahlin and Belconnen in the Australian Capital Territory, and in Logan and Ormeau in Queensland. Swoop Aero is operating in Goodiwindi in Queensland.

Both companies are certified drone operators, and all employees who operate drones hold remote pilot licences.

The aim is to see how drone delivery services work in practice and the effect they have on the community, to inform the Government’s consideration of their use more widely.

Further information on CASA's safety approval process is available at www.casa.gov.au.

Under the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 2018 the department also undertook an assessment of both proposed operations.

Wing operations
Canberra operations

The department approved community demonstrations and delivery flights in Belconnen and Gungahlin between 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024.

Operating conditions were placed on Wing's activities, including that the drone must only fly in daylight, but with the following additional restrictions:

on weekdays, from 7.30am to 7.00pm

on Saturdays, from 8.00am to 7.00pm

on Sundays, from 9.00am to 7.00pm

Logan operations

The department approved community demonstrations and delivery flights in Beenleigh, Berrinba, Bethania, Boronia Heights, Browns Plains, Crestmead, Edens Landing, Forestdale, Heritage Park, Hilcrest, Holmview, Kingston, Logan Central, Logan Reserve, Loganholme Woodridge, Loganlea, Marsden, Regents Park, Slacks Creek, Underwood, Waterford West and Waterford between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.

Operating conditions on Wing's Logan activities include that the drone must only fly in daylight, but with the following additional restrictions:

on weekdays, from 7.30am to 7.00pm

on Saturdays, from 8.00am to 6.00pm

on Sundays, from 9.00am to 6.00pm

Gold Coast operations

The department approved community demonstrations and delivery flights in Ormeau, Ormeau Hills, Yatala, Gilberton, Kingsholme and Norwell between 31 October 2022 and 1 November 2023.

Operating conditions on Wing's Gold Coast activities include that the drone must only fly in daylight, but with the following additional restrictions:

on weekdays, from 7.30am to 7.00pm

on Saturdays, from 8.00am to 6.00pm

on Sundays, from 9.00am to 6.00pm

Ipswich operations

The department approved community demonstrations and delivery flights in Springfield Central, Springfield Lakes, Springfield, Spring Mountain, Brookwater, Augustine Heights, Camira, Bellbird Park, Goodna and Redbank Plains between 24 February 2023 and 23 February 2024.

Operating conditions on Wing's Ipswich activities include that the drone must only fly in daylight, but with the following additional restrictions:

on weekdays, from 7.30am to 7.00pm

on Saturdays, from 8.00am to 6.00pm

on Sundays, from 9.00am to 6.00pm

Noise

The aircraft used in Wing’s operations are formally noise tested. It is a requirement of Wing’s operating approval that it notify the department before any new aircraft are used.

In addition, aircraft must not overfly declared heritage or environmentally sensitive areas, such as National Parks and wetlands areas.

Community Feedback

A condition of the Wing approval is that it must collate all community feedback during the operational period (whether given to Wing directly, or to the department, the ACT Government, the Queensland Government Logan City Council, or Gold Coast Council) and provide this to the department.

If you have feedback regarding Wing's operations you can provide this feedback directly to Wing.

For the Canberra operations, contact Access Canberra, or lodge your feedback using the Have your Say form to notify the department.

For the Logan operations, lodge your feedback at Logan City Council, or email council@logan.qld.gov.au.

For the Gold Coast operations, lodge your feedback at Gold Coast Council, or email mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

For Ipswich operations, contact the council at City of Ipswich Council, or email council@ipswich.qld.gov.au.

If you have complaints relating to noise from uncrewed aircraft you may also use the Have Your Say form to notify the department.
Swoop Aero operations
The department approved community demonstrations and delivery flights in the Local Government Areas of Goondiwindi in Queensland; and Moree Plains, Gwydir and Inverell in New South Wales, between 1 December 2022 and 30 November 2023.

Operating conditions were placed on Swoop Aero’s activities, including that the drones must only fly in daylight between the following times:

on weekdays and Saturdays, from 7.00am to 7.00pm

on Sundays, from 9.00am to 6.00pm

Noise

The aircraft used in Swoop Aero’s operations are formally noise tested. It is a requirement of Swoop Aero’s operating approval that it notify the department before any new aircraft are used.

In addition, aircraft must not overfly declared heritage or environmentally sensitive areas, such as National Parks and wetlands areas.

Community Feedback

A condition of the Swoop Aero approval is that it must collate all community feedback during the operational period (whether given to Swoop Aero directly, or to the department, the New South Wales or Queensland Governments, or one of the relevant Local Government Areas) and provide this to the department.

If you have feedback regarding Swoop Aero's operations, you can provide this feedback directly to Swoop Aero.

You can also contact the participating Local Government Areas:

Goondiwindi Regional Council

Moree Plains Shire Council

Gwydir Shire Council

Inverell Shire Council

If you have complaints relating to noise from uncrewed aircraft you may also use the Have Your Say form to notify the department.

Other uses of drones in Australia