Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence
If you operate an aerial spraying business that involves the application of agricultural chemicals, you must hold an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence. This is essentially a business licence.
Application for Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence (PDF 259Kb)
Fertilisers are not regarded as agricultural chemical products and therefore there is no need to hold a Licence for the aerial application of fertilisers.
To qualify for an Agricultural Aircraft Operator Licence, you must:
have an Aircraft Operators Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
be Operation Spray Safe Accredited by the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia
hold a policy or cover note of indeminity insurance for a minimum amount of $30,000 approved by the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
Agricultural aircraft operators do not need to hold a Commercial Operator Licence, as this licence only applies to ground-spraying activities.
Pilot Chemical Rating Licence
Any pilot who is employed by an agricultural aircraft operator must hold a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence. This includes the owner of the business if he or she pilots an aircraft in carrying out aerial spraying.
Application for a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence (PDF 245Kb)
To qualify for a Pilot (Chemical Rating) Licence, you must:
hold a Commercial Pilots Licence
have an Agricultural Pilot Rating
hold an Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia Operation Spray Safe Certificate of Approval or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Registrar of Chemical Products
A licence may not be granted if an applicant has not supplied the required information, not paid the appropriate application fee, has been convicted of a crime or has committed an offence punishable by imprisonment.
A licence may be cancelled or suspended if the holder has:
not complied with any condition of the Licence,
been convicted of an offence against a relevant Act,
not paid fees by the due date, or
provided misleading information in applying for the licence.