The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is currently
undertaking a review of the regulation of remotely piloted aircraft
(otherwise known as drones). It is considering (amongst other
things), whether mandatory registration, education and training for
operators should be introduced.
There are yet to be any reported decisions of any civil or
criminal actions in Australia being taken against drone operators
who have caused injury or damage through their use of drones.
However, CASA is actively pursuing operators who breach drone
safety legislation.
A widely reported incident involved a drone that crashed into a
triathlete during the Geraldton Endure Batavia Triathlon in Western
Australia in April 2014. The triathlete was reported to have been
struck in the head by a drone that had fallen from the sky whilst
filming the race and sustained lacerations to the head.1
The matter was referred by CASA to the Commonwealth Department of
Public Prosecutions but the
