Licences for manned aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals

In Victoria, an agricultural aircraft operator licence (AAOL) is required by an:

• aircraft operator (owner, leaseholder, borrower of the aircraft) that carries out aerial spraying
• aircraft operator that employs pilots to carry out aerial spraying.

In Victoria a pilot (chemical rating) licence (PCRL) is required by people who:

• carry out aerial spraying
• apply pest animal baits with aircraft. The person must also have completed the 1080 and PAPP user course.

If an agricultural aircraft operator is also a pilot, then both an AAOL and a PCRL are required. The combined fee for both licences for the current year is $1,075.80 (64 fee units as per the Monetary Units Act 2004), which is GST-exempt.

Licence applicants must provide information about convictions in the previous 10 years under the following Acts:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992
• Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981
• Dangerous Goods Act 1985
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
• Environment Protection Act 2017
• Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008

Agricultural aircraft operator licence (AAOL)

To qualify for an agricultural aircraft operator licence (AAOL) an applicant must meet one of these 2 conditons:

• Hold current Spraysafe accreditation from the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia
• Be assessed by Agriculture Victoria within the last 3 years as operating to an equivalent standard

Interstate AAOLs are not recognised in Victoria. Any person wishing to operate aircraft for aerial spraying in Victoria requires an agricultural aircraft operator licence issued by Agriculture Victoria.

The AAOL application fee for the current year is $941.35 and the licence is valid for 3 years.

AAOL conditions for use

• The licensed person must comply with all the provisions of the Act and all Regulations and Orders made under the Act.
• The licensed person must operate to the standard of Operation SpraySafe or an equivalent standard.

Pilot (chemical rating) licence (PCRL)

To qualify for a pilot (chemical rating) licence (PCRL), an applicant must meet one of these 2 conditions:

• Hold a current commercial pilot (aeroplane or helicopter) licence
• Hold a current air transport pilot (aeroplane or helicopter) licence endorsed with an agricultural pilot (aeroplane or helicopter) rating Grade 1 or 2 under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 of the Commonwealth of Australia

They must also meet one of these 2 conditions:

• Have Pilot SpraySafe accreditation
• Have passed the appropriate examination required by Agriculture Victoria

Interstate PCRLs from participating state and territories are recognised in Victoria. For more information visit the automatic mutual recognition and chemical use licensing page.

The PCRL application fee for the current year is $378.20 and the licence is valid for 3 years.

PCRL holders who apply pest animal baits via aircraft are also required to have completed the 1080 and PAPP user course. For more information visit the 1080 and PAPP training licences and permits page.

PCRL conditions for use

• The pilot must comply with all the provisions of the Act, Regulations and Orders made under the Act.
• The pilot must operate to the standard of Operation SpraySafe or an equivalent standard.
• Aerial spraying must not be undertaken from remotely piloted aircraft.

See Aerial spraying for more information.

More information

If you have questions or concerns about the spraying of chemicals from any aircraft, call our Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.

If you have any general questions about the operation of aircraft, contact CASA on 131 757.