Australian UAV Service

Surf Life Saving NSW’s Australian UAV Service. Uncrewed aerial vehicle operations specialists, Australia-wide.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#IRBRACING // During the SLSA IRB Racing Championships, our UAV Pilots proved just how much drones can do!
Working alongside SEMC, we kept competitors safe while also protecting local wildlife- halting boat movements and tracking turtles and dolphins until they passed safely.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#AVIATIONAWARDS // Congratulations to Josh Orr, winner of RPAS Pilot of the Year at the Aviation Awards! A well-deserved recognition for someone who has excelled in our State Operations Centre, in the field as a UAV pilot, and across multiple projects.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#AVIATIONAWARDS // We’re proud to share that AUAVS took home the RPAS Business of the Year award at last night’s Aviation Awards - our third time winning! This achievement is a testament to the dedication, skill, and hard work of our incredible team across the state.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#EMERGENCYRESPONSE // During the NSW floods & Cyclone Alfred, every @slsnsw team included UAV pilots. Drones helped monitor rising water, assess damage & support @NSWSES with real-time intel. Proud to see UAVs making a difference where it counts.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#DRONEPILOT // Part 4 of Nicks interview with ABC Newcastle. A common question we hear is "what training do I need?". We offer all the necessary training! Some staff choose to also obtain a Remote Pilot Licence which allows them to conduct more complex operations.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#NIGHTOPS // We've been training new UAV Pilots for night ops, enabling safe NVLOS flights after dark. When helicopters stand down, our drones keep flying - supporting search, surveillance & public safety when visibility is low and time matters.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#SHARKSURVEILLANCE // Part 3 of Nicks interview with ABC Newcastle, explaining what happens when a dangerous shark is sighted.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#CYCLONERESPONSE // Over 2 weeks, our UAV teams supported @NSWSES across flood-hit areas from South West Rocks to Tweed. Drones delivered vital situational awareness in fast-changing conditions, aiding real-time decision making.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#DRONES // Part 2 of Nicks interview with ABC Newcastle, chatting about what the future of drones in public safety could look like. Long range drones could offer an extra layer of surveillance on top of our existing patrols.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#ENVIRONMENTALMONITORING // Our drones are making a significant impact beyond just shark surveillance. We do a wide range of environmental monitoring, including wildlife tracking, coastal erosion mapping, vegetation health analysis, and more!

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#CYCLONERESPONSE // During Cyclone Alfred & the NSW floods, our UAV pilots flew in darkness & heavy rain to support emergency crews. Using thermal cameras & LED spotlights, we captured real-time footage of flood zones & helped SES make life-saving decisions.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#AUAVS // Nick Newton speaks live on air with ABC Newcastle about what it's like to be a UAV Pilot for @slsnsw. Great work, Nick!

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#KOALAMONITORING // Citizen science is a powerful way for communities to contribute to real-world goals, and we’re proud to have played a part! In partnership with @shemapsau we delivered a drone course to students and community members to use drones for koala data collection.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#KOALACONSERVATION // In partnership with @shemapsau we delivered a drone course, teaching students & community members how to fly drones for the National Koala Monitoring Program. This initiative was showcased by the Citizen Science Global Partnership, for the United Nations.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#DRONEMAPPING // Transform your projects with the power of drone technology. We offer engineering-grade spatial data, mapping, and digital twin creation, providing highly accurate information to inform decisions for infrastructure, planning, and development.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#SHARKSURVEILLANCE // Did you know not all sharks are dangerous? Here are the 3 we keep an eye out for at our 50 patrolled beaches across NSW. @slsnsw

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#UNIVERSITY // Did you know we partner with @UNSW Aviation?
As part of their new Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), we offer students opportunities to gain real-world experience using drones in emergency services.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#DRONEPILOTS // With over 250 UAV (drone) pilots in our network across NSW, we're ready for any project! From ex-airline captains to engineers, spatial data specialists, and environmental scientists, we bring unmatched expertise to every mission.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#AUAVS2024 // As we kick off the new year, we’re proud to reflect on 2024 and the milestones we achieved. Here are just some of them! In 2025, we’re excited to partner with more organisations and to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective drone solutions.

[Australian UAV Service @AustralianUAVS]

#INTHEFIELD // With @NSWRFS, we're bringing drone technology into their daily operations to enhance swift responses. RFS teams can spot fires, monitor changes, and integrate real-time drone footage into mobile command units, improving decision-making and situational awareness.