The AAUS Annual General Meeting for 2025 held on 20 November 2025. Key outcomes were:

Directors

This year, five Board positions were available, with seven highly qualified nominees standing for election. Following the member voting process and in accordance with AAUS’ governance framework, the following individuals were elected or appointed to the AAUS Board:

Elected / Appointed to the Board:

• Sarah Carroll

• Cameron Devries

• Vic Grosjean

• Aaron McKay

• Warren Ludwig

They join continuing Board members to form the AAUS Board as ratified at the 2025 AGM:

AAUS Board 2025–26

Andrew Crowe (President)
Anthony Patterson (Vice President)
Paul Hardy (Secretary)
Leigh Simpson (Treasurer)
Renee Bartolo
Sarah Carroll
Mitch Deam
Cameron Devries
Vic Grosjean
Jonathan King
Aaron McKay
Warren Ludwig
Bill Waters
Rob Weaver

We congratulate all elected and returning directors and look forward to their contributions in the year ahead.

Acknowledgement of Departing Directors

On behalf of the membership, we extend our sincere thanks to Board members Simon Hooper (10 years on the Board) and Philip van der Burg (3 years) whose terms concluded this year. Their commitment, leadership and service have contributed greatly to AAUS’ growth and influence.

We are grateful for the time, expertise and enthusiasm they devoted to the organisation.

Thank You to Unsuccessful Candidates

We also thank Wayne Condon and Oliver Heys for standing for election this year.

AAUS relies on members willing to put themselves forward, and we deeply appreciate the commitment shown by all nominees. Your willingness to serve reflects the strength and engagement of our community.

Other AGM Outcomes

Members also received and accepted the 2025 Annual Report, including the audited FY25 Financial Report, noting a positive operating surplus compared to the previous financial year and strong performance across AAUS’ advocacy, membership, events and accreditation activities.

If you missed the 2025 Annual Report, you can access the report here:

[Download the AAUS 2025 Annual Report]

Looking Ahead

AAUS continues to grow its role as the peak body for uncrewed and autonomous systems in Australia. With significant regulatory and industry developments underway, the Board and AAUS team remain committed to championing safe integration, regulatory efficiency, professional standards, diversity, and industry advancement—supported by the insights and engagement of our membership.

Thank you again for your ongoing support.

Warm regards,

Greg Tyrrell
Executive Director
Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems (AAUS)

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems Incorporated will be held in Sydney and online via Zoom. 

Date: Thursday, November 20th, 2025

Time:  4:00 pm - 4:45 pm AEDT (networking and refreshments from 5:00pm to 6.30pm)

Address:  AGM: Heritage Room, South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, 1R Arthur Byrne Reserve, Maroubra, NSW.

Networking and Refreshments from 5:00pm at Bay Hotel, 82 Marine Parade, Maroubra Beach.

Agenda

1. President's Welcome
2. Declaration of Quorum and Apologies
3. Adoption of AAUS AGM 2024 Minutes
4. Annual Report for 2025 including Financial Report
5. Acceptance of FY25 AAUS Audited Financial Report
6. Election of AAUS Board of Directors
7. General Business

Election of AAUS Board of Directors

Under Rule 6.2 (c), the following current AAUS Board members will retire at the 2025 AGM: Vic Grosjean, Simon Hooper, Warren Ludwig, Aaron McKay and Philip van der Burg.

Of these, Vic Grosjean, Warren Ludwig and Aaron McKay will stand again for re-election as eligible under Rule 6.2 (d).

In addition, nominations have been received from current financial AAUS members Sarah Carroll, Wayne Condon, Cameron Devries and Oliver Heys.

As we have 7 nominees for 5 Board positions, a vote will be required to determine the result.

Online Voting

Similar to past years, AAUS will adopt an online voting system to tabulate member votes.  Members will be assigned a unique access key which can only be used to vote once.

All financial members* will receive an email with a link to the election application (OpaVote) in the next hour.  All voting is anonymous.

(*Corporate members vote on behalf of their organisation and receive a vote weight based on the membership category. Only bundle administrators will receive the voting email on behalf of corporate memberships).

Voting closes Thursday November 13 at 1700 (AEDT). 

Information on 2025 Board Nominees

Sarah Carroll (Qualifications)

Wayne Condon (Qualifications)

Cameron Devries (Qualifications)

Vic Grosjean (Qualifications)

Oliver Heys (Qualifications)

Warren Ludwig (Qualifications)

Aaron McKay (Qualifications)

Documentation

AAUS Rules

AAUS Board Voting Process

AAUS AGM 2024 Minutes 

AAUS Annual Report 2025

Registration

If you would like to attend the 2025 AAUS AGM, please register using the links below. 

Register to attend AGM Live in Sydney

Register to attend AGM Virtually

If you have election questions or feedback, please contact me on the details below.

By order of the Board,

Paul Hardy (AAUS Company Secretary)
Date: 22/10/2025

AAUS is once again conducting its RPAS Industry survey.

To ensure we continue to represent your interests effectively, we invite you to participate in the AAUS RPAS Industry Survey 2025.

Your input will help us:

• Build a clear picture of the current state of the RPAS industry in Australia.

• Understand the challenges and opportunities facing operators, end-users, and suppliers.

• Strengthen our advocacy with government, regulators, and stakeholders.

• Shape AAUS programs and initiatives to better support our members.

The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain confidential.

Survey Closes: Friday October 17 (5pm AEDT)

Potential future expansion of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate in Australia

The Department of Infrastructure has released a consultation paper on the potential future expansion of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate in Australia (see attached).

The proposed model includes:

• VFR aircraft: staged introduction of ADS-B OUT from 2028, with full fitment expected beyond 2033, plus ADS-B IN capability for all capable aircraft from 2028.

• IFR aircraft: ADS-B IN mandated from 2033 (ADS-B OUT already required).

• Drones: from 2028, BVLOS operations to have ADS-B IN (onboard or ground-based); small drones above 400 ft AGL, and all medium/large drones, to have ADS-B OUT.

• Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): ADS-B IN and OUT required from 2028.

The paper recognises the benefits of ADS-B for safety, situational awareness, and enabling emerging aviation operations, while also noting the cost and implementation challenges for operators.

Consultation is open until 27 October 2025 via the Government’s Have Your Say portal.

AAUS has been strongly advocating for an ADS-B mandate for a number of years now.

AAUS will be preparing a submission, and we encourage members to provide their views and feedback directly, as well as through us, to ensure the drone and emerging aviation sector is well represented.

Preliminary Notice of AAUS AGM 2025

• Advance Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems Incorporated will be held on Thursday 20th November 2025 in Sydney (Venue and time to be confirmed).
• Formal Notice of the AGM will be sent to all members at least 21 clear days prior to the AGM.
• This early advice is being provided so members can consider whether they wish to stand for election to the Board of Directors and also whether they wish to raise any matters for discussion and determination at the AGM.

Election of Directors (General Board)

In accordance with the Rules of the Association, the AAUS Board consists of an Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary) and up to 11 General Board members. A total of five Board members elected at the 2022 AGM will step down from the Board at the forthcoming AGM but are eligible to offer themselves for re-election.  Members of AAUS are welcome to nominate for the AAUS Board.

Nominees for election to the Board must be financial Individual members of the Association or the nominees of corporate members. (Newsletter members are not eligible).  A nomination form is required, signed by a Nominator (who must be a financial member of AAUS) and by the Nominee. This must be submitted to the Secretary (secretary@aaus.org.au) by 5pm AEDT on Friday 17th October 2025. It must be accompanied by a completed Qualification of Directors form, setting out information on the Nominee’s applicable experience and availability to undertake Board roles. This form will be circulated to members with the AGM notice to allow members to review the qualifications of candidates. 

Nomination Forms

Copies of the Nomination Form and the Qualification of Directors Form are attached.

AAUS Board Nomination Form

AAUS Board Qualifications Questionnaire Form

Motions for the AGM

Under the Rules of Association, Motions to be put to the AGM need to be received by the Executive Director at least 21 clear days prior to the AGM (by 5pm AEDT on Friday 17th October 2025). The Motions must be in writing, proposed and seconded by financial members of AAUS.

As the purpose of the AGM is to consider and approve the past operations of the Association and its future operations and governance, it is normal that Motions to be put to the AGM are relevant to those matters.

By order of the Board,

Paul Hardy (AAUS Company Secretary)
Date: 15/09/2025

This month CASA released more detailed data on RPAS regulatory services.  While AAUS applauds this initiative, the published delivery timeframes and targets confirm a trend that CASA are not coping with regulatory services for the RPAS sector.   The timeframes, in some cases extending to over one year, are simply not acceptable for a safe and viable industry.

In response, AAUS has written to key government stakeholders including Minister Catherine King seeking urgent reforms to address this issue.

You can read the letter here

AAUS has continued to work hard in developing an industry-led accreditation program aimed at drone operators. We are now seeking Expressions of Interest for the Accreditation Oversight Committee and Accreditation Learning Partners.

For more information, read here

2025 AAUS Industry Award Winners were announced at the AAUS Gala Dinner held in Canberra on Tuesday June 17, 2025.

The Awards recognise individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Australian uncrewed systems industry.  

AAUS congratulates for following winners for their outstanding achievements.

Leadership Award

Western Australia Police - Air Wing (RPAS Operations)

Innovation - Technology Award

Trendspek

Innovation - Operations Award

Toll Uncrewed Systems

Education & Safety Award

Flight Safety Foundation (BARS Program)

Social Impact Award

Australian Defence Drone Racing Associations

Diversity & Inclusion Award

Global Drone Solutions

NextGen Achievement Award

Ben Mortensen & Rudi Browning (Profly Cinema)

To learn more about this year's winners, click here.

AAUS is proud to be hosting its 7th Industry Awards night to recognise individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Australian uncrewed systems industry.  After an extensive judging period, we are excited to announce this year's finalists.

Finalists for 2025 are:

Leadership Award

The Leadership Award will recognise individuals or organisations that lead the way with advocacy work that strives to improve the commercial and / or technological viability of the uncrewed system industry.

• James Bassam (Australian UAV Service)
• Ed Boxall (Sensorem)
• Wayne Condon (Toll Uncrewed Systems)
• Derek Feebrey (Trendspek)
• John Fleming (FPV Australia)
• Mahmood Hussein (Global Drone Solutions)
• Fiona Lake (Rural Drone Academy)
• Clem Newton-Brown (Skyportz)
• Dr Ruth Patterson (Elysium EPL)
• Ben Westgarth (Department 13)
• Western Australia Police - Air Wing (RPAS Operations)

Innovation - Technology Award

The Innovation – Technology award will go to the organisation or individual that has developed drone technologies including drone systems or sub-systems. (eg. drone, payloads, avionics, powerplants, data exploitation systems) that has had a significant positive impact for end users or the broader uncrewed systems industry.

• Drone-Hand
• Freespace Operations
• Grabba Technologies
• RocketDNA
• Sensorem
• SPARC AI
• Stratoship
• Toll Uncrewed Systems
• Trendspek
• V-TOL Aerospace

Innovation - Operations Award

The Innovation – Operations award will go to the organisation or individual that has developed novel and innovative operational capabilities to benefit customers. (eg. airspace integration, swarming, novel applications).

• Endeavour Energy
• Toll Uncrewed Systems
• Wash Drones
• Yarra Drones

Education & Safety Award

The Education & Safety Award will recognise individuals or organisations who demonstrate leadership in educating the unmanned systems industry with particular emphasis of developing a safety-focussed culture. 

• Australian UAV Service
• Flight Safety Foundation (BARS Program)
• FPV Australia
• Global Drone Solutions
• Toll Uncrewed Systems

Social Impact Award

The Social Impact Award will recognise individuals or organisations who demonstrate a mission, capability or technology that has a positive impact on society or has focused on the betterment of the uncrewed industry as a whole.

• Australian Defence Drone Racing Associations
• Australian UAV Service
• Canberra Multirotor Racing Club
• Defence Intern Program
• Global Drone Solutions
• Toll Uncrewed Systems

Diversity & Inclusion Award

The Diversity & Inclusion Award will recognise individuals and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to supporting deversity and fostering inclusion within the uncrewed systems industry.

• Australian UAV Service
• Luke Chaplain (SkyKelpie)
• Defence Intern Program
• Alana Flack (Trendspek)
• Global Drone Solutions
• Fiona Lake (Rural Drone Academy)

NextGen Achievement Award

The NextGen Achievement Award will recognise young individuals that demonstrate elite capability and leadership in their field within the uncrewed systems sector.

• Luke Chaplain (SkyKelpie)
• Doug Conn (Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group)
• Marc Cook-Russell (Department 13)
• Andrew Davies (Taz Drone Solutions)
• Benjamin Harvey (Toll Uncrewed Systems)
• Oliver Heys (Australian UAV Service)
• Ben Mortensen & Rudi Browning (Profly Cinema)
• Dr Ashim Panta (Quickstep Holdings)
• Nelson White (RAAF)

Award Winners will be announced that the AAUS Gala DInner (held in conjunction with the RPAS in Australian Skies conference 2025) in Canberra on Tuesday June 17, 2025.

In this webinar, CASA and AAUS provide an update on the RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap.

In this recording, presenters outline the latest updates on the Roadmap’s progress, key milestones, and upcoming initiatives.

Watch Recorded Presentation

Further information on the RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap: The RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap | Civil Aviation Safety Authority