Can I Shoot Down a Drone in Australia?

It was a warm Sydney afternoon, the kind of day that makes you wish every job involved filming multimillion-dollar waterfront homes. Our crew was mid-shoot, Inspire 3 humming above the glistening harbour, when a man strolling past with his off-leash terrier glanced up, squinted, and said: “If that thing comes over my yard, I’m gonna shoot it down.”

We laughed politely, as you do, and kept flying.

But his comment stuck with us. It wasn’t the first time we’d heard that line, and unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last. So let’s settle this once and for all:

Can I Shoot Down a Drone in Australia?

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Can you shoot down a drone in Australia?

In short? Absolutely not. And here’s why.

Australian Law: Drones Are Aircraft

First things first: under Australian law, drones (or RPAs – Remotely Piloted Aircraft) are classified as aircraft. This means that damaging, disabling, or interfering with a drone can amount to a criminal offence under the Crimes Act 1914, the Criminal Code Act 1995, and aviation-specific legislation such as the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

Shooting at a drone is legally comparable to shooting at a manned aircraft. Let that sink in.

It doesn’t matter whether you used a rifle, a slingshot, or a can of WD-40 and a strong arm. Interfering with the lawful operation of an aircraft is a Commonwealth offence. You could face significant fines, or even jail time.

But What If a Drone Is Over My Property?

We get it. You’re sunbathing in the backyard and hear that familiar buzz overhead. It feels intrusive. Possibly illegal. Possibly creepy. Surely that gives you the right to defend your airspace?

Well, not quite.

Under Australian law, homeowners do not own the airspace above their property to an unlimited height. Your property rights extend to what is known as “the airspace necessary for the reasonable use and enjoyment of your land.” That might include low-flying drones hovering metres above your clothesline. But that doesn’t grant you the right to bring them down with force.

Instead, you have legal and appropriate channels for complaints. More on that shortly.

So What Are My Rights If a Drone Is Spying or Harassing Me?

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates drone use nationally, and they have clear rules:

  • Drones must not fly over people
  • Drones must stay at least 30 metres away from individuals
  • Drones must not fly over private property without consent if filming or causing a nuisance

If someone is breaching these rules, it’s not up to you to play vigilante. You can:

  1. Report to CASA – Especially if it’s a safety concern or a commercial drone.
  2. Call police – If you feel threatened, harassed, or your privacy is being violated.
  3. Gather evidence – Photos, footage, location, time, and description of the drone all help.

But remember: retaliation by damaging or disabling the drone is illegal.

Can I Shoot Down a Drone in Australia? No!

What If the Drone Isn’t Registered or Is Flying Illegally?

Even if the drone operator is doing the wrong thing, the drone itself remains legally protected. Taking justice into your own hands still puts you at risk of being prosecuted.

You wouldn’t throw a rock at an illegally parked car, would you? (Well, we hope not.) Same logic applies here.

What If It’s a Drone with a Camera?

Most drones do have cameras. But the presence of a camera doesn’t equal an intent to spy. In fact, it’s incredibly difficult to identify specific people or actions from many consumer drones, unless the drone is practically on top of you.

However, there are legal frameworks in place for misuse of drone footage:

  • Privacy Act (if a company is collecting personal data)
  • State laws around harassment or surveillance (e.g. NSW’s Surveillance Devices Act)

If someone is filming you repeatedly and without consent, you should contact your local police. Again, not with a slingshot. Can I Shoot Down a Drone in Australia? No

Drone Rage Is Real (But Still Illegal)

We get that drones are sometimes annoying. We’ve heard of people throwing things, shouting threats, and even try to fly kites to bring drones down.

But consider this: drone operators (like us at Flying Glass) often have thousands of dollars in equipment in the air and fly under strict rules from CASA. We undergo licensing, we log flights, and we often operate under special permissions like an Operator’s Certificate (OC) or an OONP (Over People) exemption.

If you take down our drone, you’re not just damaging equipment — you’re risking lives (yes, even unmanned aircraft can injure), breaking federal law, and putting your own criminal record at stake.

Famous Cases in Australia

There have been a few notable incidents where members of the public have attempted to shoot down or destroy drones in Australia. The most infamous include:

  • A WA farmer who shot down a drone he believed was spying on his property. He was charged with criminal damage.
  • A Melbourne resident who used a garden hose to spray a drone flying near his unit block — he was cautioned by police.

These cases highlight that no matter your motives, drone takedown = legal takedown (of you).

The Best Way to Handle an Unwanted Drone

  1. Don’t engage physically.
  2. Take a photo or video of the drone, if you safely can.
  3. Note the time, location, and behaviour.
  4. Report to CASA
  5. Contact police if you feel unsafe or harassed.

Remember, commercial drone pilots are working on approved shoots. At Flying Glass, we notify councils, log NOTAMs, liaise with CASA, and often fly with spotters to ensure everything is safe and legal. We’re not here to spy on your backyard cricket game.

If You’re a Drone Operator: Know the Risks

For drone operators reading this, it’s worth remembering how the public might perceive your flights. Always:

  • Keep to CASA rules
  • Maintain appropriate distances
  • Be visible and approachable
  • Have your RePL (Remote Pilot Licence) and OC documentation handy
  • Avoid sensitive locations (schools, private homes) unless authorised

A polite smile and a wave go a long way.

Final Word: Can I Shoot Down a Drone in Australia? No!

No matter how annoying or intrusive a drone might feel, the law is crystal clear: you cannot shoot down a drone in Australia.

Doing so can lead to serious criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and possibly time behind bars.

So next time you see a drone buzzing overhead, resist the temptation to channel your inner action movie star. The smarter play? Take a photo, make a report, and let the law handle it.

Or, if it’s Flying Glass up there, give us a wave. We’re probably just filming that spectacular sunset — not you in your budgie smugglers.