How Drone Inspections WA use Cm3 to put compliance at the forefront

In 2002, Australia became one of the first countries to introduce regulations on the use of drones under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has since made significant amendments to the rules as the technology and commercial applications for drones and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) have evolved.

While drone use can eliminate risks involved with the need for workers to be at height, in confined spaces, or other hazardous situations, it is not without risk to people, property, and the public.

Breaking the rules regarding drone/RPAS use can result in fines, restrictions of practice, and up to 2-year prison terms in severe instances, such as becoming a hazard to other aircraft.

That’s why it’s essential for organisations engaging drone service providers to ensure they are fully licensed, insured, and compliant with CASA and industry-specific standards.

Introducing Drone Inspections WA (DIWA)

Drone Inspections WA (DIWA) is a leading aerial inspection and data collection service provider, offering advanced drone solutions for the mining, environmental management, and industrial sectors. With a focus on safety, innovation, and regulatory compliance, our team leverages state-of-the-art technology to deliver precise and actionable insights for clients, helping them streamline operations and reduce risks in challenging environments.

DIWA manages several key risk areas to ensure safe and compliant operations for its clients:

Operational Safety & Risk Mitigation:

DIWA follows a rigorous Safety Management System (SMS), planning each flight with detailed pre-mission risk assessments and mitigation strategies tailored to the site, conditions, and client requirements.

Regulatory Compliance:

As a CASA-certified operator with EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight) approvals, we maintain current and comprehensive training, certification, and documentation for all team members and aircraft.

Site-Specific Hazards:

DIWA conducts detailed risk assessments for unique site hazards, including working in confined spaces, operating in high-risk industrial zones, and conducting flights near critical infrastructure.

Subcontractor Management & Helicopter Safety Protocols:

DIWA engages specialist subcontractors for large-scale or specialist missions requiring helicopters and aeroplanes, such as wide-area LiDAR surveys. We engage vetted subcontractors and enforce strict safety protocols. We work closely with geotechnical survey teams to ensure unified operational control and compliance across all project stakeholders.

“Completing the Cm3 certification process has been invaluable in reinforcing our focus on safety and compliance. It ensures that our operational practices align with industry standards and provides our clients with tangible evidence of our commitment to adhering to CASA and broader regulatory requirements.

Achieving Cm3 recognition demonstrates that Drone Inspections WA is not just another drone service provider – we are a trusted partner committed to delivering safe, reliable, and compliant services every time.

Completing Cm3’s RPAS risk review helps us stand out as a qualified and dependable operator in an industry where safety and compliance are critical. Our clients benefit from our thorough understanding of the technological and regulatory landscapes, allowing them to confidently engage our services, knowing that we prioritise their safety and project success.”

Mike Appleyard (Director)

Finding DIWA on Cm3

Client organisations on Cm3 are given access to a powerful procurement tool called the Cm3 Marketplace. On the Cm3 Marketplace, clients can utilise search functions to find known contractors, or source new ones by filtering based on work types, job types and risk types.

Clients can then directly invite contractors to connect with their business and request additional actions to achieve a compliant status before engaging them for work.

Learn more about the Cm3 Marketplace and What Types of Contractors are on Cm3.

Additional Benefits for Contractors on Cm3

Contractors like DIWA gain more than just compliance recognition through Cm3. The platform provides tools and opportunities to improve business operations and market visibility:

Improving Systems & Processes

Like DIWA, many contractors find the assessment process to be a valuable exercise in reviewing their systems and processes. They can then use the feedback from their allocated assessor and take the opportunity to implement improvements.

Faster Tender Reponses

Cm3 aligns with the prequalification processes used in many tendering systems. Contractors already assessed and active on the platform can respond faster and more effectively to opportunities.

Use of the Cm3 Badge

Cm3 is renowned for its robust system and thorough compliance assessment processes. Once a contractor achieves their certificate, they are then able to show off their Cm3 status on their website, collateral, and vehicles by requesting bumper stickers or logo files for their own design team to use.

Additional Marketing Exposure

Each month, Cm3 highlights contractors in its newsletters, reaching tens of thousands of contacts. Additionally, a selection of contractors is featured on LinkedIn and Facebook along with their capabilities and areas of risk they have been assessed against on Cm3.