Commercial Drone Industry Growth

The drone industry is moving quickly.

With surging demand, evolving technology and research into new applications, it’s expected to be the world’s fastest growing industry by 2031.

Over the past few years, innovations from companies like DJI have seen major shifts in the way we use drones, and that has resulted in immense growth. The majority of this growth is centred around the commercial sector, where drones are creating value, reducing costs and improving outcomes all over the world.

In this article, we’ll explore key growth statistics over the coming decade to see how drones are changing the world.

Key Growth Statistics for the Commercial Drone Industry

The Global Drone Market is Forecast to Reach AUD$83.75 Billion by 2030

Drone technology is one of the world’s fastest growing markets. In 2023, the industry’s global value is estimated to be in excess of AUD$30 billion.

That’s a staggering number considering how far we’ve come in a short time, and growth is set to accelerate over the next decade.

Insights from Droneii predict that the global drone market will be worth AUD$83.75 billion by 2030, with some estimates predicting even greater growth. 

This growth is primarily driven by innovation in drone technology. Increased flight times, payload capacities and sophistication is changing the way drones are used, making them a popular tool in agriculture, mining, logistics, construction and beyond.
 

Australia’s Drone Market is Expected to Be Worth AUD$14.5 Billion by 2040

Growth in the global market is one thing, but Australia is a key player in the drone industry. estimates from the Australian Government show that our local industry could be worth AUD$14.5 billion by 2040, making us one of strongest markets on the global stage.

Despite our small population, experts agree that Australia is the ideal hotspot for drones due to our natural landscapes and the presence of aerospace manufacturing. We also benefit from:

• Large-scale infrastructure and agricultural operations that make extensive use of drone services
• Close proximity to other key drone markets, like China and Japan
• Local presence of leading manufacturers
• A government that’s friendly towards drones and is making strides to develop appropriate legislation

These factors have put Australia on par with the industry’s biggest players, including China, Japan, the UK and the USA.
 

Australia’s Drone Industry Will Support an Extra 5,500 Jobs Per Year 2020-2040

Changes to the local market won’t just increase the value of the industry, it’s also set to create thousands of jobs for skilled Australians.

A report by Deloitte estimates that Australia’s drone industry will generate an extra 5,500 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs per year between 2020 and 2040. That’s more than 100,000 jobs over the next 20 years!

These jobs will provide a diverse range of opportunities in our city centres and regional zones. In particular, early predictions show that about AUD$4.4 billion worth of jobs will be created in the regional areas of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
 

Drone Services Could Save Australian Businesses up to AUD$9.3 Billion

Two of the major benefits of drone services are their speed and efficiency. These factors allow clients to save thousands of dollars and precious time when compared to traditional service providers.

Switching to commercial drone services is predicted to save Australian businesses as much as AUD$9.3 billion per year! The biggest winners include:

• $2.95 billion savings in agriculture, forestry and fisheries
• $2.4 billion in mining
• $1.34 billion in construction

While we expect to see savings in every industry, the sectors that are investing in drones and automation will see the largest benefit.
 

Asia is Predicted to Remain the Largest Commercial Drone Market

As of 2024, Asia is the world’s largest commercial drone market. This is primarily due to the presence of manufacturing bases in China and Japan. 

Along with large populations and high demand for drone services, this means that Asia represents 39.6% of global market revenue share. While this market dominance is expected to continue, markets like Australia, Canada, USA and the UK aren’t far behind.

Over the next few decades, we’re expecting to see the biggest growth in the Middle East and African markets. These regions are rapidly increasing their demand for commercial drone services, and they may outperform smaller markets (such as Australia) by 2040.
 

There Will Be 60 Million Drone Flights Per Year in Australia by 2043

Australia is already one of the world’s leading markets for drones. Our local demand is expected to grow dramatically, with over 60 million flights being conducted every year by 2043. That’s a staggering growth rate of 20% per annum!

Currently, Australia’s core demand for drone flights is in agriculture, mining and surveying, but transport and logistics are the primary drivers of growth. This is reflected by current modelling, which shows that logistics (transport) will become the largest single sector by number of drone flights:

2043 projected drone flights by industry

Autonomous air transport is still in its infancy. By 2043, it’s expected to be a major part of our everyday lives, with drones delivering food, goods and medical products across the country. 

Growth in the number of drone flights is largely due to advances in technology. Namely, improvements in load bearing capacity which will enable goods, patients and passengers to be transported by drones.
 

There Are More Than 33,000 Drone Pilots in Australia in 2024

The increasing number of drone fights means increasing numbers of pilots.

A recent statement from CASA indicated that there are 33,388 drone pilots registered in Australia as of 2024. This figure has grown more than 50% since June 2021. Those pilots are operating beneath 2,683 ReOC holders, a figure which includes both individuals and businesses.

With CASA making moves to cut the red tape further, we’re expecting to see even more RePL and ReOC holders enter the industry over the next two decades.
 

DJI Held a 76% Market Share in Global Drone Sales in 2021

DJI has long been considered the world’s premier drone manufacturer. While there are now dozens of high-quality alternatives available, DJI is expected to retain its market share in the coming years.

Currently, the China-based DJI holds a market share of 76% by volume. This makes other players seem small in comparison, despite the fact that DJI is competing with the likes of Boeing and NVIDIA.
 

Multirotor Drones Have a Market Revenue Share of 62.4%

Finally, the latest data shows that traditional multirotor drones hold a market revenue share of 62.4%, far outperforming fixed-wing and VTOL drones.

This dominance is due to the versatility of multirotor drones, significant investment into the technology, and the availability of payloads and sensors.

Despite the current state of the market, VTOL drones are expected to be the fastest-growing sector, with a CAGR of 18.17% to 2032. 

Growth in VTOL and fixed wing drones comes on the back of increased demand in military, agriculture, forestry and goods transport industries. These markets demand drones with longer range and improved BVLOS capabilities, making VTOL and fixed wing aircraft the natural choice.

What’s Next for the Commercial Drone Industry?

The drone market is one of the world’s most exciting opportunities! It’s an industry that’s evolving rapidly, and now is the perfect time to invest in the technology.

Toll Uncrewed Systems provides drone services and drone training in Australia.

We offer a range of drone services that can reduce your costs, improve safety and deliver better outcomes on any project. For pilots and service providers, we also provide a training catalogue that can prepare you for the next stage in your career.

Speak with Toll Uncrewed Systems about our training and services to get onboard with the future of Australia’s commercial drone industry.