What is a RePL Licence?

What is a RePL Licence?

A Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) is a licence issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that authorises the holder to fly remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) -- commonly known as drones -- for commercial or business purposes in Australia.

If you want to operate a drone professionally, whether as a full-time drone pilot, as part of your existing job, or running your own drone business, you will almost certainly need a RePL.

Who Needs a RePL?

You need a RePL if you want to:

• Fly drones for any commercial purpose or for reward
• Fly drones weighing more than 2 kilograms
• Operate outside CASA's standard operating conditions
• Fly in controlled airspace, over populated areas, or at night
• Fly beyond visual line of sight (with additional approvals)

Exceptions

You do not need a RePL if you are:

• Flying recreationally and following CASA's standard operating conditions
• Operating a drone under 2 kilograms commercially under the Excluded Category (which has its own requirements and limitations)
• Flying for a government entity under specific exemptions

What Does a RePL Cover?

A RePL is endorsed for specific aircraft categories based on weight and type. The most common endorsements are:

• Multi-rotor sub-2 kg -- Small drones under 2 kilograms
• Multi-rotor sub-7 kg -- Medium drones under 7 kilograms (the most popular category for commercial work)
• Multi-rotor sub-25 kg -- Larger drones under 25 kilograms
• Fixed-wing sub-25 kg -- Fixed-wing aircraft under 25 kilograms
• Multi-rotor sub-150 kg -- Large drones used in specialised applications

You can add endorsements to your RePL over time as your needs change.

How to Get a RePL

Prerequisites

• Be at least 16 years old
• Hold an Aviation Reference Number (ARN) from CASA
• Pass an aviation medical examination

Training

You must complete an approved training course with a CASA-certified training provider. The training covers:

Theory:

• Aviation law and regulation
• Airspace and air traffic management
• Meteorology
• Human factors
• Drone operations and procedures

Practical:

• Pre-flight planning and risk assessment
• Normal flight operations
• Emergency procedures
• Mission planning and execution

Training typically takes 3 to 5 days, depending on the provider and the number of endorsements.

Assessment

You will be assessed on both theory knowledge and practical flying skills during your training. These assessments are conducted by your training provider.

CASA Application

After successfully completing training, your provider submits the necessary paperwork to CASA. CASA then issues your RePL.

RePL vs ReOC

It is important to understand the difference between a RePL and a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ReOC):

• RePL -- A personal licence held by an individual pilot, authorising them to fly commercially
• ReOC -- A business-level certificate held by an organisation, authorising it to conduct commercial drone operations

If you plan to start your own drone business, you will need both a RePL (for the pilot) and an ReOC (for the business). If you work for someone else, you only need a RePL -- your employer holds the ReOC.

What Can You Do with a RePL?

A RePL opens the door to a wide range of commercial drone applications, including:

• Aerial photography and videography
• Surveying and mapping
• Building and infrastructure inspections
• Mining surveys
• Agricultural monitoring and spraying
• Solar panel inspections
• Powerline and pipeline inspections
• Real estate photography
• Film and television production
• Emergency services support

RePL Course Costs

The cost of obtaining a RePL varies between providers but typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the number of endorsements and the duration of the course. Additional costs include the aviation medical examination ($150 to $300) and any travel or accommodation for the training.

Training with National Drones

National Drones is a CASA-approved training provider offering RePL courses across Australia. Our instructors are experienced commercial drone operators who bring practical, real-world knowledge to the training.

View our training courses or contact us to learn more about getting your RePL.