Air Law & Regulations

In Australia, all drone operations are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). CASA is the national authority responsible for aviation safety, including both manned and unmanned aircraft.

Drone operations fall under Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR), which sets out the rules for unmanned aircraft systems and rockets. This legislation covers:

• Who can fly — licensing requirements for commercial and recreational pilots
• Where you can fly — airspace restrictions, controlled zones, and no-fly areas
• When you can fly — time-of-day restrictions and weather limitations
• How you must fly — standard operating conditions, separation distances, and safety protocols

Anyone conducting commercial drone operations must hold a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and operate under a Remote Operator Certificate (ReOC). These certifications ensure pilots meet CASA’s minimum competency and safety standards.

Not every drone flight requires a licence. The rules depend on whether your operation is commercial or recreational, and the weight of your aircraft:

• Commercial operations with drones over 2 kg — a RePL is mandatory. “Commercial” means any operation conducted for hire or reward, including aerial photography, surveying, inspections, and agricultural applications
• Commercial operations under 2 kg — an excluded category exists, but operators must still notify CASA and comply with standard operating conditions
• Recreational flying under 2 kg — no licence required, but you must follow CASA’s standard operating conditions at all times
• Recreational flying over 2 kg — requires registration and compliance with operating conditions; no RePL needed for purely recreational purposes

If your work involves drones in any professional capacity — whether surveying a construction site, inspecting solar panels, or filming a property listing — you almost certainly need a RePL.

CASA defines a set of standard operating conditions that apply to all drone flights unless you hold a specific approval to deviate. These are the rules every RePL holder must know:

• Maximum height: 120 metres (400 ft) AGL — you must not fly above this altitude without an area approval or specific CASA exemption
• Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) — you must be able to see the drone with your own eyes (not through a screen) at all times during flight
• 30 metres from people — maintain at least 30 m separation from any person not directly involved in the operation
• No flight over populous areas — beaches, sporting events, markets, and busy public spaces are off-limits without approval
• Daylight only — operations are restricted to daylight hours unless you hold a night rating
• 5.5 km from controlled aerodromes — you must not operate within 5.5 km of a towered airport without clearance from air traffic control
• No restricted airspace — military zones, prohibited areas, and temporary flight restrictions must be checked before every flight

Key takeaways from this section:

• CASA regulates all drone operations in Australia under Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations
• A Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) is required for commercial drone operations with aircraft over 2 kg
• Standard operating conditions include a maximum height of 120 m AGL, visual line of sight, and 30 m separation from uninvolved people
• You must not operate within 5.5 km of a controlled aerodrome without ATC clearance
• All flights must be conducted during daylight hours unless you hold a night rating approval
• Check restricted airspace and temporary flight restrictions before every operation