Is licence required in Australia?
- Thread starter MavicDelight
- Start date
No licence required for recreational flying
Drone rules
Learn the basic drone safety rules to keep you and others safe. Find out how we enforce the rules and what happens if you break them.
www.casa.gov.au
General Rules for Flying a Drone in Australia
Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Australia.
For more information on Australia’s drone laws, see this page on the CASA website.
Licensing Requirements for Flying a Drone in Australia
If you fly a drone (remotely piloted aircraft) RPA under 2kg but for commercial reasons, you can fly your drone in what is called the ‘excluded’ category. This means you need to notify the CASA before you fly and operate within the standard operating conditions.
If you want to fly outside these operating conditions, you will need to be licensed (hold a remote pilot’s licence RePL) and fly with a certified operator to fly commercially.
Here is the process:
Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Australia.
- You must only fly during the day and keep your drone within visual line-of-sight. This means being able to see the aircraft with your own eyes (rather than through a device) at all times.
- You must not fly your drone higher than 120 meters (400ft) above the ground.
- You must keep your drone at least 30 meters away from other people.
- You must not fly your UAV over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway (without prior approval). This could include situations such as a car crash, police operations, a fire and associated firefighting efforts, and search and rescue.
- You must only fly one UAV at a time.
- You must not fly over or above people. This could include beaches, parks, events, or sport ovals where there is a game in progress.
- If your drone weighs more than 100g, you must keep at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes.
- Respect personal privacy. Don’t record or photograph people without their consent—this may breach state laws.
For more information on Australia’s drone laws, see this page on the CASA website.
Licensing Requirements for Flying a Drone in Australia
If you fly a drone (remotely piloted aircraft) RPA under 2kg but for commercial reasons, you can fly your drone in what is called the ‘excluded’ category. This means you need to notify the CASA before you fly and operate within the standard operating conditions.
If you want to fly outside these operating conditions, you will need to be licensed (hold a remote pilot’s licence RePL) and fly with a certified operator to fly commercially.
Here is the process:
- Apply for an aviation reference number
- Tell us before you fly
- Fly within the standard operating conditions
- Download the OpenSky App
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You don't mention for recreation or commercial use.
If commercial the links above will take you to RePL / ReOC pages and there are many places doing online and classroom licencing courses.
If recreational, it's all good now flying as a hobbyist to the drone rules . . . but recreational drone registration and accreditation is still expected to commence in 2022.
Will be simple (if it goes ahead as proposed) . . . an understanding of and commitment to follow the drone rules to fly, and some sort of drone registration.
There are 3 mobile apps now, all with web as well (plus a 4th web only) for where flight is allowed, check out here . . .
www.casa.gov.au
All of them look ok to check, I usually do so the night before going out anywhere new, but have a couple of apps on the phone too if I'm moving anywhere else en route that looks interesting.
Mostly you will find urban restrictions need more attention, but rural can get rare incident NFZ etc.
Keep in mind most Aussie states have 'no drone' rules in National Parks, QLD you are fine, the best state along with WA for unrestricted access, but keeping in mind with consideration for wildlife and other users.
Also be aware MANY local councils don't allow drone flight "in or on" their authorised parklands . . . this means no taking off or landing, overflight is ok.
If commercial the links above will take you to RePL / ReOC pages and there are many places doing online and classroom licencing courses.
If recreational, it's all good now flying as a hobbyist to the drone rules . . . but recreational drone registration and accreditation is still expected to commence in 2022.
Will be simple (if it goes ahead as proposed) . . . an understanding of and commitment to follow the drone rules to fly, and some sort of drone registration.
There are 3 mobile apps now, all with web as well (plus a 4th web only) for where flight is allowed, check out here . . .
Drone safety apps
www.casa.gov.au
All of them look ok to check, I usually do so the night before going out anywhere new, but have a couple of apps on the phone too if I'm moving anywhere else en route that looks interesting.
Mostly you will find urban restrictions need more attention, but rural can get rare incident NFZ etc.
Keep in mind most Aussie states have 'no drone' rules in National Parks, QLD you are fine, the best state along with WA for unrestricted access, but keeping in mind with consideration for wildlife and other users.
Also be aware MANY local councils don't allow drone flight "in or on" their authorised parklands . . . this means no taking off or landing, overflight is ok.
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All good then.
If you take photos for recreational personal use, you can even sell them later if anyone ever indicates an interest.
You just have to take them at the time on a recreational flight to be legal under CASA guidelines.
You've got the right drone to take the best pics for drone buck.
Enjoy flying here! It’s generally great - the usual tinfoil hat wearing anti-drone people about, but generally you will find the wide open spaces great - once you can travel around freely after COVID19 restrictions are lifted!
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Like best bang for buck . . . the M2P is not much dearer than a zoom for example, but the camera very much better (especially for photos), but looking at the step up to an Inspire 2 with the better camera options, this is a huge leap.
Down the list a step, the the Air 2 is a grand less, but for many a compromise they would take for the price drop, be compromising the photo quality a bit though.
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