TOP TEN DRONE LAWS IN AUSTRALIA:
New: Australian Drone Registration
For recreational drone users and flying for fun, drone registration will be required by
30 May 2022. Some drones will not require registration example under 250 grams that are not used for commercial/business use.
If you fly your drone commercially or for your business - all drones need to be registered by the
28th January 2021. A certificate of registration is required and valid for 12 months. From January 2021: Failure to provide the certificate of registration to Police or CASA officials can incur fines of up to $11,100.
Learn More About Drone Registration.
Australian Drone Laws and Regulations Explained
(1). Only fly during the day
As a recreational user, you can only fly your drone during daylight. This means between sunrise and sunset. Once the sun has set, the pilot must land their aircraft and/or not take off. Night flying is strictly prohibited for all recreational drone flyers.
Terminology: BOD stands for Beginning of Day, EOD stands for End of Day.
(2). 120 Meters or 400 Feet Maximum Flight Height AGL
You must not fly your drone higher than 400FT or 120M from the ground. If a building is at 50M above ground, you are not permitted to go to the top of the building and fly your drone 120M above the top. Instead, the 120M is taken from the ground level of the building.
Terminology: AGL = Above Ground Level and MSL = Mean Sea Level
(3). You must not fly over or above people
It’s against the law to fly over any person. This rule expands to local parks, sporting events, ovals where there is a game on and includes populous area. Definition of populous: The area where you are flying has sufficient density to people, cars, buildings, events etc.
(4). 30 Meter Separation
While you are not permitted to fly over people, you must keep your drone at least 30 meters away from people. This includes property such as parked cars, foot traffic, moving vehicles, infrastructure such as a railway.
(5). VLOS – Visual Line of Sight
You must always be able to see your drone with your own eyes. Without the aid of a phone/tablet screen or the use of FPV (First Person View)
goggles. If your drone is out of sight or too far away, then you’re BLOS – (Beyond line of sight). Drone Laws in Australia only permit for a visual line of sight. Visual line of sight also refers to not flying in fog or clouds.
(6). Public Safety and Emergencies
You must not fly your drone near a current emergency. Example car crash, rescue, fire, bushfire, police operation. For larger incidents, the CASA app will indicate a red circle around the incident. The restricted area is removed once the incident is clear. You can also check on the
Victorian Emergency website.
(7). 5.5KM Radius from Airports and Helicopter Landing Sites
Controlled Airport (Airport with a Tower): If your drone weighs more than 250grams, you must stay away at least 5.5KM (3NM - Nautical Miles) from a controlled airport. Example Melbourne, Essendon, Avalon, Moorabbin Airports.
Non-Controlled Airport (Airport without a Tower): When the airport is listed as non-controlled example Bendigo Airport, you may fly inside the 5.5KM radius (3NM - Nautical Miles) only if you know that no aircraft are taking off and landing from the non-controlled airport. When you see or hear an aircraft while inside the non-controlled zone, you must land immediately and not take off.
As of September 2020:
Manual of Standards Part 101 was updated to include a no-fly zone anywhere inside 3NM - Nautical Miles (5.5KM) of a non-controlled airport, include the approach and departure paths. Excluded Category and recreational drone operators are no longer permitted to fly inside 3NM - Nautical Miles (5.5KM) of an non-controlled airport. See section 9.02 and 9.03.
** Certified operators who hold a RePL and ReOC have documented process to fly in these zones and are permitted to fly inside 3NM of an non-controlled airport when there is no relevant event. What is a Relevant Event? A relevant event is when a manned aircraft is in the airspace, including when the aircraft is approaching, landing, taking off, or moving around the airport.
(8). Approach and Departure of Controlled and Non-Controlled Airports
This is a restricted zone and flying is strictly prohibited within the approach and departure of a non-controlled and controlled airport. The approach and departure lanes span 15 degrees up to 7KM from the airport and are visible on various CASA Apps. The zone is highlighted in red (restricted) as manned aircraft maybe making their approach or taking off. Manned aircraft may be flying under 400FT in these zones.
(9). Drone Laws Regarding Privacy
Different states have different laws regarding privacy and photography. As a rule, don’t photograph anyone without their consent. As a recreational user, you are required to respect public privacy by not photographing people. If you are concerned about drone privacy you can contact the
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
(10). Fly one drone at a time
Not sure how anyone can fly multiple drones at the same time. This drone law is exactly what it states. Only fly one drone per person at any one time. You can own multiple drones, just fly them one at a time.