Drone Laws in Australia

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in Australia

Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia

UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Australia

The Australian agency responsible for drone safety, CASA, has provided a number of internet accessible details on flying for fun or for work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Notes For Drone Hobbyists flying for fun in Australia

You must not fly your drone higher than 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level.

You must keep your drone at least 30 meters away from other people.

You must only fly one drone at a time.

You must keep your drone within visual line-of-sight. This means always being able to see the drone with your own eyes (rather than through a device, screen or goggles).

You must not fly over or above people or in a populous area. This could include beaches, parks, events, or sport ovals where there is a game in progress.

Respect personal privacy. Don’t record or photograph people without their consent — this may breach other laws.

If your drone weighs more than 100 grams, you must fly at least 5.5 kilometers away from a controlled airport, which generally have a control tower at them.

Remember, you must not operate your drone in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, person or property.

You must only fly during the day and you must not fly through cloud or fog.

You must not fly your drone over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway. This could include situations such as a car crash, police operations, a fire or firefighting efforts or search and rescue.

If you’re near a helicopter landing site or smaller aerodrome without a control tower, you can fly your drone within 5.5 kilometers. If you become aware of manned aircraft nearby, you will have to manoeuvre away and land your drone as quickly and safely as possible.

If you intend to fly your drone for or at work (commercially), there are extra rules you must follow. You may need a remote pilot license (RePL) or fly in the excluded category

Notes for Commercial Drone Services operations in Australia

FLYING AN RPA WEIGHING LESS THAN 2KG

If your remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) weighs less than 2kg, you can fly it for or at work (commercially). You must follow the standard operating conditions, notify CASA of your intention to fly and keep the required records. If you want to fly commercially outside of these rules, you’ll need to get a remote pilot licence (RePL).

FLYING A SMALL (2-25KG) OR MEDIUM (25-150KG) RPA OVER YOUR OWN PROPERTY

You can fly commercially over your own land, provided you are the landowner or leaseholder and you own the RPA.
For small RPA (2-25kg), you must follow the standard operating conditions, and you must not accept payment or reward. You can also fly a medium (25-150kg) RPA over your own land, provided you hold a remote pilot licence (RePL) and register the RPA with CASA.

GETTING A REMOTE PILOT LICENCE (RePL)

Before you can get your licence, you’ll need to complete the required training through a certified training provider. For more information, go to casa.gov.au/drones

If you intend to fly your RPA for or at work (commercially), there are extra rules you must follow. You may also need to register your RPA and get a licence or accreditation.

You must not fly your RPA higher than 120m (400ft) above ground level.

You must keep your RPA at least 30m away from other people.

If your RPA weighs more than 100g, you must fly at least 5.5kms away from a controlled airport, which generally have a control tower at them.

If you’re near a helicopter landing site or smaller aerodrome without a control tower, you can fly your RPA within 5.5kms. If you become aware of manned aircraft nearby, you will have to manoeuvre away and land your RPA as quickly and safely as possible.

You must not fly over or above people or in a populous area.

You must keep your RPA within visual line-of-sight.

You must not fly your RPA over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway (without prior approval).

Remember, you must not operate your RPA in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, person or property.

Respect personal privacy. Don’t record or photograph people without their consent—this may breach other laws.

You must only fly one RPA at a time.

You must only fly during the day and you must not fly through cloud or fog.

For more information visit: https://casa.gov.au/drones

Useful published information on flying drones in Australia

Here is a useful introduction video provided by CASA…

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