Australia Drone Laws & Regulations

Planning to fly a drone in Australia? Whether you’re flying for fun or for work, all drone pilots must follow Australian drone laws set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This guide breaks down the essential regulations, requirements, and restrictions so you can fly safely and legally.

1. Drone laws at a glance
2. Drone registration
3. Quick Comparison
4. Where you can fly
5. Privacy & data laws
6. Penalties
7. Resources
8. What pilots get wrong
9. Flight check

Are Drones Legal in Australia?

Yes. Drones are legal in Australia, but all pilots—recreational and commercial—must follow CASA’s rules under Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.

Australia separates drone flying into two main categories:

• Recreational (Flying for Fun)
• Commercial / Business Operations

How you fly determines what rules and certifications you need.

Australia Drone Laws at a Glance

• Regulatory Authority: Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• Maximum Altitude: 120 metres (400 feet) above ground level
• Registration:
  • Required for drones used for business or as part of a job, regardless of weight
  • Not required when flying only for sport or recreation
• Licensing:
  • Recreational pilots follow CASA safety rules
  • Business or job-related flying requires operator accreditation and a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL)
• Airspace Restrictions:
  • Flights are prohibited in restricted or prohibited airspace
  • Additional limits apply near controlled airports
• Airport Rules:
  • Drones over 250 g must not fly within 5.5 km of a controlled airport
  • Drones 250 g or less may fly within 5.5 km only under strict altitude and location conditions
• Penalties:
  • Fines can apply per offence
  • Serious breaches may result in higher court-issued penalties or loss of accreditation
• Best Practice:
  • Pilots are expected to check airspace, restrictions, and conditions before every flight

Australia Drone Registration (CASA)

If you fly a drone for business purposes or as part of your job, CASA says you must register the drone—no matter how much it weighs. This includes use cases like selling aerial photos/videos, inspections, monitoring/security, and R&D.

If you’re only flying for sport or recreation, CASA lists this as a situation where you don’t need to register your drone.

CASA also notes registration is generally valid for 12 months, and you must be at least 16 to register.

External confirmation (CASA):

• Drone registration hub
• Registration requirements 

Pilot Requirements

Depending on how you operate, you may fall into one of these categories:

1. Excluded Category (Most Common for Small Jobs)

For drones up to 25 kg under standard conditions:

• No ReOC required
• No RePL required
• RPA Operator Accreditation is required

This covers many small commercial jobs such as real estate photography or roof inspections.

2. ReOC + RePL (Advanced Operations)

You need a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and your business needs a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) if you want to:

• Fly over 120 m
• Fly near controlled aerodromes
• Fly at night
• Fly in controlled airspace
• Conduct EVLOS or BVLOS operations
• Use larger drones over 25 kg

Minimum age for RePL: 16 years old

Quick Comparison

Australia Drone Weight Categories

CASA classifies drones by weight:

Your drone’s weight affects:

• Registration requirements
• Accreditation or licensing needs
• Whether you fall under Excluded or ReOC operations

Where You Can and Cannot Fly in Australia

You Must Avoid:

• Controlled aerodromes (5.5 km / 3 NM restriction)
• Restricted or prohibited airspace
• Emergency and fire operations
• Crowds, festivals, stadiums
• National parks, unless permitted

You May Need Special Permission To:

• Fly at night
• Fly above 120 m
• Fly BVLOS or EVLOS
• Operate in controlled airspace
• Conduct operations in heavily built-up areas

Airspace & restricted zones

CASA’s drone safety rules prohibit flying in prohibited or restricted airspace and recommend using a CASA-verified drone safety app to help determine where you can and can’t fly.

Flying near airports (the rule most pilots miss)

CASA provides specific restrictions around controlled airports:

• If your drone weighs more than 250 g, CASA’s Know Your Drone rules state you must not fly within 5.5 km of a controlled airport.
• If your drone weighs 250 g or less, CASA says you may fly within 5.5 km but only up to 45 m (150 ft) and you must not fly in approach/departure paths, inside the airport boundary, or create a hazard to aircraft.

External confirmation (CASA):

• Drone safety rules (restricted/prohibited airspace) Civil Aviation Safety Authority
• CASA-verified drone safety apps Civil Aviation Safety Authority
• Flying near airports Civil Aviation Safety Authority
• Know Your Drone rules (5.5 km and 250 g guidance) Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Australia Drone Privacy and Data Laws

CASA regulates aviation safety, not privacy.
However, drone pilots must comply with:

• Privacy Act 1988
• State and territory Surveillance Device Acts
• Trespass and nuisance laws
• Local council filming restrictions

Best practices:

• Avoid filming people where they expect privacy
• Obtain consent when filming identifiable individuals
• Protect sensitive images and data, especially when working commercially

Australia Drone Penalties up to 16,500$

CASA states it can issue a fine of up to $1,650 per offence, and for more serious outcomes you may be summoned to court and fined up to $16,500. Civil Aviation Safety Authority

For registration non-compliance specifically, CASA states: if you fly an unregistered drone for business or your job, you could face a fine of up to $16,500.

CASA also notes it can restrict or cancel your accreditation, licence, certificate, or registration.

External confirmation (CASA):

• Enforcement and penalties Civil Aviation Safety Authority
• Registration requirements (unregistered business/job fine) Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Resources for Drone Pilots in Australia

Helpful resources include:

• CASA “Know Your Drone” website
• myCASA portal (registration, licensing, accreditation)
• CASA-approved airspace apps
• CASA-approved RePL training providers

What Pilots Get Wrong

Even experienced drone pilots commonly misunderstand or overlook parts of Australia’s drone laws:

1. Believing registration isn’t required for small drones
   Many pilots think only commercial drones must be registered — but CASA now requires recreational drones over 250 g to be registered too.

2. Confusing privacy with CASA rules
   CASA regulates flight safety, not privacy. Flying legally doesn’t automatically mean you’re allowed to film or record people without consent under privacy law.

3. Underestimating “commercial use”
   You don’t need a licence just for filming something for fun, but any paid or business content or service makes the flight commercial, even if it’s part-time work.

4. Flying outside standard conditions without approval
   Pilots sometimes assume that because they have a licence, they can fly at night or near controlled airspace — these still require specific CASA approvals (e.g., ReOC, airspace authorisations).

Flight Check (recommended before every flight)

Before you launch, run a quick Flight Check to confirm the local operating picture—especially airspace restrictions, airport proximity, and any conditions that could make a flight non-compliant.

Check My Flight Area