Drone safety rules

You must fly in a way that protects other aircraft, people and property. This applies to all drones, including micro drones under 250 g.

Check a CASA-verified drone safety app before each flight. The apps show airspace restrictions and local rules.

Flying for fun

If you fly for fun, you must follow the drone safety rules.

You do not need to:

• register your drone, including micro drones under 250 g
• hold a licence
• hold an operator accreditation.

If your drone weighs more than 25 kg, you must get an approval to fly it.

There is no age limit to fly a drone for fun.

If you want to fly in a place or way that is outside the drone safety rules, you can apply for a flight authorisation.

Flying a drone for education, training or research at a recognised institution counts as flying for fun. Some limits apply.

Flying for work

If you use any drone, including a micro drone under 250 g, for paid work or business, you must:

• register the drone
• hold operator accreditation or a remote pilot licence
• follow the rules for the type of operations you do.

The Part 101 Plain English guide for Micro and Excluded Category RPA explains the core drone safety rules for accredited operators. All drone users may find it useful.

Some operations need a remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC).

If you fly under a ReOC, you must:

• hold a remote pilot licence (RePL)
• register the drone
• follow the approved ReOC procedures.

Some flights need a CASA approval. This depends on the airspace and activity, and type of drone.

Where you can fly

You can fly in many unpopulated public places such as parks, beaches and rural areas.

You must stay clear of airports and emergency operations unless you hold an approval.

Check a drone safety app before every flight. The app helps you:

• see where you can and can't fly
• check for airspace restrictions
• confirm limits near aerodromes and helicopter landing sites
• plan a safe height and location.

Drones might need special approval in certain areas like national parks or wildlife zones. Private property owners may also require it. Rules vary by state and territory.

The regulations

We group drones by size and type. This includes model aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft.

The drone safety rules simplify the regulations in Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.