Drone safety rules

The dos and don'ts of flying

You must:

• only fly one drone at a time
• always fly your drone in visual line-of-sight — this means:
  • flying only during the day
  • avoid flying through cloud, fog or smoke
  • you can always see your drone with your own eyes — not by using goggles, binoculars or another device
  • not flying behind obstacles that stop you from always seeing your drone. For example, trees, buildings or other structures.

You must not fly your drone:

• higher than 120 m (400 ft) above ground level — that's about the height of a 35-storey building or length of a football field
• closer than 30 m to people — other than those helping to control or navigate your drone
• over or above people at any time or height — a crowded beach, busy road, sporting event, concert or wedding are all populous areas
• in a way that creates a hazard to another person, property or aircraft
• near emergency operations
• in prohibited or restricted airspace (use a CASA-verified drone safety app to help you)
• rules apply when flying your drone near airports and helicopter landing sites.

In addition to the drone safety rules, different states also have rules about drone use. Before you fly, check any state or territory laws.

The regulations

We classify drones, also known as model aircraft or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), by size and type.

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

The Part 101 Plain English guide for Micro and Excluded Category RPA also captures the foundational drone safety rules. It is primarily intended for micro and excluded drone operators. However, all drone users will find it useful.

You should also read the latest Advisory Circulars for additional guidance:

• AC 101-03 Flying a model aircraft or drone for recreation or education (PDF, 1.3 MB)

You can apply for additional flight authorisations for:

• recreational drone and model aircraft operators
• remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC) holders.

Application fees and processing timeframes apply.

Flying for sport or recreation

If you are flying for sport or recreation, you don’t need

• any type of licensing or accreditation
• to register your drone.

If the drone or model aircraft weighs more than 25 kg, you’ll need to apply for an approval to fly.

Flying for work

If you’re flying for work or for your employer, you must have either:

• an operator accreditation to fly a drone:
  • 2 kg or less (micro or excluded remote pilot aircraft (RPA) category)
  • more than 2kg but no more than 25 kg and you only fly it over your own land (landowner excluded RPA category).
• a remote pilot licence (RePL) to fly a drone:
  • under your own or someone else's remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC)
  • more than 25 kg but no more than 150 kg, only over your own land (landowner excluded RPA category).

Age limits

There is no age limit to fly a drone for sport or recreation. To fly for work or for your employer, you must be 16 years or older to:

• register a drone
• get an operator accreditation.