Anyone can apply for a remote pilot licence (RePL), but you only need one if you want to:
You do not need a RePL if you're:
The requirements
If you have your RePL, you can:
- work as a remote pilot for an individual or business that holds a ReOC, or apply for your own ReOC
- fly a drone more than 25 kg but not more than 150 kg for commercial purposes over your own land, without a ReOC.
Your RePL will show the type and weight category of drone you can fly. This includes:
- less than 7 kg
- less than 25 kg
- less than 150 kg (type specific ratings only)
- more than 150 kg (type specific ratings only).
A RePL does not expire. There is no minimum age to get a RePL.
Medium RPA flown over your own land
You can fly a drone weighing more than 25kg but not more than 150 kg over your own land for business or as part of your job. This is provided you do not accept any type of payment for the services.
This is the landowner or private landholder excluded category. You do not need a ReOC to fly a drone in this category.
Examples of the types of operations you can do under this excluded category include:
- aerial spotting
- crop, livestock or equipment inspections
- land surveying
- agricultural operations
- carrying cargo.
You must:
Get your RePL
To get a RePL, you must follow these steps.
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Get an aviation reference number (ARN)
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Find a certified RePL training provider.
Use our search centre to find a relevant training provider. You can search for both the operation (practical) and theory components of your course.
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Pass the required theory component
You will need to pass the theory component of the RePL training course.
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Pass the practical skills component
You will also need to pass the practical skills part for the type and category of RPA you intend to fly.
If you pass, your RePL training provider will apply to CASA for your RePL on your behalf.
If you want to fly in controlled airspace, you'll also need an aeronautical radio operators licence (AROC). An AROC allows you to broadcast over VHF radio aviation frequency with other pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers or emergency workers in the area.
It is now mandatory for any drone you fly for business or as part of your job to be registered with us. Check if your drone is registered before you fly.
Recognition of aviation experience
You can get recognition of your aviation experience if you have either:
- passed the theory part of any Part 61 flight crew licence (for example, PPL, CPL, ATPL or RPL)
- an equivalent military qualification or air traffic control licence.
Recognition of your experience means you don't need to sit the common theory component of a RePL training course. However, you may need to sit the RPA specific theory and pass the RPA specific theory examination.
Follow these steps to get a RePL with prior aviation experience.
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Find a certified RePL training provider
You’ll need to find a certified RePL training provider who offers courses to recognise prior aviation experience. You must provide them with evidence of your prior aviation experience.
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Pass the required theory component
You may need to sit the RPA specific theory and pass the RPA specific theory examination (if applicable).
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Pass the practical skills component
You will also need to pass the practical skills component for the type and category of RPA you intend to fly.
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Log 5 hours of flying your RPA
You must log 5 hours of flying your RPA under the standard operating conditions.
If successful, the training provider will apply to CASA for your RePL on your behalf.
Extra Body field:
Upgrade your RePL
Upgrade to higher weight class
You can upgrade your RePL to a higher weight class (type) within an existing category. For example, you can upgrade from small to medium multirotor class. To upgrade your RePL follow these steps.
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Find a certified RePL training provider
Use our search centre to find a RePL training provider. Not all training providers offer courses for each RPA weight class and category.
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Pass the practical skills component
You will need to pass the practical skills component for the type and category of RPA you intend to fly.
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Provider applies for higher weight class to your RePL
If successful, the training provider will apply to CASA for your RePL upgrade on your behalf.
Extra Body field:
If you can’t find a certified RePL training provider who can provide training for the higher weight class, complete the RPA flight test web form to request a CASA flight test.
Upgrade to new category
You can also upgrade your RePL to a new category. For example, you can add aeroplane category to a RePL approved for multirotor RPA. To change categories for your RePL, follow these steps.
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Find a certified RePL training provider
Use our search centre to find a RePL training provider. Not all training providers offer courses for each RPA weight class and category.
-
Pass the required theory component
You must sit the RPA specific theory and pass the RPA specific theory examination.
-
Pass the practical skills component
You will need to pass the practical skills component for the type and category of RPA you intend to fly.
-
Provider applies for new category to your RePL
If successful, the training provider will apply to CASA for your RePL upgrade on your behalf.
Extra Body field:
Beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) privileges
The BVLOS exam is for RePL holders wanting to fly BVLOS outside of controlled airspace (OCTA) for an authorised ReOC holder.
Download your RePL
Once you get your RePL, you can view and download your licence using myCASA.
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Sign into your myCASA account
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View your remote pilot licence details
Navigate to 'Licences and authorisations' in your myCASA account.
Select 'Remote pilot licence (RePL)'.
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Choose to download licence
Select to either download to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
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Read guidance and save to digital wallet
Read through the guidance on using the digital licence.
Select the 'add to Apple Wallet' or 'Save to phone' button.
Your licence will then load into your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
Last updated:
15 Dec 2023
