Remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate

A remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC) allows you or your business to trade as a drone service provider.

A ReOC permits your business to conduct a range of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations—subject to approval—that are not available to other operators.

You do not need a ReOC, if you’re:

• eligible to operate a micro or excluded category RPA
• flying for fun.

The requirements

A remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC) allows you or your business to operate as a drone service provider for hire or reward, including:

• employing remote pilots to operate RPA that weigh:
  • less than 7 kg
  • less than 25 kg
  • less than 150 kg
  • more than 150 kg – additional certification of the RPA required
• applying for additional permissions and approvals to conduct more complex drone operations outside of the drone safety rules.

A ReOC does not allow you to operate an RPA. To operate an RPA, you must hire a licensed remote pilot or have a remote pilot licence (RePL) yourself.

As a ReOC holder, you must:

• create operational procedures and manuals per Part 101 (Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets) Manual of Standards 2019
• make sure you train all remote pilots in the business’ operational procedures
• make sure you conduct all operations following the law and the conditions of your certificate
• keep the required operational records
• register your RPA before flying.

Find a certified operator

If you’d like to contact or hire a ReOC holder, search our directory of certified operators.

Become a certified operator

To apply to CASA for a ReOC, you must:

1. fill out :
   1. Application for RPA Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) (initial issue/variation/renewal) form 101-02 (PDF, 491.01 KB)
2. fill out the supporting documentation
   1.  RPAS sample operations manual
3. send your application and supporting documents to us
4. pay the application fee
5. pass a chief remote pilot (CRP) assessment.

Applications can take up to 70 business days to process. This depends on the complexity of your operation.

Once approved, your certificate will list the conditions of operation, including:

• type of RPA
• weight restrictions
• manufacturer and model (for RPA over 25 kg)

You can also apply for a ReOC through an industry delegate. Delegates are only authorised to issue a ReOC if the RPA is:

• used in basic aerial operations
• no more than 25 kg.

Industry delegates include:

• RPA Regulatory Services
• Total RPA
• Unmanned Approvals

We recommend you contact your preferred delegate about their fees and application information.

Renew your certificate

An initial ReOC is valid for 12 months and renewals are valid for up to 3 years.

You can renew your certificate online within 3 months of its expiry, provided you’re not making any changes.

To renew online, you must:

1. log in to myCASA
2. send us your renewal at least 5 business days before your ReOC expires
3. pay the renewal fee.

After submitting your renewal and payment, you’ll get a confirmation message and an email containing your renewed certificate.

You cannot renew an expired certificate. If your certificate expires, you cannot continue to operate until you apply for a new certificate and pay the related fees.

Vary your certificate

If you need to change or vary your ReOC or key staff roles, you must fill out:

• Application for RPA Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) (initial issue/variation/renewal) form 101-02 (PDF, 491.01 KB)

Apply for advanced permissions and approvals

To fly an RPA in some locations or under certain conditions, you must apply for flight authorisations. This applies if you want to operate outside of the drone safety rules and standard operating conditions.

As a ReOC holder, you can conduct some operations without CASA approval:

• closer than 30 metres to other people
• at night.

You may also need to request to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for some operations.

Notice to Airmen submissions

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) alert pilots to any potential safety hazards along a flight route or in a specified location.

If you’re a ReOC holder and you have received an instrument of approval that requires you to issue a NOTAM, you must either:

• fill out the Airservices NOTAM request form and submit to Airservices Australia, if you’re a NOTAM authorised person
• fill out the Airservices NOTAM request form and submit to us, if you’re not a NOTAM authorised person.

Follow the instructions in the NOTAM Data Quality Requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Operators and the NOTAM Originator User Guide. NOTAM requests that contain errors will not be accepted.

NOTAMs must be lodged:

• at least 48 hours before the commencement of the operation
• during business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday – Canberra local time).

Contact us

Have a question? Need help? Try asking our virtual assistant in the bottom right hand corner of your screen.

You can also contact us through our online enquiry form.

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