We’ve developed a digital platform to provide data and services for drone users.
The CASA digital platform enables:
- RPA-related notifications and advisories
- rules and regulatory information
- services for app provider oversight
- provision of Automated Airspace Authorisations for:
- 10 trial aerodromes
- Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B).
Software developers connect to the digital platform and other data sources to create third-party mobile and web-based apps to show users where it's safe and legal to fly a drone in Australia.
We publish third-party apps we have verified on the drone safety apps page with a link to the app or developer's website.
Development of new drone safety apps
We’re working with Airservices as they develop the new Flight Information Management System (FIMS). This supports the Department of Infrastructure's Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) Action Plan. Airservices are now working towards a revised launch of FIMS in late May 2026.
Since 2021, we have trialled automated airspace authorisations (AAA) for commercial drone operations at select controlled aerodromes and in Sydney Harbour (R405 A/B). AAA enables approved apps to provide near real-time flight authorisations, streamlining access for operators.
New app providers may apply to onboard to the CASA digital platform to deliver:
- AAA services for Sydney Harbour (R405A and R405B)
- airspace awareness maps.
Please note:
- Only existing app providers connected to the CASA digital platform can deliver AAA at the 10 trial aerodromes. CASA has paused onboarding for new providers while Airservices implement FIMS.
- From 2026, some services like airspace awareness may require data sourced from FIMS instead of data.airservices. We’ll provide more details in advance of this change.
CASA digital platform reference documents:
- RPAS platform - Concept of operations (PDF, 678.23 KB)
- RPAS platform - Operating rules - Current (PDF, 817.9 KB)
- RPAS platform - Operating rules - Commencing October 2025 (PDF, 957.94 KB)
- RPAS platform - Example test procedure - Part 1 (PDF, 1.02 MB)
- RPAS platform - Example test procedure - Part 2 (PDF, 1.24 MB)
- RPAS platform - Terms and conditions (PDF, 836.4 KB)
Transition to FIMS
The transition of AAA at civil-controlled aerodromes from the CASA digital platform to Airservices FIMS will begin in May 2026. We will continue to work through the next opportunity for UAS Service Suppliers (USS) onboarding with FIMS. We anticipate this commencing soon after go-live with the current drone safety apps that have AAA capability. There will be no change to the AAA trial arrangements during this time.
During the transition:
- USS connected to FIMS will begin delivering airspace authorisations at 28 civil-controlled aerodromes
- Existing app providers connected to the CASA digital platform can continue delivering AAA at 10 trial aerodromes until:
- the transition ends
- they move to the FIMS-based system
- The transition period will run for approximately 12 months from the first FIMS-issued authorisation.