Flight approvals and permissions

To fly in certain airspace, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operators need authorisation. Only chief remote pilots of a remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC) holder can apply.

The requirements

To operate you must have a:

Applications take up to 70 days to assess from the date of payment.

Operations in controlled or restricted airspace

You must apply for an authorisation to fly:

  • above 120 m (400 ft) above ground level (AGL)
  • within 5.5 km (3 nm) of a controlled aerodrome, excluding military operating areas
  • above 120 m (400 ft) AGL within 5.5 km (3 nm) of a controlled aerodrome, including military-controlled aerodromes
  • over a movement area of a controlled aerodrome
  • in the approach or departure path of a runway of a controlled aerodrome
  • in the approach or departure path of a non-controlled aerodrome when crewed aircraft are operating (relevant event)
  • within 5.5 km (3 nm) of a non-controlled aerodrome when crewed aircraft are operating (relevant event)
  • in Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B).

Automated airspace authorisations

We’re trialling automated airspace authorisations for operations in some restricted areas and within 5.5 km (3 nm) of participating controlled airports. Before applying for flight authorisations, check to see if the location of your planned operations is in the trial. ReOC holders can use a CASA-verified drone safety app to apply.

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) submissions

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) alert pilots to 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 fill out the Airservices NOTAM request form and either:

  • submit to Airservices Australia, if you’re a NOTAM authorised person
  • 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. Airservices Australia will not accept NOTAM requests that contain errors.

You must lodge NOTAMs:

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

How to apply for or vary a flight approval or permission

  1. Complete the application form

    Download and complete the relevant sections of the following form:

    Make sure you save it to your device.

  2. Complete or update your supporting documentation

    Attach your:

    • RPAS Operations Manual
    • supporting documents (e.g. risk assessments, KML file showing flight geography).

    The following guidance materials are available to support you in your application:

  3. Submit your application, supporting documentation and pay the fee

    Submit your application and supporting document to the email listed on the form. 

    We will check that you have completed the relevant questions and provided all required documents. We will notify you if your application is incomplete.

    We will send you an estimate of the application fee, valid for 30 days. Additional fees may apply if an RPAS inspector needs to travel for an onsite assessment.

    To proceed, you must:

    • pay the application fee
    • submit any other supporting documents.

    If you choose not to proceed, please notify us via email.

  4. Assessment of your application

    Once we receive your payment and all supporting documents, we will review your documentation and notify you if:

    • we have any feedback
    • you require an onsite assessment.

    If you don't respond within 30 days, we may close your request. We'll notify you if this happens.

  5. Issuing your flight approval or permission

    After assessing your application, we'll notify you of the outcome.

    If we approve your application, you will receive a flight approval or permission instrument. It will include the conditions of operation.

How to renew your flight approval or permission

  1. Complete the application form

    Download and complete the relevant sections of the following form:

    Make sure you save it to your device.

    If your flight approval or permission instrument expires, you cannot continue to conduct those operations.

  2. Submit the application and pay the fee

    To proceed, you must:

    • submit the application to the email address listed on the form
    • pay the application fee.

    If you choose not to proceed, please notify us via email.

  3. Assessment of your application

    We will begin assessing your application once we receive your payment.

  4. Issuing your renewed flight or permission approval

    After assessing your application, we'll notify you of the outcome. 

    If we approve your application, you will receive a flight approval or permission instrument. It will include the conditions of operation.

Varying your procedures 

If you need to vary the procedures for your flight approval or permission refer to the significant or non-significant changes section on the ReOC webpage.

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated:
11 Oct 2024
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//drones/flight-authorisations/flight-approvals-and-permissions
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