Get your remote pilot licence

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.

  1. Get an aviation reference number (ARN)

    You can apply for your ARN through our myCASA portal. You need to create an account if you haven't used the myCASA portal before.

    Learn more about applying for an ARN.

  2. 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.

  3. Pass the required theory component

    You will need to pass the theory component of the RePL training course.

  4. 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.

Extra Body field:

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.

  1. 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.

  2. Pass the required theory component

    You may need to sit the RPA specific theory and pass the RPA specific theory examination (if applicable).

  3. 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.

  4. 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:

Download your digital accreditation certificate

On completion, you can download your remote pilot licence to your digital wallet on your mobile phone using myCASA.

Last updated:
11 Oct 2024
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//drones/remote-pilot-licence/get-your-remote-pilot-licence
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