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Consultation Open 21 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

We are seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the current requirements for airworthiness certification of large Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

This action is part of the RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap.

The proposed amendment would provide flexibility in 2 areas:

• The types of certificates of airworthiness that may be used for operations of large RPA
• The circumstances where a certificate of airworthiness may not be required for operations of large RPA.

Submit your feedback by 21 November 2025 via our Consultation Hub.

Regulation amendments - 23 September 2025

We are preparing amendments to the Part 101 regulations and MOS. These amendments will provide more flexibility for airworthiness certification of large RPA. We expect the proposed changes to be ready for public consultation by the end of 2025. It is important to note that this process depends on resources outside of CASA control, but we aim for the regulation to be made in the first half of 2026.

FIMS revised launch - 31 October 2025

Airservices Australia, in collaboration with FIMS vendor Frequentis and the initial UAS Service Suppliers, is now working towards a revised launch of FIMS in late May 2026.

This revised timeline allows Airservices to complete additional validation and assurance activities. This will ensure the system is fully ready from day one.

Plans remain in place to provide automated authorisations for 28 controlled aerodromes upon FIMS go-live in May.

Future of automatic airspace authorisations - 21 July 2025

Since 2021, CASA and Airservices Australia have been trialling automated airspace authorisations (AAA) for commercial drone operations at select civil controlled aerodromes.

Later this year, the trial will transition to a permanent flight authorisation service delivered through Airservices' Flight Information Management System (FIMS) and participating third party service providers.

Expansion of AAAT - 4 March 2025

We expanded the automated airspace authorisations trial (AAAT), a joint initiative by CASA and Airservices.

More than 1,400 automated flight authorisations have been processed. This has saved industry more than $1.2 million in application fees.

CASA continues to work with Airservices to expand authorisations to all civil-controlled aerodromes via FIMS at the end of 2025.

Project scoping commenced - 31 October 2025

CASA has approved the AAM aircraft pilot licensing project to establish the license and competency requirements.

The project plan is endorsed with the initial steps now underway. Industry engagement is planned to commence Q3 2026.

Sydney safety campaign - 31 October 2025

In June 2025, a geotargeted drone safety campaign was implemented in the Sydney basin and victor one corridor in response to unsafe drone activity.

As a result of the campaign, the number of drone flights fell by 45% compared with the prior period and 27% compared with the same time last year.

During the campaign period, 531 flights were recorded, down from 969 previously and 725 last year.

Know your drone - 4 March 2025

On 17 December 2024, we launched Phase 6 of our Know Your Drone campaign. It builds on the successes of earlier phases with practical tools and clear safety messages to help recreational drone operators fly safely and responsibly.

On 20 December 2024, we updated the Part 101 Plain English guide for Micro and Excluded RPA operations. This guide helps accredited drone operators flying micro and excluded category drones understand and follow the rules.

Industry Webinar - 31 October 2025

CASA and AAUS co-moderated the biannual Roadmap webinar in October 2025. The webinar provided the latest progress, key milestones and upcoming initiatives.

Broad area BVLOS pathway trial - 31 October 2025

CASA is trialling 4 approval pathways for broad area BVLOS flight operations for 12 months until 15 October 2026.

A ReOC holder who meets the requirements and criteria for these BVLOS flight approvals may apply for and receive broad area BVLOS operations approval for 12 months.

Read the temporary management instruction Broad BVLOS Operations to find out how to apply.

Exemption issued - 31 October 2025

We have been working closely with State and Territory Police forces and have issued exemption instruments to support police operations where drones can be used indoors.

Supporting first responders - 4 March 2025

We continue to support State and Territory first responders, to develop procedure manuals for scenario-based operations used in emergencies or recovery efforts.

We may issue exemption instruments from certain regulations to enable the efficient and timely use of RPAS during emergencies.