Beyond visual line-of-sight operations

Beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations are where the remote pilot is:

  • operating in a different location to the drone
  • unable to maintain visual line-of-sight.

The requirements

To operate BVLOS, you must have a:

BVLOS flight approvals take several months to assess from the date of payment.

How we assess BVLOS applications

The Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) developed specific operations risk assessment (SORA). We adopted SORA in 2017.

In June 2024, JARUS published SORA 2.5. We anticipate CASA will provide an update on the transition to SORA 2.5 in 2025. All applications must continue to use the SORA 2.0 until this time.

Read more about SORA.

Temporary management instruction

We have published a temporary management instructions (TMIs) to provide clearer guidance for BVLOS operations.

This update introduces new population density bands and qualitative descriptors, which will support you to identify a more accurate ground risk class for your operational volume. The TMI incorporates elements from the latest SORA 2.5 version, including the ability to claim sheltering (in some circumstances) to reduce the ground risk class.

We hosted a free webinar designed to help you to apply to conduct beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. It covered the latest tools and tips on how to make a specific operations risk assessment (SORA) based BVLOS application.

This TMI outlines how and when CASA uses a certain method to assess complex drone operations. While SORA is the default method, we may still use other assessment approaches in some cases. The TMI also provides estimated dates for CASA's continuing adoption of SORA version 2.5.

Advanced operations

To enquire or apply for SORA SAIL III or higher operations go to advanced operations.

Broad Area BVLOS pathways (trial)

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.

How to apply for or vary a BVLOS flight approval

  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

    In addition to the application form, you must also complete and attach the following:

    Important: If this is your organisation’s first BVLOS application, CASA will likely need to carry out an onsite assessment. You must present to CASA a low-risk training area (e.g. below 400 ft AGL, intrinsic SAIL II).

    If this area is different from your proposed operational area, you must submit a separate SORA assessment for that location. This allows CASA to issue you a training and testing instrument so you may conduct practice flights, refine your procedures and to support the onsite assessment.

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

    Submit your application and supporting documents 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 supporting documents.

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

  4. Assessment of your application

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

    • we have any feedback
    • an onsite assessment is required.

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

  5. Issuing your BVLOS flight approval

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

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

How to renew your BVLOS flight approval

  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 BVLOS approval instrument expires, you cannot continue to conduct BVLOS 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 BVLOS flight approval

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

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

Varying your procedures

If you need to vary your BVLOS procedures refer to the significant or non-significant changes section on the ReOC webpage.

Related content

Last updated:
19 May 2025
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//drones/flight-authorisations/beyond-visual-line-sight-operations
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