Country guide · Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Australia)
Drone rules in Australia
Where can I fly?
Registration
No registration required for recreational flying. Standard CASA safety rules still apply regardless of weight.
Recreational drone registration is indefinitely paused as of 2026 — no registration required for any recreational weight. Commercial operations require ReOC/RePL regardless of weight.
Same as 250 g+ band for recreational use. Drones over 25 kg require formal CASA approval before flying regardless of use type.
Pilot test / certificate
No test required. CASA recommends its free online Drone Awareness Course via myCASA.
No test legally required for recreational flying. Free voluntary online course available through myCASA portal. Commercial pilots must hold a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL).
No test required for recreational use. Same commercial certification pathway (RePL) applies.
Marking & altitude
No marking required for recreational drones. Commercial operators must display their Remote Operator's Certificate (ReOC) identification on the aircraft.
120 m above ground level (AGL) for all recreational operations. Measured from the surface directly below the drone, not sea level.
Key restrictions
- Must stay at least 30 m away from people not involved in the flight at all times.
- Do not fly within 5.5 km of a controlled airport. Drones under 250 g may fly within this zone up to 45 m altitude, but must stay clear of the airport boundary and all runway or approach/departure paths.
- Daylight hours only. Night flying requires specific CASA approval.
- All flights must stay within visual line of sight (VLOS). Only one drone may be flown at a time in the recreational category.
- Check airspace before every flight using the CASA 'Can I Fly There?' tool or a CASA-verified app (ok2fly, AirShare): https://www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules
Australia specifics
Recreational drone registration is indefinitely paused in Australia as of 2026. State and territory governments independently control national parks, state parks, and nature reserves — drone rules vary significantly. Check the federal-state rules overview before any flight in a protected area: https://www.drones.gov.au/drone-rules/state-and-territory-rules
Official apps
ok2fly — a CASA-verified drone safety app (AvSoft Australia). CASA retired its own app; ok2fly is a verified third party, not CASA's app.