Australia CASA Drone Rules 2026: What You Need to Know

Australia CASA Drone Rules 2026: What You Need to Know

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates drone operations in Australia under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 101. The rules are among the most detailed in the world, with specific provisions for different drone weights and operation types. This guide covers the key rules for recreational and commercial operators.

The Excluded Category — Under 250g

Drones under 250g are classified as "excluded" RPA in Australia. Key rules:

• No registration required
• No operator accreditation required
• Must still follow basic safety rules: fly below 120m, not over people, not near aerodromes, not at night, within visual line of sight
• Must not fly over a "populous area" — defined as an area where, in the event of an incident, a large number of people could be injured

DJI Mini-series drones (Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro) fall into this category, making them the most accessible drones for recreational Australian operators.

Recreational Operators — 250g to 25kg

Recreational operators flying drones between 250g and 25kg must:

• Register the drone with CASA (free of charge)
• Complete the CASA accreditation test (free online test)
• Follow the Standard Operating Conditions (SOC):

• Fly below 120m AGL
• Fly within visual line of sight
• Not fly over people
• Not fly within 5.5km of a controlled aerodrome without authorization
• Not fly at night
• Give way to manned aircraft at all times

For registration and accreditation, see the CASA drones hub.

Commercial Operators — Two Pathways

Commercial drone operations (any operation for financial gain or reward) require one of two approvals:

Option 1 — ReOC (Remote Operator's Certificate): Required for most commercial operations. The applicant must demonstrate safety management systems, operator competency, and operational procedures. Issued to the operator organization rather than the individual.

Option 2 — Standard Scenario Declaration: A simplified approval pathway for specific standard scenarios defined by CASA. Allows operators to self-declare compliance for low-risk commercial operations without a full ReOC.

Individual commercial pilots must also hold a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) for operations requiring a ReOC.

Airspace Authorization in Australia

CASA uses the Airservices Australia OneSky portal for airspace authorization near controlled aerodromes. The system provides near-real-time approvals for operations in Class C, D, and E airspace, similar to the US LAANC system.

Key Restrictions to Know

• No flying over people — applies to all operators. Means not flying directly over an uninvolved person at any time during the operation.
• No night flying — unless approved. Twilight (30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset) may be permitted under some conditions.
• National Parks: State and territory parks have varying rules. Many prohibit drone operations without a permit. Always check before flying in or near a park.
• Privacy laws: Australian privacy legislation applies to drone photography. Recording identifiable individuals without consent in private spaces is regulated under state and territory laws.

Penalties

CASA penalties for serious breaches can exceed AUD $15,000 per incident. Criminal charges apply for operations that endanger aircraft or people. CASA actively investigates reports of illegal drone operations.

For current CASA rules and updates, the CASA drone rules page is the authoritative source.

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