Flying drones/remotely piloted aircraft in Australia

Australia’s safety laws for drones, or more technically correct, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), as defined in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101, vary whether you are flying commercially or recreationally/for fun.

When flying for money, or any form of economic gain, you need to have an RPA operator’s certificate (ReOC), or if you’re flying an RPA weighing less than two kilograms, simply notify us.

When flying for fun and not commercially, or for any form of economic gain, then the regulations are less restrictive and allow you to fly an RPA without needing to be certified, providing you follow some simple safety rules.

Check out our information sheet on the basic rules for flying RPAs.

Holders of UAV operator’s certificate (UOC) can continue to operate as per their certificate and will only be issued a ReOC if the certificate is varied or renewed.