Australia has a pragmatic, tiered approach to drone regulation that’s generally more accommodating to hobbyists than the EU or UK systems — but that doesn’t mean you can fly anywhere without understanding the rules. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) divides drone operations into two main categories with clear thresholds. Here’s what every FPV pilot flying in Australia needs to know in 2026.
1. Excluded vs. Included: The Two-Tier System
CASA divides all drone operations into two broad categories based on the nature of the flight and the drone’s weight:
| Category | Weight | Registration | Accreditation | Key Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excluded | <250g (recreational only) | No | No | Standard RPA operating conditions apply. No commercial use. Must not be reckless. |
| Included | >250g OR any commercial operation | Yes | Yes | Must register drone, hold accreditation, follow standard operating conditions. |
If your drone weighs over 250g at takeoff — and just about every 5-inch FPV quad with a battery and GoPro does — you’re in the Included category. This means mandatory registration and accreditation. The good news: both are straightforward and mostly free.
2. Drone Registration (Included Category)
Registration is managed through CASA’s myCASA portal. Key details:
- Cost: Free for recreational drones; $40 AUD for commercially operated drones
- Validity: 12 months; must be renewed annually
- Where: casa.gov.au/drones → myCASA portal
- What you get: A unique registration number that must be displayed on your drone. Physical labels or permanent markers are acceptable.
- One registration per drone: Unlike the US recreational system, each drone over 250g needs its own registration.
3. Pilot Accreditation
If you fly an Included-category drone recreationally, you must hold a Recreational Pilot Accreditation. This is a free online course and quiz that covers the standard operating conditions, safety rules, and your legal obligations.
- Complete online through CASA’s RPAS training portal
- Takes 30–60 minutes
- Free of charge
- Must carry proof (digital is fine) when flying
- Valid for 3 years
The accreditation is not a pass/fail exam — it’s a training module with a knowledge check at the end. It ensures every pilot understands the basic rules before flying.
4. ReOC and RePL — Commercial Operations
If you want to fly commercially (including monetized YouTube content, real estate photography, or inspection work), you’ll need:
- RePL (Remote Pilot Licence): A formal pilot qualification obtained through a CASA-approved training provider. Costs $1,500–$3,000 AUD for the 5-day course.
- ReOC (Remote Operator Certificate): The business/operator certificate. The organization you fly under must hold a ReOC, which requires a chief remote pilot, operations manual, and safety management system. Costs $3,000–$8,000 AUD to establish.
For most recreational FPV pilots, the RePL/ReOC pathway is overkill. The accredited recreational framework is sufficient for hobby flying in parks, fields, and rural areas.
5. Standard Operating Conditions
Whether you’re Excluded or Included, the same Standard RPA Operating Conditions apply:
- Altitude: Maximum 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level. The drone must remain below 120m AGL at all times — even over rising terrain.
- Visual Line of Sight: You must maintain unaided visual contact. FPV goggles require a visual observer.
- Distance from people: At least 30 meters horizontally from people not involved in the operation. If someone walks into your 30m zone, you must move away or land.
- Distance from controlled airports: 5.5 km from the movement area of any controlled aerodrome. This includes major airports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc.), regional airports with control towers, and military airfields.
- No flying over populous areas: Cannot fly over crowds, festivals, sports events, or busy beaches. “Populous” is defined as an area with enough people that someone could be hit if the drone failed.
- Only one drone at a time: One pilot = one drone. No flying multiple quads simultaneously.
- No flying over emergency operations: 3 nautical mile exclusion zone around bushfires, police operations, rescue scenes.
- Daylight only: Flying is restricted to daylight hours unless you have specific approval.
6. FPV-Specific Considerations
CASA has historically been receptive to FPV and model aircraft flying, but the visual observer requirement is strictly enforced. Key points for FPV pilots:
- Your visual observer must be able to see the drone with unaided vision at all times
- The observer must be able to communicate hazards to you immediately — standing next to you is the only practical way to do this
- Sub-250g FPV builds (whoops, toothpicks, 3-inch lightweight builds) avoid registration and accreditation entirely — a major advantage
- National parks are managed by state agencies (e.g., NSW National Parks) and almost universally ban drones without a permit
- Beaches: Local councils can impose their own drone bans. Always check local signage
7. Penalties
CASA can impose substantial penalties for regulatory breaches:
- Flying without registration/accreditation: Up to AUD $11,100 per offence
- Flying in controlled airspace without approval: AUD $5,550 to $11,100
- Endangering an aircraft: Up to AUD $105,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment
- Flying near emergency operations: Up to AUD $15,650
- Reckless operation causing harm: Criminal prosecution with unlimited penalties in serious cases
CASA uses a graduated enforcement approach — education and warnings first, escalating to fines for deliberate or repeat violations. However, airport proximity, emergency zone intrusions, and endangering aircraft are treated as zero-tolerance offences.
Sources
- CASA — Drones (RPAS) Overview
- CASA — Get Your Operator Accreditation
- CASA — Register Your Drone
- CASA — Drone Safety Rules
- CASA — Remote Operator Certificate (ReOC)
- CASA — Standard RPA Operating Conditions
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects regulations as of June 2026. Australian drone regulations are subject to change. Always verify current requirements at casa.gov.au before flying. This does not constitute legal advice. Penalties listed are maximums; actual fines vary by circumstance.