Australia CASA Drone Regulations 2026: Excluded vs Included Category, ReOC/RePL, and Registration

Australia CASA Drone Regulations 2026: Excluded vs Included Category, ReOC/RePL, and Registration

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) oversees drone operations through a risk-based framework that has evolved significantly in recent years. For FPV pilots flying Down Under, the key to understanding Australian drone law lies in the distinction between Excluded and Included categories, the certification pathways of RePL and ReOC, and the specific flight rules that govern every takeoff. This comprehensive guide covers all the essentials of Australian drone regulations as of June 2026.

Excluded vs Included: The Two Regulatory Tiers

CASA divides drone operations into two broad categories that determine what level of regulatory oversight applies:

• Excluded Category (very low risk): Operations that do not require any CASA approval, registration, or certification. This category covers sub-250g drones flown for recreation, indoor flying (regardless of weight), and model aircraft flown at CASA-approved model airfields. Excluded category pilots must still follow the standard operating conditions (SOC) — height limits, distance from people, VLOS — but face minimal administrative burden. This is the category most casual FPV pilots will operate in.
• Included Category (requires approval): All operations that fall outside the Excluded category. This tier requires registration, accreditation, or formal certification depending on the specific operation. The Included category is further divided into subcategories: Exempted RPA (sub-2kg commercial operations with simpler rules), Standard RPA (2-25kg operations), and complex operations requiring a Remote Operator’s Certificate.

The Excluded/Included distinction is the single most important concept in Australian drone regulation. If your operation qualifies as Excluded, you have far fewer requirements. If it falls into Included, you need to understand which subcategory applies and what authorizations you need.

RePL and ReOC: Professional Certification Pathways

For pilots and organizations operating commercially beyond the Excluded category, CASA provides two key professional credentials:

• RePL (Remote Pilot License): The license for individual pilots conducting commercial operations beyond the Excluded category. Obtaining a RePL requires training through a CASA-approved training organization, passing both theoretical and practical assessments, and demonstrating competency in areas including air law, meteorology, navigation, and human factors. The RePL is similar in concept to a driver’s license for drones — it’s the individual pilot’s credential.
• ReOC (Remote Operator’s Certificate): The certificate for organizations that operate drone businesses. An ReOC allows a company to employ RePL-holding pilots and conduct commercial drone operations. Obtaining an ReOC involves developing a comprehensive operations manual, safety management system, and demonstrating organizational competency to CASA. The ReOC is the organizational counterpart to the individual RePL.

For FPV pilots considering commercial work, the most common path is working under an existing ReOC holder’s organization while holding your own RePL. Starting your own drone business requires the much more involved ReOC process.

Drone Registration: Who Needs It and How

Australia has progressively expanded its drone registration requirements. As of June 2026:

• Recreational drones over 250 grams: Registration has been required since 2022-2023. All recreational drones exceeding 250 grams must be registered with CASA. The registration number must be displayed on the drone.
• Commercial drones over 250 grams: All drones used for commercial purposes and weighing more than 250 grams require registration. This applies regardless of whether you hold a RePL or operate under an ReOC.
• Sub-250g drones: Generally exempt from registration for recreational use. However, if a sub-250g drone is used commercially, registration requirements may still apply depending on the operation.

Registration is completed through CASA’s online portal and is relatively inexpensive. The key threshold — 250 grams — is the same as most international jurisdictions, which helps to maintain consistency for pilots who travel with their equipment.

Accreditation: The Free Requirement Every Pilot Needs

One of CASA’s most accessible requirements is the free online accreditation course that all drone pilots must complete. Even Excluded category pilots flying sub-250g drones must carry proof of accreditation. The course covers the Standard Operating Conditions, safety rules, privacy obligations, and basic airmanship. It is designed to be completed in under an hour and there is no fee. Upon completion, you receive an accreditation certificate that you must be able to produce upon request by a CASA inspector or law enforcement officer.

For FPV pilots, accreditation is the absolute minimum. Whether you fly a 30-gram Tiny Whoop indoors or a 5-inch quad outdoors, you need to have completed this course. Fortunately, the time investment is minimal and the knowledge is genuinely useful for safe flying.

Standard Operating Conditions (SOC): The Flight Rules

CASA’s Standard Operating Conditions define the baseline rules that apply to all drone flights unless specifically exempted. These are the rules every pilot must know:

• Maximum altitude: 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level. This applies everywhere unless you have specific CASA approval to exceed it.
• Distance from people: You must maintain at least 30 meters horizontal distance from people not involved in the operation. This is a hard minimum — if someone walks into your 30-meter bubble, you must land or move away. For FPV pilots at parks or beaches, this requires constant situational awareness.
• Distance from controlled aerodromes: No flying within 5.5 kilometers (approximately 3 nautical miles) of a controlled airport. This is measured from the airport boundary, not the runway. For major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, this creates substantial no-fly zones that you must verify before every flight.
• Visual line of sight: You must maintain VLOS with the drone at all times. For FPV pilots, a competent visual observer is mandatory — no exceptions.
• One drone at a time: You may only operate one drone at a time. No flying multiple quads simultaneously.
• No flying over populous areas: You must not fly over or above a populous area, such as a beach, park, or sporting event where people are gathered. This is broader than just “crowds” — it covers any area with a concentration of people.
• No flying in emergency operations areas: Stay well clear of bushfires, flood zones, accident scenes, and police operations.

Penalties and Enforcement

CASA enforces drone regulations with significant financial penalties that apply per offense:

Violation	Individual Penalty	Corporation Penalty
Flying in restricted airspace	Up to $13,320	Up to $133,200
Operating without required accreditation	Up to $13,320	Up to $133,200
Endangering aircraft safety	Up to $13,320	Up to $133,200
Breach of Standard Operating Conditions	Up to $13,320	Up to $133,200
Flying an unregistered drone (when required)	Up to $13,320	Up to $133,200

These penalty amounts are per offense, meaning multiple violations during a single flight could result in cumulative fines. The tenfold higher penalties for corporations reflect CASA’s focus on commercial accountability. For individual recreational pilots, a fine of up to $13,320 is a serious financial consequence that should motivate strict compliance.

Practical Tips for FPV Pilots in Australia

FPV flying in Australia presents practical challenges: the 30-meter distance from people and the prohibition on flying over populous areas mean finding suitable locations requires planning. Fly at designated model aircraft fields (Excluded category), obtain landowner permission for private property flights, or fly sub-250g drones. Always carry your accreditation certificate and fly with a visual observer. Responsible flying protects the community’s access to the hobby.

Sources

• CASA Drones Home: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones
• CASA Drone Rules: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/rules
• CASA OpenSky App: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/recreational-drone-flying/opensky-app
• CASA Drone Registration: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/registration-and-flight-authorisations
• CASA RePL and ReOC: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/get-your-operator-credentials

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects regulations as of June 2026. Drone laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local aviation authority before flying. This does not constitute legal advice.