Introduction
Australia has developed one of the most comprehensive drone regulatory systems in the Asia-Pacific region, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). For FPV (First Person View) drone pilots, the Australian framework presents specific challenges — particularly around the visual line of sight requirement and the evolving rules for beyond visual line of sight operations.
This article covers the CASA regulations as they apply to FPV and recreational drone pilots in 2026, including the mandatory registration and accreditation scheme, the drone safety rules, and what FPV pilots need to know to fly legally in Australian airspace.
CASA’s Regulatory Framework
CASA regulates all drone operations under Part 101 (Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The framework distinguishes between:
- Excluded Category: Very low-risk operations for drones under 250g or drones under 2kg operated by accredited pilots in certain safe settings
- Standard Operating Conditions: The baseline rules that apply to all recreational and commercial operations
- ReOC (Remote Operator Certificate): Required for operations outside standard conditions
Source: CASA Part 101 Manual of Standards — https://www.casa.gov.au/drones
The Standard Operating Conditions
All drone pilots — recreational and commercial — must follow CASA’s standard operating conditions unless they hold a specific approval or exemption:
- Maximum altitude: 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level
- Horizontal distance from people: At least 30 meters (unless the person is directly associated with the flight, such as a spotter)
- Distance from populated areas: You must not fly over or near an area where an accident could cause injury or property damage to people on the ground
- Airport proximity: No flight within 5.5 km (3 NM) of a controlled airport or within the approach/departure path
- Visual line of sight (VLOS): You must be able to see the drone with your own eyes at all times — not through FPV goggles, binoculars, or a device screen
- One drone at a time: You may only fly one drone at a time
- Daylight only: No night flying without a specific approval
The FPV Challenge: Visual Line of Sight
Like most aviation regulators, CASA requires drone pilots to maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) — meaning you must be able to see the aircraft with your own eyes (unaided, except for corrective lenses) at all times. Flying with FPV goggles inherently breaks VLOS because the goggles block your direct view of the aircraft.
How FPV pilots comply:
The legally required solution is flying with a visual observer (spotter) who maintains VLOS with the drone while the pilot flies through the goggles. CASA requires that:
- The visual observer stands next to the pilot (co-located)
- The visual observer has an unobstructed view of the drone at all times
- The visual observer and pilot have immediate, effective communication
- The visual observer’s sole job is watching the drone — they cannot also be recording video, talking to spectators, or using their phone
Importantly, CASA does not require the observer to hold any certification — they just need to be a competent person with unaided vision of the drone. However, the pilot remains legally responsible for the flight.
Registration and Accreditation
Since January 2022, CASA has required drone registration and operator accreditation for all drones flown for recreational purposes that weigh more than 250 grams:
Drone Registration
- All drones over 250g must be registered with CASA
- Registration costs $20 AUD per drone and is valid for 12 months
- An 11-digit registration number is issued and must be displayed on the drone
- Registration is done through the myCASA online portal
Operator Accreditation
- All recreational drone pilots flying drones over 250g must hold an operator accreditation
- Accreditation is obtained by completing a free online course and quiz through CASA’s website
- The course covers drone safety rules, airspace awareness, privacy obligations, and emergency procedures
- Accreditation does not expire but must be carried (digitally or physically) while flying
Sub-250g exemption: Drones weighing under 250 grams do NOT require registration or operator accreditation for recreational flying. However, they must still follow the standard operating conditions (VLOS, 120m max altitude, no flying near airports or over people). This makes sub-250g FPV builds particularly attractive for Australian pilots.
Commercial Operations: The ReOC Pathway
If you fly for any form of commercial purpose (including monetized social media content, real estate photography, or paid aerial work), you need a Remote Operator Certificate (ReOC). This is a significant step up from recreational accreditation:
- Requires a Remote Pilot License (RePL) — a 5-day training course ($2,000-3,000 AUD) plus a flight test
- The ReOC itself requires documented operational procedures, a chief remote pilot, maintenance logs, and insurance
- ReOC holders can apply for specific operational approvals including BVLOS, night operations, and flight over people
For FPV pilots doing commercial work, the ReOC pathway is expensive and time-consuming but provides the only legal route to operations that go beyond the standard conditions.
Excluded Category Operations
CASA’s Excluded Category provides a simplified pathway for certain low-risk operations. For FPV pilots, the most relevant excluded category is for drones under 250g flown under standard conditions — these can be flown commercially without a ReOC, provided all standard conditions are met. This has created a boom in sub-250g commercial FPV rigs in Australia.
There is also an excluded category for drones 2kg or under operated by accredited pilots over private land with landholder permission, staying more than 30m from any person not involved, and in Class G airspace — but these operations still require VLOS, making FPV flight dependent on having a spotter.
National Parks and Restricted Areas
Australian FPV pilots need to be particularly aware of restricted areas beyond airports:
- National Parks: Almost all Australian national parks prohibit drone use without a permit. This varies by state (NSW National Parks, Parks Victoria, QLD Parks and Wildlife, etc.) but is consistently enforced with on-the-spot fines.
- Marine Parks: Drone flight over marine parks is restricted and often requires a permit.
- Emergency situations: Flying near bushfires, flood zones, or search and rescue operations is strictly prohibited and carries severe penalties — drones have grounded firefighting aircraft on multiple occasions.
- State and local restrictions: Many Australian councils have their own bylaws restricting drone flight from public land. Always check local rules before flying in a new location.
Enforcement and Penalties
CASA has dedicated drone enforcement teams and has demonstrated a willingness to issue significant penalties:
- Flying without registration or accreditation: up to $1,110 AUD per offense
- Breaching standard operating conditions: up to $1,565 AUD per offense
- Flying in a way that endangers people or aircraft: up to $11,100 AUD
- Commercial operations without a ReOC: up to $55,500 AUD for corporations
- Serious or repeated violations can result in criminal prosecution
CASA has also implemented a drone detection network in major cities, using RF sensors to identify non-compliant drone flights — particularly around airports and events.
Conclusion
For Australian FPV pilots, the path to legal flight is straightforward but requires commitment: (1) register every drone over 250g, (2) complete the free operator accreditation, (3) always fly with a visual observer to satisfy VLOS, (4) stay below 120m and 30m from people, and (5) keep well clear of airports (5.5 km) and restricted areas. The sub-250g pathway is especially attractive for FPV pilots — no registration, no accreditation required, and still capable of delivering an excellent flying experience with modern micro components. Whatever you fly, a spotter is non-negotiable for FPV flight in Australia — fly solo through goggles and you’re flying illegally, end of story.