Drone laws in Australia (2026): the CASA rules every pilot must know

Flying for fun: registration and licences

CASA currently says recreational flyers do not need a drone registration, pilot licence or operator accreditation. This is not limited to aircraft under 250 g. Drones weighing more than 25 kg need approval to fly. Different requirements apply when the flight is for work.

Read CASA's recreational and work flying requirements. A light aircraft still has safety obligations: its weight is not permission to fly anywhere.

The everyday recreational safety rules

• Stay at or below 120 m above the ground.
• Keep at least 30 m from other people. Do not fly above people or in a populous area.
• Keep the drone visible to your own eyes; a camera feed does not replace visual line of sight.
• Fly in daylight, outside cloud, fog and smoke.
• Operate only one drone at a time.
• Avoid emergency operations and situations that endanger aircraft, people or property. Respect privacy.

CASA's recreational drone rules explain these limits, exceptions requiring approval, and penalties. A quiet location can become unsuitable when people arrive; reassess before continuing.

Airports: the 250 g distinction

At controlled airports, drones over 250 g must remain outside 5.5 km and avoid runway approach and departure paths. Those paths extend to 7 km; between 7 km and 8.5 km along them, the height limit is 90 m.

A drone weighing 250 g or less may fly up to 45 m within 5.5 km, but must stay outside the airport boundary and approach/departure paths and must not create an aircraft hazard. Other airspace restrictions can still prohibit the flight.

Near a non-controlled airport, do not launch when you become aware of crewed aircraft; if airborne, move safely clear and land promptly. Similar precautions apply within 1.4 km of a helicopter landing site when a helicopter is arriving, departing or operating there.

Use CASA's airport and helicopter landing-site guidance for the full conditions and distance measurements. Check the actual flight configuration, including its battery and accessories, before relying on a weight threshold.

FPV goggles need more than a spotter

For outdoor recreational FPV, CASA requires either membership of a model aircraft association approved for FPV, operating under its approval, or your own CASA approval. MAAA FPV flying is restricted to CASA-approved MAAA locations. Having a friend watch the aircraft does not by itself authorise a goggles flight.

Indoor recreational FPV does not need CASA approval if the drone cannot escape the building. Commercial FPV requires the relevant EVLOS or BVLOS approval. Read CASA's FPV requirements before choosing a flight site or buying goggles.

Using a drone for work

Selling footage, inspecting a property for your business or flying for an employer changes the requirements. CASA requires registration and operator accreditation or an appropriate licence. Its accreditation guide explains eligibility and exceptions.

Micro and very small drones up to 2 kg can operate for work without a RePL or ReOC under the applicable conditions. Some private-landholder operations above 2 kg also qualify for excluded-category treatment. Weight alone does not determine every licence requirement: check CASA's weight categories and operating requirements for your activity.

Check the airspace and the land

Start with a current CASA-verified drone safety app. These maps are guidance, not air-navigation tools. Check local, state and territory rules separately, including any park or reserve restrictions.

Ask the relevant land manager about your exact location and intended activity. A national-park rule from one state is not a rule for every park in Australia. For example, NSW National Parks requires approval to launch, land or operate a recreational drone from within a park; exclusions and current alerts can still prevent a flight.

Common questions

Do recreational drones over 250 g need registration?

No. CASA currently does not require registration for flying for fun; work flights have different requirements.

Can I fly at the beach?

Only where the airspace, people-clearance and local rules allow it. Check the location rather than treating every beach as permitted.

How high can I fly recreationally?

The general ceiling is 120 m above ground. Lower limits and other restrictions can apply.

Can I fly at night?

Ordinary recreational flying is daylight-only. A flight outside those rules requires the appropriate CASA authorisation.

Does a small drone automatically have permission to fly in a national park?

No. Check the park's rules and any required approvals, as well as the airspace.