More and more Australians are buying and flying drones, both for fun and for work. As those numbers grow, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has introduced registration and accreditation requirements designed to keep our skies safe and operators responsible.
Do I have to register a drone if I am flying it for fun?
If your drone weighs more than 250 grams, you need to register it. If it weighs less than 250 grams, or you only fly it indoors, registration is not required. Either way, it is worth reviewing the Know Your Drone resources on the CASA website to brush up on drone safety.
What if I fly my drone commercially?
Commercial use means any drone used for business purposes. That could be a photographer capturing footage, or a farmer spraying crops. In most cases you will need a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) to operate a drone commercially. If you hold a RePL, you do not need separate accreditation.
This also applies to drones operating in the excluded category, which typically covers commercial drones under 2kg or drones flown over your own land. You may not need a licence for these, but you still need to register them, and you need accreditation if you do not hold a RePL.
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a CASA requirement showing you know the basics of drone safety. It is straightforward: you watch a short safety video and complete an online quiz. If you already hold a RePL, you do not need accreditation.
How do you register?
Registration is handled through the myCASA portal. You will need:
- Photo ID
- An ARN (Aviation Reference Number)
- Details of your drone, including weight, serial number, make and model
- A myCASA account
- A credit or debit card for the registration fee
You must be over 16 to register a drone in your own name.
To summarise
- Drones over 250 grams must be registered
- Personal drones under 250 grams, and drones flown only indoors, are exempt
- If you do not hold a RePL, you also need to complete CASA accreditation
Thinking of going further than recreational flying? A RePL opens the door to commercial drone work. Check out our CASA-approved drone courses to get started.