CASA has established clear drone rules for Australia, and following them is essential for safe flying. There is no legal age requirement for owning a drone, which means anyone can buy one, and there are believed to be well over a million drones operating in Australia. To keep everyone safe, CASA enforces a set of drone safety rules that every pilot must follow.
The two golden rules of drone flying
CASA identifies two things every drone pilot must always do:
- Fly only one drone at a time
- Always fly within visual line of sight
No matter how big your drone is or where you fly, you can only operate one at a time. Visual line of sight means you can always see your drone with your own eyes. Fly in daylight with clear conditions, avoid obstacles like trees and buildings, and never rely solely on the camera feed.
The main things to avoid when flying a drone
CASA sets out these key safety rules to abide by:
- Do not fly more than 120 metres (400 feet) above the ground
- Never fly over groups of people
- Keep at least 30 metres between your drone and other people
- Stay away from emergency situations such as fires, accidents and police operations
- Do not fly within 5.5km of a controlled aerodrome
- Fly only during the day and never through clouds or fog
These rules are straightforward. It all comes down to being aware of your surroundings and avoiding situations where people are put at risk.
How do I know where I can fly my drone?
On your own private property you can fly freely, but public places include no-fly zones. CASA endorses several drone safety apps that show exactly where you can and cannot fly, so check the map before every flight.
Do you need a licence to fly a drone?
You may need a licence if you fly commercially, meaning for business purposes or payment, or if your drone weighs more than 2kg. Most commercial drone pilots in Australia need a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL). Breaking the rules can attract significant fines, so it pays to know them.
Want to fly commercially, or just fly with total confidence? Our CASA-approved RePL courses teach you everything from regulations to hands-on flight skills.