Do You Need a Licence to Fly a Drone in Australia?

With the growing popularity of drones across Australia, many new pilots are asking: do you need a licence to fly a drone in Australia? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of drone, its weight, and the purpose of your flight. This guide will walk you through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements and help you determine whether you need a drone licence, a pilot certification, or simply need to register your aircraft.

Recreational vs Commercial Drone Use

The first step in understanding drone laws is to differentiate between recreational and commercial use. Flying a drone purely for fun, such as in your backyard or over the beach (within CASA rules), is considered recreational. If you’re using your drone for work or earning money from footage or services, it’s classed as commercial and comes with additional requirements.

Recreational pilots often assume that they have more freedom than they actually do. However, even flying for fun comes with a strict set of rules. For example, drones cannot be flown higher than 120 metres above ground level, must stay more than 30 metres away from people not involved in the flight, and cannot be flown at night or in restricted airspace without proper approvals.

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Do You Need a Licence for a Drone Under 250g?

If you’re flying a drone that weighs less than 250 grams, such as the DJI Mini series, and you’re flying it recreationally, then you generally do not need a licence to fly a drone. However, you must still follow CASA’s standard operating conditions. These include flying below 120 metres, staying at least 30 metres from people, and not flying at night or in prohibited airspace without special permissions.

Even for drones under 250g, there are limits to what is allowed. CASA is particularly strict about flights near emergency services operations, airports, and other restricted zones. Even without a formal licence, you can still be fined or penalised for breaking these rules.

That said, the moment you use even a sub-250g drone for business, you may still need to hold a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) or operate under a company’s Operator’s Certificate (OC). This surprises many hobbyists looking to monetise their drone footage.

Do You Need a Drone Licence in Australia?

In general, if you’re flying drones weighing more than 250g for any commercial purpose, then yes, you need a drone licence in Australia. Specifically, this means a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) issued by CASA. If you fly for or as part of a business, you also need to operate under a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC), unless you qualify under the excluded category.

There are some grey areas in drone use that many Australians are unaware of. For instance, shooting real estate photography for a friend and receiving any form of compensation—cash, a favour, or even a bottle of wine—can count as commercial work in CASA’s eyes. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and clarify your legal responsibilities.

What is the Excluded Category?

The excluded category allows individuals or businesses to operate commercially with drones under 2kg without holding a ReOC. However, you must still notify CASA before flying. Many people mistakenly think this means you don’t need a licence at all, but you do need to be aware of the notification and operating conditions.

Notification includes registering the business or operator with CASA and adhering to specific conditions, such as flying only in visual line of sight, not operating at night, and not flying within controlled airspace. Failure to comply with these terms can result in fines or loss of flying privileges.

Do You Need a Pilot Licence to Fly a Drone?

You do not need a traditional aviation pilot licence, but if flying drones commercially, you do need a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL). This certifies that you understand airspace rules, safety procedures, and how to operate drones safely. Our training centre at Flying Glass offers nationally recognised RePL training courses that prepare you to fly professionally and within the law.

The RePL is issued by CASA after you complete an accredited course, which includes both theory and practical flying elements. At Flying Glass, we provide hands-on training at our custom flying field or on-site at your business location.

When Do You Need a Drone Licence?

  • When flying drones over 2kg commercially
  • When flying drones under 2kg commercially but without using the excluded category
  • When your client or project requires CASA-certified operators
  • When flying in controlled airspace or near airports (requires authorisation)
  • When flying for film, TV, construction, surveying, or any revenue-generating activity

These rules apply nationwide, but some areas such as national parks may have their own additional restrictions. Always check local council or park authority rules before flying, regardless of your licence status.

Do Drone Operators Need a Licence?

Yes. Whether you’re a solo drone pilot or working under an organisation, drone operators need a licence (RePL) and must operate under an OC, unless exempted under CASA’s excluded rules. It’s also worth noting that commercial jobs often require you to show proof of your RePL and insurance coverage before you’re hired.

If you’re capturing imagery for property developers, architects, media companies or infrastructure projects, your client will almost certainly request proof of certification. Don’t leave it to chance—having your RePL and operating under an Operator’s Certificate gives you a professional edge and opens more job opportunities.

What Drone Licence Do I Need?

The Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) is the most common certification for drone operators in Australia. If you’re looking to fly commercially, this is what you need. You can also obtain endorsements for aircraft types or beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations with additional training.

Flying Glass offers drone training courses where you can get your RePL with practical flying experience, CASA-approved instructors, and tailored training at our private flying site or your own location.

Registration vs Licensing

People often confuse registration with licensing. Here’s the difference:

  • Registration: Every drone over 250g must be registered with CASA, whether used commercially or recreationally.
  • Licensing: A RePL is required for commercial use of drones (unless you’re under the excluded category).

Registration costs vary depending on the drone type and use. Commercial drone registration must be renewed annually, and each drone must be individually registered.

Do You Need a Licence to Fly Drones Recreationally?

No. If you’re flying purely for fun and your drone is under 250g, you do not need a licence. However, you must still follow CASA’s rules, including not flying near emergency operations, crowds, or restricted zones. Drones between 250g and 2kg must be registered, even for recreational use.

It’s also worth noting that recreational pilots who break the rules are subject to the same penalties as commercial pilots. Ignorance of the law is not a valid defence, so make sure you’re familiar with the drone safety rules before your first flight.

What Happens If You Fly Without a Licence?

Flying commercially without a RePL or ReOC (or qualifying under the excluded category) can result in significant fines from CASA. It can also invalidate insurance and put your project at risk. That’s why many production companies and builders turn to Flying Glass. If you’re unsure or don’t have the necessary permissions, we can capture the drone footage for you, ensuring compliance and high-quality results.

Some of the common penalties include fines over $1,000 for unlicensed commercial operations, and in extreme cases, legal action. For businesses, the reputational risk of breaching CASA regulations is also substantial. It’s always better to ensure full compliance from the outset.

Get Licensed and Fly Legally

Whether you’re an aspiring drone pilot, filmmaker, surveyor, or someone wanting to start a drone business, the first step is proper training. At Flying Glass, we help you get your Remote Pilot Licence and understand all CASA regulations. Don’t leave your business at risk—fly smart and legal from the start.

If you’ve been wondering, do you need a licence to fly a drone in Australia, the answer is yes—if you’re flying commercially. Even if you’re not sure, it’s worth getting expert advice or training to avoid hefty penalties.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

  • Do I need a licence to fly a drone? Only for commercial use or drones over 2kg.
  • Do you need a licence for a drone under 250g? No, for recreational use. Yes, if used commercially.
  • Do you need a drone licence to fly a drone in Australia? Yes, if operating commercially.
  • Do I need a pilot licence to fly a drone? Not an aviation licence, but a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) for commercial use.
  • Do you need a drone licence in Australia? Yes, for most commercial operations.
  • Do you need a licence for drone filming? Yes, if it’s paid work or part of a commercial project.

Still have questions? Contact us to speak with our team or learn more about our drone training programs across Australia.