Drone Laws Australia 2026: What You Need to Know

Drone laws in Australia apply to all remote-controlled camera drones, including small under-249g models. Pilots must stay below 120 metres, keep at least 30 metres from people, never fly over crowds, keep the drone within sight, and check airspace before take-off. Recreational users usually do not need registration or a licence, but drones used for real estate, farm work, inspections, paid videos, or business content may need registration and operator accreditation. Long-range transmission, GPS, and return-to-home features do not allow you to ignore these rules.

Australia’s drone rules can change, so always check CASA guidance and local restrictions before flying.

Drone Laws Australia

Camera drones are easy to buy, but they still come with real flying rules. Even compact GPS camera drones with 4K video and long-range transmission must be flown within legal limits. Features like stabilised cameras or automated flight modes do not override aviation rules.

E-Ozzie sells travel-friendly models such as the Potensic ATOM 2 and ATOM SE. These drones combine cameras, GPS, foldable bodies and long video transmission ranges. Those features can make flying easier, but they do not replace the legal requirements. 

Before flying drones in Australia, you need to check where, why and how you plan to fly. Here is a list that covers the main drone laws Australia:

1. Fly no higher than 120 metres above the ground.

2. Keep the drone at least 30 metres away from people not involved in the flight.

3. Never fly directly over people, crowds, busy beaches, roads, events or sports grounds.

4. Keep the drone within direct visual line of sight at all times.

5. Fly only during daylight and in clear weather where the drone remains visible.

6. Operate only one drone at a time.

7. Stay away from bushfires, accidents, police activity, rescues and other emergency areas.

8. Never fly in a way that could endanger aircraft, people, vehicles, buildings or property.

9. Check a CASA-verified drone safety app before every flight.

10. Drones over 250g must normally stay at least 5.5km from controlled airports.

11. Drones weighing 250g or less may fly within 5.5km of a controlled airport only below 45 metres and outside airport boundaries and runway paths.

12. Land safely if a crewed aircraft appears nearby.

13. Under-249g drones must still follow CASA height, distance, airspace and line-of-sight rules.

14. Register any drone used for business, paid work, real estate, inspections, farm work or marketing.

15. Commercial pilots may need CASA operator accreditation, a RePL or a ReOC, depending on the drone and operation.

16. Check council, national park, state and landowner rules before taking off or landing.

17. Avoid recording private homes, backyards or identifiable people without considering privacy laws.

18. GPS, return-to-home and long-range transmission do not remove the pilot’s legal responsibility to fly safely.
    
    

Who These Drone Rules Apply To

If your drone records video, flies with GPS, or is used for property shots, this guide is for you. You do not need to be an aviation expert to understand Drone Laws Australia. The rules affect everyday users, including:

• A beginner learning with a camera drone

• A traveller recording coastal or outdoor views

• A creator filming YouTube videos or social content

• A real estate agent taking property footage

• A farmer checking fences, crops or livestock

• A business owner creating marketing videos

The laws on drones in Australia depend on more than the drone model. Your flight location, the drone’s weight, the surrounding people and whether you fly for fun or work can all change what is required.

Drone Safety Rules in Australia

These Drone safety rules Australia pilots follow apply to small and large camera drones.

Under-249g Drone Rules

Light drones still have strict limits. Even sub-249g drones must follow all safety rules, including:

• No flying over people

• No unsafe or reckless operation

• Must stay within visual line of sight

• Must check airspace before take-off

A drone weighing 250g or less may be flown up to 45m high within 5.5km of a controlled airport, but not inside the airport boundary or runway approach and departure paths. It must never create a hazard to aircraft. 

Rules for Camera Drones and 4K Video Drones

Good footage still has to be filmed legally and safely. Camera drone buyers often want smooth gimbal footage, 4K video, landscape views, travel clips, real estate videos, or social media content. 

When planning a video flight:

• Do not fly over people at beaches, parks or outdoor events.

• Avoid residential areas where a falling drone could endanger people or property.

• Consider privacy before recording homes, backyards or identifiable people.

• Do not fly near an airport simply to capture a city view.

• Treat real estate and business footage as work use.
  
  

GPS and Return-to-Home Features

GPS can support stable hovering, position holding, return-to-home, and automated flight features. Return-to-home should be treated as a backup, not a substitute for planning. 

Before flying:

• Set correct return height

• Confirm GPS lock

• Check wind and obstacles

• Ensure clear take-off area
  
  

Before take-off, confirm that the home point has been recorded correctly, check the battery and choose an open flight area. 

Drone Use on Farms, Land and Property Checks 

Farm work may still be commercial use. A small GPS camera drone may make basic viewing faster, but farm use is not automatically recreational; commercial requirements may apply.

1. Work-use drones must be registered with CASA, even under 249g.

2. Drones up to 2kg usually need operator accreditation.

3. Drones over 2kg may need a RePL, ReOC, records or extra approval.

4. CASA safety rules still apply: stay below 120m, keep 30m from people and keep the drone in sight.

5. Check airports, neighbours, roads, powerlines, privacy and local rules before flying.
   
   

Do You Need a Drone Licence in Australia?

It depends on use and drone category. Recreational flying usually does not require a licence, registration or operator accreditation. For work or business use:

• The drone must be registered.

• A micro or sub-2kg excluded-category pilot can usually use operator accreditation.

• A RePL is required when flying for a ReOC holder or for certain heavier operations.

• A ReOC lets a business provide more complex drone services and apply for additional approvals.
  
  

A RePL (Remote Pilot Licence) does not expire, but it only covers the drone types and weight categories shown on the licence. A ReOC (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate) is a business certificate, not a personal pilot licence.

When Drone Registration Is Required

Recreational users are different from business users. Registration is generally not required when a drone is used only for sport or recreation. 

Every business drone must be registered, even when it weighs under 249g. This includes drones used for real estate videos, paid photography, inspections, research and business marketing.

CASA registration:

• Remains valid for 12 months

• Requires the person registering to be at least 16

• Is free for drones weighing 500g or less

• Currently carries a $40 levy for each business drone weighing more than 500g
  
  

Flying an unregistered business drone can lead to a fine of up to $18,200.

How to Register a Drone in Australia 

Registration is required when a drone is used for business or work, including farm checks, real estate, inspections or paid content. Recreational drones usually do not need registration.

1. Create or sign in to a myCASA account.

2. Apply for or link an Aviation Reference Number (ARN).

3. Verify your identity.

4. Select Drone Registration and Begin Drone Registration.

5. Enter the drone’s make, model, weight, type and serial number.

6. Review the details, accept the declaration and pay any fee.

7. Download or keep the registration certificate.
   
   

You must be at least 16. Registration lasts 12 months. It is free for drones up to 500g, while business drones over 500g currently have a $40 levy. The pilot must also hold the required CASA accreditation or licence.

Drone Laws Australia FAQs

Can I fly an under-249g drone anywhere in Australia?

No. Small drones must still follow CASA safety rules, airport limits, airspace restrictions and local take-off requirements.

Can I use a camera drone for real estate videos?

Yes, but it counts as business use, so the drone must be registered and the pilot needs the required accreditation or licence.

Can I use a drone on my farm?

Yes. However, farm inspections can count as work use, while larger drones and advanced operations may require training, records or approvals.

Do I need a licence for a Potensic-style camera drone?

For recreational flying, usually no. For business use, review the relevant accreditation, registration and Drone licence Australia requirements.

Can I fly a long-range drone 10km away?

No. A listed transmission range does not remove the requirement to keep the drone within direct visual line of sight.

Can I fly over people for better video?

No. Keep at least 30m away from people who are not involved in operating the drone and never fly directly above them.