Who Needs a Drone Certification in Australia?

Whether or not you need a drone licence to fly a drone in Australia depends on how you intend to use your drone, and the weight of the drone itself. Using a drone for recreational fun does not require a licence as of 2025. You just have to make sure you’re following CASA’s safety rules, such as staying 30m from other people, so you’re using your drone responsibly.

If you are flying a drone for commercial purposes, then you need a CASA drone licence. These licenses allow individuals and organisations to operate drones for hire or reward. There are two options:

• Full RePL: Required for any drone over 25kg and in most cases over 2kg, particularly when you’re not flying on your own land.

• RPA Operator Accreditation: A less intense course that covers drones up to 2kg, and between 2-25kg if used on your own land and not for hire.

Commercial flying includes activities like photography, videography and data collection, and these licences are governed by CASA to ensure all operators meet the specific standards that are set by CASA, through training and assessment.

In certain circumstances, a company may need to obtain a Remote Operator Certificate (ReOC). This allows you to operate higher weight drones, over 25kg, and perform more complex drone operations such as flying at night. It’s best to check with CASA or a drone certification company to ensure you have the right certification.

There are many companies that offer drone certification with a variety of different training options and certificate levels, and having an RePL, or RPA if appropriate, is a nationally recognised qualification that will open up a lot of opportunities to fly and use drones and allow for proper insurance coverage too.

Commercial drones also need to be registered once every 12 months. The cost of this will vary and drones under 500g are usually free.

It is important to identify what you are going to use the drone for, and what Australian drone licences you will require in order to fly your drone safely and legally.

Drone Pilot Training

When selecting the type of course you want to take, make sure the training provider offers courses that are aligned with CASA’s requirements. Iif you want to advance your training in the future then you can consider taking further courses like the Certificate 111 in Aviation (Remote Pilot) which may be particularly useful.

Completing drone pilot courses will equip you with the knowledge and skills to operate drones commercially, and without having to comply with the usual restrictions that are placed on recreational users.

As Australia’s leading provider of CASA approved drone pilot training, Global Drone Solutions specialises in delivering expert-lead drone flying courses for individuals and businesses alike across the country. From recreational users to commercial operations, our top-quality courses will equip you and your team with all the necessary skills and certificates you need for a successful future flying drones.

While many companies offer drone operator courses, not all are certified by CASA to deliver the accredited training required in order to operate commercial drones. It is important that you check if your training provider offers CASA-approved training or your certificate may not be nationally recognised within the industry, and if you are unsure, you can check that the provider is on the CASA website before you start.

What Is UAV Training in Australia?

UAV stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and while the terms “drone” and “UVA” are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between the two. A drone is an informal, general term for any unmanned flying vehicle, but a true “UAV” is a technical term often used in aviation, military and commercial contexts.

Introductory drone pilot courses for beginners will provide a good foundation in drone technology, flight principles and safety procedures, while RePL courses, which are required for commercial use of larger drones, will usually include both theoretical and practical assessments.

Obtaining your RePL is a crucial step if you are considering a career in drone flying in Australia using a drone over 2kg, and there are numerous courses that you can take beyond this for further advancement. You will need to be 16 in order to register a drone and get an operator accreditation, but you can fly recreationally without a license before this age to get some practice.

Specialist training for operations like night flying, advanced drone systems or specific drone models for agricultural use are all branches you can extend to, and at Global Drone Solutions we also offer a Remote Pilot Licence Annual Refresher course to help pilots refresh their knowledge and stay up to date with all the latest CASA regulations and best practices.

Course Packages

At Global Drone Solutions we offer course packages, which is a more cost-effective way to combine multiple courses and qualifications. If you are looking to obtain different licences and qualifications, then choosing a package will be kinder to your budget in the long run than purchasing individual drone flying courses separately.

Packages can provide you with a wider range of topics to learn, broadening your knowledge and helping you understand more about drone operations, regulations and safety. Competing multiple courses can expand your career opportunities, launching your own successful drone business or other operations across industries.

The Importance of Australian Drone Licences

Drone licences have been designed in order to provide safer commercial drone operations, both for the operator and for the public, and without the correct licences in Australia operating a drone is illegal and can result in hefty fines.

Understanding and following regulations reduces the risks of accidents, and ensures pilots are properly trained and fully aware of safety protocols. Having a CASA drone licence will provide you with legal authorisation to fly in various situations and environments, such as otherwise restricted airspace.

The drone industry is fast-expanding, and numerous jobs open up when you have a drone licence, including roles in diverse industries like mining, television and films, construction and agriculture. They are being extensively used for aerial footage and photography in sectors like real estate, tourism and events, and you can even qualify to manage your own team of drone pilots.

In short, if you want to fly drones, obtaining the right licences not only makes flying drones more enjoyable, but ensures compliance with aviation regulations, promotes safer practices, opens a wider range of opportunities and will make your whole drone flying experience more enjoyable.

At Global Drone Solutions, we have all the courses you’ll need to get the knowledge for your licence.

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