When Using a Drone/RPA Under 2kg

If you fly a Drone/Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) under 2kg but for commercial reasons (photographers and film makers), you can fly your drone in what is called the 'excluded' category.

This means you'll need to notify CASA before you fly and operate within the standard operating conditions. This is a simple 5 step process.

Excluded category safety rules video

Step 1	Apply for an aviation reference number (ARN) An ARN is your unique ID number that we'll use to identify you each time you communicate with us. Find out more about the ID requirements and apply for an ARN.
Step 2	Tell us before you fly You need to tell us before you want to fly by completing the online notification form. Flight notifications are valid for 36 months. You'll need to complete a new form every 3 years. Notifications are specific to each drone and location, so you'll need to submit a new notification if you: get a new drone want to fly a different drone change the weight of your drone, such as adding extra equipment want to fly from a different place.
Step 3	Fly within the drone safety rules You must fly within the drone safety rules, officially known as the standard operating conditions, at all times. If you need or want to fly outside these conditions, for example flying closer than 30 m to people or fly at night, you'll need to apply for a RePL and be operating under a ReOC. The Standard RPA Operating Conditions are a broad reflection of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101 and do not include all the regulations you must follow. You must abide by all the regulations detailed in Part 101. If you don’t you could face enforcement action, including large fines and possible jail time.
Step 4	Set your accreditation You'll soon need to get your drone accreditation. Once you've learnt the drone safety rules, you'll need to pass a short online accreditation quiz. Accreditation tells us you know the rules that need to be followed at all times when you fly.
Step 5	Register your drone Drone registration is coming soon. You'll need to register your drone before you can fly it. Registration will be quick and easy. If you don't register before you fly, you could face penalties including fines of up to $10,500 and possible jail time. You'll be able to register your drone online through themyCASA portal.
Contact CASA	You can also contact CASA through our online enquiry form.

If you fly a Drone/Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) under 2kg but for commercial reasons (photographers and film makers), you can fly your drone in what is called the 'excluded' category.

This means you'll need to notify CASA before you fly and operate within the standard operating conditions. This is a simple 5 step process.

Step 1

Apply for an aviation reference number (ARN)

An ARN is your unique ID number that we'll use to identify you each time you communicate with us.

Find out more about the ID requirements and apply for an ARN.

Step 2

Tell us before you fly

You need to tell us before you want to fly by completing the online notification form.

Flight notifications are valid for 36 months. You'll need to complete a new form every 3 years.

Notifications are specific to each drone and location, so you'll need to submit a new notification if you:

get a new drone

want to fly a different drone

change the weight of your drone, such as adding extra equipment

want to fly from a different place.

Step 3

Fly within the drone safety rules

You must fly within the drone safety rules, officially known as the standard operating conditions, at all times.

If you need or want to fly outside these conditions, for example flying closer than 30 m to people or fly at night, you'll need to apply for a RePL and be operating under a ReOC.

Step 4

Set your accreditation

You'll soon need to get your drone accreditation.

Once you've learnt the drone safety rules, you'll need to pass a short online accreditation quiz.

Accreditation tells us you know the rules that need to be followed at all times when you fly.

Step 5

Register your drone

Drone registration is coming soon. You'll need to register your drone before you can fly it. Registration will be quick and easy.

If you don't register before you fly, you could face penalties including fines of up to $10,500 and possible jail time.

You'll be able to register your drone online through themyCASA portal.

Contact CASA

You can also contact CASA through our online enquiry form.