From 28 January 2021, any RPA flown for work or on behalf of an employer must be registered with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)—no matter how much it weighs.

So far, more than 12,500 RPA have been registered with CASA and more than 1,300 organisations nationally have taken advantage of the initial free registration period. 

Drone registration is valid for 12 months and is quick and easy to do online—simply visit the CASA website and sign into myCASA to begin.

As well as being registered, all drones used for business purposes will need to be flown by a pilot with accreditation or a remote pilot’s licence. Operator accreditation is free, valid for 3 years and can also be completed online via myCASA.

The requirements

If you fly a drone, or a RPA, for business or as part of your job, you must get an RPA operator accreditation to fly it by 28 January 2021.

This may include activities such as:

• selling photos or videos taken from a drone
• inspecting industrial equipment, construction sites or infrastructure
• monitoring, surveillance or security services
• research and development
• any drone activities on behalf of your employer.

This only applies to operators that fly an excluded category or micro RPA for business or as part of your job and it weighs:

• 250 g or less (micro RPA)
• more than 250 g but no more than 2 kg (very small RPA)
• more than 2kg but no more than 25 kg and you only fly it over your own land (small RPA).

Penalties for flying without an accreditation

From 28 January 2021, employers or individuals can be fined if flying a drone for business or as part of your job without a valid RPA operator accreditation or RePL.  The fine is up to $11,100.

You can be asked to produce an RPA operator accreditation certificate or RePL by an authorised representative of CASA or member of the Australian Federal Police or State and Territory police services.

For further information, visit www.casa.gov.au/drones