Drone Licence Australia 2026: CASA Part 101 Reforms, AusSORA and the New Rules You Can’t Ignore

Short Direct Answer

A drone licence Australia applicant usually needs a CASA Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) for most professional work. In 2026, AusSORA changes complex-operation approvals, Remote ID is not yet mandatory, and Part 101 reforms are tightening consistency across records, NOTAMs and examinations.

Meta description: Understand the 2026 drone licence Australia rules, AusSORA, Part 101 reforms and RePL pathway. Start your CASA training today.

What the 2026 drone licence Australia rules mean

Australia’s drone sector is moving into a more structured phase. The basic rules remain under CASA Part 101. However, advanced operations now require stronger evidence of risk control, pilot competence and organisational governance.

The biggest change is AusSORA. The Australian Specific Operations Risk Assessment became effective on 13 April 2026 through Advisory Circular AC 101-06. It adapts the international JARUS SORA 2.5 framework to Australian population densities, airspace and operating environments.

That matters most for operations such as:

• Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
• Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS)
• Higher-altitude operations
• Flights near people or complex infrastructure
• Operations in controlled or congested airspace
• Medium and enterprise drone missions

AusSORA does not replace the RePL or ReOC. Instead, it provides a structured method for proving that a higher-risk operation can be conducted safely.

For the most current legal wording, read CASA’s Part 101 rules for unmanned aircraft and rockets.

RePL, ReOC and the commercial drone licence Australia pathway

Many people search for a “commercial drone licence Australia”. In practice, the main pilot credential is the Remote Pilot Licence, or RePL.

A RePL shows that you have met CASA’s pilot competency requirements. It does not, by itself, give you permission to conduct every type of commercial operation.

The business or organisation may also need a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate, known as a ReOC. The ReOC confirms that the operator has suitable systems, procedures, training and safety controls.

RePL

A RePL is generally needed when you:

• Fly drones over 2 kg for commercial work
• Conduct operations outside standard conditions
• Work for an operator that requires licensed pilots
• Fly specialised or industrial aircraft
• Progress towards BVLOS, medium-category or enterprise work

ReOC

A ReOC is generally required when an organisation:

• Operates drones over 2 kg commercially
• Conducts operations outside standard conditions
• Needs documented operational control
• Applies for advanced CASA approvals
• Uses complex procedures, aircraft or airspace

You may operate under an employer’s ReOC. You do not always need to hold your own certificate.

Ace Aviation operates under CASA.ReOC.1421 and trains pilots for real commercial environments. Its programs have supported more than 4,000 students across Australia and international locations, including Singapore, Dubai, Korea and Malaysia.

Explore the full range of CASA-approved drone courses or compare your goals with the Ace Aviation licence pathway.

Key facts table: Australia’s drone rules in 2026

How to become a drone pilot Australia applicants can trust

If you are asking how to become a drone pilot Australia, begin with the operation you want to perform. Do not choose a course based only on the smallest drone you currently own.

Your future work may involve construction surveys, agriculture, mining, infrastructure inspection, emergency support, mapping or media. Each field can require different aircraft, endorsements, operating procedures and approvals.

Step 1: Define your intended operation

Write down:

1. The type of work you want to perform.
2. The aircraft you expect to fly.
3. The locations where you will operate.
4. Whether you need night, EVLOS or BVLOS capability.
5. Whether you will work for an employer or your own business.
6. Whether people, roads, buildings or controlled airspace are involved.

This simple review prevents many training mistakes.

Step 2: Check whether accreditation is enough

A low-risk commercial operation may fit the sub-2 kg standard pathway. In that case, the operator may use free online RPA Operator Accreditation.

The operation must remain within the applicable standard conditions. Accreditation is valid for three years. It does not open every commercial pathway.

You still need to understand airspace, emergency procedures, privacy, weather, aircraft limitations and separation distances.

Step 3: Obtain an ARN and register your aircraft

Commercial operators need an Aviation Reference Number, or ARN. You use it to interact with CASA and manage aviation records.

Register each commercial aircraft through myCASA. Registration remains compulsory for drones over 250 g. For commercial drones over 500 g, the current registration fee is $40 per aircraft each year.

Keep registration details current when you add, sell or retire aircraft.

Step 4: Complete RePL training

For most professional work, the RePL is the correct foundation. Training normally includes:

• Aviation law and Part 101 requirements
• Human factors and decision-making
• Meteorology
• Airspace and charts
• Aircraft systems
• Emergency procedures
• Operating limitations
• Flight planning
• Practical aircraft handling
• Theory and practical assessment

At Ace Aviation, students train with instructors and commercial-grade equipment. They can also build towards AROC, night operations, enterprise aircraft and advanced pathways.

Step 5: Work under a suitable ReOC

A RePL allows you to act as a qualified remote pilot. It does not automatically authorise your business to conduct every commercial operation.

If you join an established company, that company may provide the ReOC and operational system. If you establish your own business, you may need to apply for a ReOC and develop:

• An operations manual
• Maintenance procedures
• Training and checking systems
• Risk-management processes
• Emergency response procedures
• Pilot and aircraft records
• Chief Remote Pilot oversight

Ace’s Gold pathway includes ReOC setup and Chief Remote Pilot training. You can also request a personalised training quote.

Step 6: Add advanced capability

A RePL can become the first stage of a longer aviation career. Depending on your goals, you may progress to:

• Night VLOS
• AROC
• Medium-category operations
• BVLOS
• EVLOS
• Agricultural spraying
• Industrial inspections
• Heavy-lift aircraft
• Enterprise compliance systems
• Chief Remote Pilot responsibilities

You can review BVLOS training options or specialised drone pathways.

What AusSORA changes for complex operations

Before AusSORA, operators still had to provide CASA with a credible safety case. The new framework creates a clearer and more repeatable structure for that work.

AusSORA considers two central risk areas:

• Ground risk: The risk of harming people, property or infrastructure below.
• Air risk: The risk of conflict with crewed aircraft or other airspace users.

An AusSORA submission may need to explain:

• The operation’s purpose and boundaries
• Aircraft performance and reliability
• Population exposure
• Containment measures
• Detect-and-avoid controls
• Communication methods
• Pilot competency
• Emergency procedures
• Command-and-control links
• Operational limitations
• Monitoring and reporting

The framework is not a shortcut. It is a better way to show that hazards have been identified and controlled.

For example, a BVLOS mining survey may need more than a licensed pilot and a suitable drone. The operator may need an approved concept of operations, air-risk controls, contingency procedures and evidence that the aircraft can remain contained.

Therefore, operators should start their documentation early. Training providers, Chief Remote Pilots and aviation consultants can help, but the operator remains responsible for compliance.

Examples: how the rules apply

Example 1: A sub-2 kg real-estate drone

A pilot uses a 1.5 kg drone for low-risk property photography. The flight remains in daylight, within VLOS and under standard conditions.

The operator may be eligible for RPA Operator Accreditation rather than a RePL. However, the pilot must still follow Part 101 and maintain the required separation from uninvolved people.

If the work expands near busy public spaces, a RePL and additional approvals may become more appropriate.

Example 2: A construction survey with a 4 kg drone

A construction company uses a 4 kg aircraft to capture progress images. The operation is commercial and exceeds the sub-2 kg pathway.

The pilot will generally need a RePL. The organisation will generally need a ReOC. The aircraft must be registered through myCASA.

The company must also plan for people, site access, emergency response, airspace and records.

Example 3: A BVLOS agricultural operation

An agricultural operator wants to fly beyond visual line of sight across a large property. The operation may use a heavy aircraft and cover areas with changing population exposure.

The pilot needs suitable training. The operator needs a ReOC and CASA approval. The application must use AusSORA and AC 101-06 principles.

The safety case should address air risk, ground risk, communications, containment and emergency actions.

Example 4: A public event near a city centre

A media company wants to film above or close to a public event in Melbourne. The 30-metre rule remains the default.

People who merely attend the event are not “associated with the flight”. They must not be treated as participants unless they are briefed and actively involved.

The operator may need specific approvals, a robust safety case and additional controls. A standard RePL alone is not enough.

Training locations across Australia

Ace Aviation supports students in major cities and regional areas. The theory component can be completed online, while practical training is scheduled at an appropriate location.

You can explore:

• Drone licence Brisbane training
• Drone licence Sydney training
• Drone licence Melbourne training
• Drone licence Perth training
• Drone licence Hobart training

The correct city is only one part of the decision. Aircraft category, course depth, support and future career goals also matter.

Common mistakes new drone operators make

1. Assuming every paid flight needs the same licence

The sub-2 kg accreditation pathway is narrow. It does not cover every commercial operation.

2. Treating RePL as permission to operate anywhere

A RePL proves pilot competency. It does not remove airspace, people, location or operating-condition limits.

3. Confusing RePL with ReOC

The RePL belongs to the pilot. The ReOC belongs to the operator organisation.

4. Calling a bystander an associated person

A person must be briefed and actively participating. Standing near a launch site does not meet that test.

5. Ignoring aircraft registration

Commercial operators must register each aircraft through myCASA. Registration is not a one-time business task.

6. Waiting until the application to plan an AusSORA submission

Complex operations need evidence. Start collecting aircraft data, site information and procedures well before applying.

7. Buying equipment before selecting a pathway

A drone purchase can limit future work. Select training and aircraft together.

8. Treating Remote ID rumours as current law

Remote ID is not mandatory across Australia as at September 2026. However, CASA is scoping a possible 2027 rollout.

Operators should monitor official CASA updates and consider aircraft systems that can support future requirements.

CASA considerations you cannot ignore

The 30-metre separation rule

The default rule requires at least 30 m separation from people who are not associated with the flight.

The 2026 clarification is important. An associated person must be:

• Briefed about the operation
• Actively participating
• Aware of relevant risks
• Performing a defined role

A designated spotter may qualify. A casual passer-by, customer or event attendee generally does not.

Flying over people can require additional approval. Operators should not rely on informal consent alone.

Emergency services

The updated accreditation test gives more attention to emergency services. Drone pilots must not interfere with police, fire, ambulance, rescue or disaster-response operations.

If an emergency develops near your site, land when safe and follow official instructions.

NOTAM consultation

CASA is consulting on more targeted NOTAM requirements. The goal is to require notices where they provide a clear aviation safety benefit.

Until any change becomes law, operators must follow the current applicable process. Do not remove NOTAM planning from your operations manual.

Record-keeping reforms

CASA is also consulting on streamlined record-keeping rules. Simplification does not mean that records are optional.

Keep accurate records for:

• Flights
• Pilots
• Aircraft
• Maintenance
• Incidents
• Training
• Risk assessments
• Approvals
• Operational changes

National examinations

CASA is consulting on nationally consistent CASA-managed examinations for RePL and BVLOS certification.

This should improve consistency between providers. It also means candidates need genuine knowledge, not only local test preparation.

Remote ID

There is no mandatory blanket Remote ID requirement in Australia as at September 2026. CASA is scoping a potential 2027 rollout.

Therefore, treat Remote ID as a future planning issue. Do not claim that it is already compulsory unless CASA publishes a new legal requirement.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need a drone licence in Australia?

You generally need a RePL for most professional drone work. Some low-risk commercial operations under 2 kg may use RPA Operator Accreditation instead. Recreational rules are different, but Part 101 still applies.

2. What is the official drone licence called?

The official credential is the Remote Pilot Licence, or RePL. “Drone licence”, “UAV licence” and “commercial drone licence” are common informal terms.

3. What changed with AusSORA in 2026?

AusSORA introduced a structured Australian risk-assessment method for complex operations. It became effective on 13 April 2026 through AC 101-06.

4. Does AusSORA replace the RePL?

No. AusSORA does not replace pilot licensing. You may still need a RePL, ReOC and CASA approval for advanced operations.

5. Is Remote ID mandatory in Australia?

No blanket mandatory Remote ID requirement applies as at September 2026. CASA is scoping a possible rollout in 2027.

6. How much does a RePL cost?

The casa repl cost depends on aircraft category, delivery method, location and bundled certificates. Some packages include AROC, night training or ReOC support. Check current course pricing before enrolling.

7. Can I fly commercially under 2 kg without a RePL?

Possibly. Low-risk commercial operations under 2 kg may use free RPA Operator Accreditation when they remain within standard conditions. Accreditation is valid for three years.

8. Do I need a ReOC?

You generally need a ReOC for commercial operations involving drones over 2 kg or operations outside standard conditions. You may work under an employer’s ReOC.

9. What is the 30-metre rule?

You must generally keep at least 30 m from people who are not associated with the flight. Separate approval may be required for operations near or over people.

10. Who is associated with the flight?

The person must be briefed and actively participating. A spotter with a defined role may qualify. A casual bystander does not qualify merely by being nearby.

11. What does registration cost?

Commercial drone registration over 500 g costs $40 per aircraft each year. Commercial operators must register every aircraft through myCASA.

12. Does every drone over 250 g need registration?

Under the current 2026 requirements in this guide, registration remains compulsory for drones over 250 g. Check CASA for the latest category-specific obligations.

13. What are the excluded-category limits?

Excluded Category operations are limited. They normally require daylight, VLOS, a maximum height of 120 m, no populous areas and one aircraft at a time.

14. Can a RePL holder fly at night?

Not automatically. Night VLOS may require suitable training, procedures, equipment and operational approval. Do not assume a standard RePL removes night restrictions.

15. Can a RePL holder fly BVLOS?

Not automatically. BVLOS normally requires an approved operator system, suitable pilot competency, ReOC arrangements and a CASA-approved safety case using AusSORA.

16. How do Part 101 reforms affect me?

The proposed reforms may change NOTAM expectations, record keeping and national examination arrangements. Until enacted, follow the current rules and CASA directions.

17. Do I need an ARN?

Commercial operators and applicants generally need an Aviation Reference Number. The ARN supports CASA applications and aviation administration.

18. How long does a RePL last?

A RePL is generally a continuing pilot qualification. However, operators may still require recurrent training, currency checks and company competency assessments.

19. Is an online course enough to become a commercial pilot?

Online study can support theory learning. A RePL pathway also requires practical training and assessment. Complex operations need additional operational competence.

20. Where can I find drone work after training?

Ace Aviation students can access the DroneWork job board, which connects qualified pilots with commercial opportunities. You can also review drone pilot career pathways.

Summary: prepare for the next stage of Australian drone regulation

The 2026 drone rules reward operators who plan carefully. The RePL remains the central professional pilot credential. The ReOC remains important for organisations conducting larger or non-standard operations.

AusSORA is the major change for complex work. It gives CASA and operators a common structure for assessing ground and air risk. Meanwhile, Remote ID is not yet mandatory, but future requirements should remain on every commercial operator’s radar.

The strongest pathway combines formal training, real aircraft practice, accurate records and current operational procedures. Ace Aviation offers that broader approach through CASA-approved training, CASA.ReOC.1421, more than 4,000 students trained and a global footprint across Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Korea and Malaysia.

Students also benefit from the Altitude+ program, ongoing support, practical industry exposure and access to DroneWork. That means your training can extend beyond a certificate and towards commercial capability.

For an independent provider check, you can also read Ace’s student reviews and learn why Ace Aviation is different.

Ready to start? Book your training at aaa.edu.au or call 1300 336 366.

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