Remote pilot competency in Australia

What the rules say

Each line is resolved from published facts of Australia. "Not resolved" means the corpus does not answer it in a machine-checkable way — never that the law is silent.

• Competency requiredConditional
• Training requiredConditional
• Examination requiredConditional
• Proof of competency issuedConditional
• Operation-specific qualificationYes
• Validity periodConditional
• Renewal or recurrent trainingNot resolved
• Minimum ageNot resolved
• Weight-based triggerNot resolved

What changes the answer

The published rules distinguish the excluded rpa category of operation.

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational rule

  Accreditation or remote pilot licence requirement for excluded and micro RPA

  A person does not operate an excluded RPA or a micro RPA unless they hold either an accreditation authorising the operation of excluded RPA and micro RPA, or a remote pilot licence.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Aeronautical Knowledge Component Standards

  The aeronautical knowledge component of a RePL training course for a particular category of RPA must include training and assessment in the units of aeronautical knowledge from Schedule 4 prescribed for that category.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Aeronautical Knowledge for RePL Upgrade (Different Category)

  An applicant upgrading a RePL from a small RPA to a medium or large RPA of a different category must complete training and pass an examination in all Schedule 4 units of knowledge (except Common units), unless they hold an equivalent manned flight crew licence.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Aeronautical Knowledge Requirements for Upgrading to a Different Small RPA Category

  To upgrade a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) to include a different category of small RPA, the applicant must complete training and pass an examination in all non-common units of knowledge required under Schedule 4, unless they hold an equivalent manned flight crew qualification.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Alternative Assessment for Undemonstrable Practical Variables

  If operating conditions prevent the demonstration of a practical variable, the instructor must require the applicant to complete a simulation or oral explanation and certify in writing why the physical demonstration was impossible.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Alternative Assessment Methods for Undemonstrable Variables

  If operating conditions prevent the demonstration of a flight variable during an innovative RPA assessment, the instructor must require the applicant to complete a computer simulation or provide a detailed oral explanation, and certify the exception in writing.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for excluded RPA and micro RPA accreditation

  An individual may apply to CASA in writing for accreditation authorising them to operate excluded RPA and micro RPA.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application Requirements for RPA Operator Certification

  An application for certification as an RPA operator must include details of the applicant's structure, staff qualifications (including chief remote pilot and maintenance controller), facilities, practices, proposed operations, and training details if applicable.

  Open the requirementOfficial source

Official sources

• CASR 1998 — Division 101.F.5: Operation of certain RPA for hire or reward — Civil Aviation Safety AuthorityOpen
• Part 101 Manual of Standards 2019 — Chapter 14: Permissible modifications to registered RPA — Civil Aviation Safety AuthorityOpen

Known limitations

• 3 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Other drone rules in Australia

• Do I need to register my drone in Australia?Registration in Australia depends on the aircraft and the operation: it applies once the published conditions below are met, each cited to the rule that sets it.
• What is the maximum drone altitude in Australia?Drone flights in Australia are held to a published general height limit of 121.92 m AGL. The limit is not absolute: the published conditions that change it are cited below.
• Can I fly a drone near an airport in Australia?Drone flights near aerodromes in Australia are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.
• Is BVLOS drone flight allowed in Australia?BVLOS in Australia runs through a defined authorisation pathway rather than an open permission: the published conditions below set out what that pathway requires.
• When does a drone operation need authorisation in Australia?Whether an operation in Australia needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.

All drone laws in Australia