Compliance with foreign-registered aircraft requirements

In plain language

If you fly a drone or model aircraft in Australia that is registered in another country, you must comply with any specific rules for foreign-registered aircraft set out in the Part 101 Manual of Standards.

Requirement as structured

A person operating a foreign-registered RPA or model aircraft within Australian territory must comply with all applicable requirements prescribed in the Part 101 Manual of Standards.

Original regulatory text

(1) The Part 101 Manual of Standards may prescribe requirements relating to the operation of, or the conduct of operations using, RPA or model aircraft registered under a law of a foreign country. (2) A person commits an offence of strict liability if: (a) the person operates, or conducts an operation using, an RPA, or a model aircraft, within Australian territory; and (b) the person is subject to a requirement prescribed under subregulation (1) in relation to that operation or conduct; and (c) the person does not comply with the requirement. Penalty: 50 penalty units. 101.099AA Foreign registered RPA—unmanned aircraft levy Payment of unmanned aircraft levy (1) An application under Chapter 13 of the Part 101 (Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets) Manual of Standards 2019 for permission to operate, or to conduct operations using, an RPA registered under a law of a foreign country must be accompanied by the unmanned aircraft levy (if any) for the application. Waiver or refund of unmanned aircraft levy (2) CASA may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, waive the payment of unmanned aircraft levy under subregulation (1), or refund levy that has been paid under that subregulation, if CASA is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances justifying the waiver or refund. (3) The waiver or refund: (a) may be of the whole or part of the levy; and (b) may be made by CASA on its own initiative, or on written application in the approved form by the applicant for the registration.