Australian Drone Guide 2023/2024 - Buying and Flying

The big one is back. Revised, updated and tweaked to reflect the current drone situation in Australia and everything you need to know to buy, register and fly a drone (legally) here.
This video is in three parts: which drone to buy (brand, model and size), what paperwork you need to complete (registering yourself and your drone) and how to fly it and avoid getting fined (including standard operating conditions).
Links
OK2Fly - ok2fly.com.au
Ylobe - fly.ylobe.com
MyCASA - my.casa.gov.au
00:00 - Intro
02:26 - Part 1 - Flying A Drone
06:07 - Size Of Drone
07:29 - Model Of Drone
08:05 - Use - Travel Vlogger
08:25 - Use - Film-Maker
08:52 - Use - Photographer
09:11 - Use - The Weekend Warrior
09:24 - Use - The Side Hustle
10:10 - Acccessories
11:25 - Where To Buy Your Drone
12:47 - Drone Care
13:18 - Preflight Checks
15:19 - Part 2 - The Paperwork
18:07 - Who Are Casa?
19:20 - The Rules
19:31 - Recreational Rules
20:49 - Commercial Rules
21:33 - A.R.N.
22:19 - Drone Registration
23:21 - Advice for Tourists
24:41 - Part 3 - Flying Legally
25:00 - S.O.C.
25:31 - Rule 1 - Line Of Sight
27:03 - Rule 2 - Fly During The Day
28:36 - Rule 3 - 120M
29:01 - Rule 4 - 5.5Km
29:51 - Rule 5 - Public Photos
30:34 - Rule 6 - Marine Mammals
31:31 - Rule 7 - Airspace
32:39 - Restricted Airspace
34:01 - The Weather
35:38 - Outro

[@tezzaskayakfishing]

I could listen to you talk all day. Your delivery, dryness and humour is priceless 👌

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanking you kindly :)

[@iamtapu]

A perfect video if have the question about "drone" in your mind in Australia. Well done.

[@1imanni1]

Great video!!!

[@Andyhutchinson]

Glad you liked it!

[@Flamamacue]

Great summary for anyone hoping to understand CASA's many word salads. One small note with the DJI Avata, the big problem in the eyes of the law is that wearing goggles breaks line of sight by default, but it does support video feed over USB to a phone so it can be flown without needing to wear the goggles and to a screen making it just like any other drone on the market in regards to line of sight. They have their wording around using a screen but technically if you aren't wearing the goggles, you could well be flying it via line of sight just like any other drone product (though I nor anyone I've ever met flies any drone ever via LoS/doesn't use the screen as it would be many times more dangerous to fly in that manner) and it would be on them to prove that you weren't able to see it

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea that's a good work-around. (And also a good excuse if you got asked about it 😁)

[@sunilshenoy4399]

Your channel is gold for new and beginner drone enthusiasts. Keep doing more!! 😊👍

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks mate - will do :)

[@ashfield001]

You’re a legend Andy. Thank you for all the work.

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries :)

[@paulciaro158]

Thanks! Great work mate. You're the only source I have used for learning about drone flying in Australia as you cover all the territories, make it easy to understand and very funny too. I'm going to suggest for my son to watch this, mainly for the laughs but some learning too. :) You've got a real talent for this and it's great to see you are passionate about the topic too. I wish you greater success!

[@Response1980]

Fellow Australian 🇦🇺 here thanks for the helpful tips 👍

[@Andyhutchinson]

Happy to help!

[@Macr2229]

Thank you for your effort here. Saves so much headache.

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries :)

[@Kingdrone]

Great stuff Andy many thanks ☺

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries - glad you enjoyed it :)

[@TrueCrimeLawyer]

Thanks for this Andy! Good info!

[@ImCreepingDeath]

Thanks!

[@Andyhutchinson]

No problem!

[@dhanukajayasinghe9598]

Many thanks

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries!

[@marcusmozley1383]

Great video, thanks Andy!!

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries!

[@mypointofview444]

Thanks

[@Andyhutchinson]

Legend! Cheers Bruce! :)

[@Tom-mc9ts]

Very helpful video!!

[@Andyhutchinson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danssv8]

Thanks for being so informative , appreciated

[@Andyhutchinson]

My pleasure!

[@cocomurrugarra]

Thanks a lot for the video! I’ve just moved to Australia and this was extremely helpful 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@paulsven7923]

Thanks for the info ..... always brilliant

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks mate :)

[@CotleyJotley]

Excellent video, thanks.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Cheers! Glad you liked it!

[@ourbluedemon3604]

Good stuff Andy! Thanks for the updates!

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries :)

[@user-ce9gm7fq6m]

Well presented 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thank you 🙂

[@chloecoates6305]

Absolute legend - thanks mate!

[@Andyhutchinson]

No problem 👍

[@bobquilter4135]

Thanks Andy, great info as usual. 👍

[@Andyhutchinson]

No problem 👍

[@MC-BigCara]

Thanks for the video, really enjoyed it and learnt a lot

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thank-you :)

[@ronan4681]

Thanks for the content Mate, as always good concise information

[@Andyhutchinson]

No problem 👍

[@davidadamson7960]

Love your style, thanks 👍

[@Andyhutchinson]

Cheers 👍

[@bottlebrushmedia]

Brilliant presentation again Andy. I've been flying two drones commercially for eight years and I found everything you've said to be spot on. All excellent and accurate advice. Well done mate.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks mate - it's nice to bring a bit of clarity to the matter. :)

[@nickpatten5263]

Awesome informative video, thank you 🚁

[@Andyhutchinson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mjpt57]

thanks Andy. Great presentation. What's the go with national parks, too? In one of your vids you said that we could take off from outside the park then overfly the park itself. I think that you said that airspace is regulated by Air Services Australia, not by whoever lives/operates underneath it. Is that still a thing? Where I live, SE Victoria, we have tons of "national parks" around here and it makes it difficult to put the drone up without low orbit sateliites aiming their directed energy weapons at the drones and blowing them away. I recall a story about how you can't fly a drone in one particular park, because it upsets the resident fauna. However, local helicopter operators running their high output gas turbine driven helos apparently don't upset said fauna. Go figure!

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea - Victoria have a particularly belligerent attitude towards drones and simply have a blanket ban which I believe they enforce much more vigorously than other states. But they have no control over the airspace over national parks. So you can take off from a public road or public car park and there's bugger all they can do about it. :)

[@Beached_Van_Life]

​@@Andyhutchinson great video thanks Andy, is that the same for flying over residential area's as well, very new to all of this.

[@user-bg4pc5or7t]

gracias por la guia

[@Andyhutchinson]

No hay problema, me alegro que haya sido útil.

[@Measuretwicelad]

What a well presented video pal, liked and subscribed, regards novice RePL operator from the Pilbara region of WA👍

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thank you very much!

[@ollymuns5836]

Very good vid Andy. Love the content and the delivery appeals to my pommie humour. As a new recreational drone owner it has been somewhat onerous finding the facts about registering drones over 250gms. From what i can gather from your vid and the wish washy CASA website, there no need to register yet. I look forward to more drone content but cant wait to catch up on your photography content too. Excellent stuff.

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries - yes no need to register at this stage. :)

[@brendanmercer3361]

Great informative video, but you havent including anything about the power restrictions on radio transmitters

[@davidbrown2068]

Thanks Andy. This is a great video. Quick question. I know you can’t take off or land in a National Park. Do you think hand take off and capture is within the NP?

[@chadgilmore5046]

Thanks for this video I like your sarcasm about some of the stupid rules that are made by CASA

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks - they are frustrating. :)

[@TechnoMonkeyFarm]

From what you said it's pointless buying an FPV Drone in Oz? The new Avata 2 looks interesting..

[@Andyhutchinson]

There's two ways of looking at it. If you take the attitude that you only want to do what is legal, then yes - it is completely pointless buying an Avata 2 in Australia. If you take the attitude that the ban on FPV drones is stupid (which it is) and you're just going to buy one and fly it anyway then that's an option many people have taken. When CASA decided to have a little clamp-down on drones being flown in 'populated' (their term) areas they did some high profile prosecutions - the bunnings snag guy and the santa parade guy. It wouldn't surprise me if they did the same with FPVs - pick some sitting targets - people who upload obviously FPV footage to KZbin and prosecute them. The other issue of course is that since you can't fly them legally - you can't really use them in a commercial setting because they would negate a company's insurance.

[@TechnoMonkeyFarm]

@@Andyhutchinson I prefer the FPV style of recording as it's more natural, that is, as a bird or one of my lucid dreams.. haha. Maybe the laws could change in the future and allow FPV. Could they track me using it unregistered?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea I love it too. Ridiculous law really - everywhere else you're just required to have a spotter with you, but here the law is that it always has to be in visual line of sight.

[@harrys_wanderlust]

I'll visit Brisbane and surroundings in april and may for visiting my relatives and just see the beauty of the area. I don't make any money out of my hobby, so I'm just an recreational drone pilot and will just bring my DJI-Mini3Pro with me to get some videos and shots. I already got myself some links for an app for the no-fly-zones and your video helped me a lot being sure to comply to all rules. I always take a lot of care when flying on my travels. Can't count by now in how many countries I'm registered now, so it's nice to for once have it a bit more simple. Thanks a lot for your video! Have a great day! :)

[@Andyhutchinson]

Glad it could help and happy flying :)

[@Lahlan]

FPV is the way, Open source and cooler looking footage.

[@wayneramm7288]

Hey Andy A polished performance as per usual . Mate can I ask what the other site was you mentioned Ok To Fly but I missed the second site please Cheers Wayne

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks - it was this: fly.ylobe.com

[@mypointofview444]

Hi Andy, thanks for the info, just wondering if you can do a video on ND Filters and when and how to use them on drones. Thanks

[@Andyhutchinson]

Soon as I replace my bloated Mavic 2 Pro batteries I will see what I can do :)

[@mypointofview444]

@Andyhutchinson Thank you very much Andy, will be much appreciated 👍

[@dougdog7571]

Thanks Andy for your humorist delivery of your update. Well done. I was confused regarding your comment relating to national parks airspace. Are you saying as long as the drone doesn’t touch the ground you are allowed to fly your drone. So to take to the extreme , is possible you can hand launch a drone?

[@Andyhutchinson]

As long as you don't launch or land the drone in the national park, there is absolutely nothing that National Parks, Crown Parks or any local authority can do to stop you from flying your drone there. But not - hand launching is still launching within the park.

[@maqco]

This is a masterclass!! Particularly for me that I am based in Bomaderry, also in the Shoalhaven close to where you live. The restricted airspace here is a bit of a pain. I am still not sure if I can fly my drone in places like Jervis Bay or Beecroft Peninsula. Would you know by any chance?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Beecroft's a grey area. I flew there once and the security guard approached me - thought I was going to get told off, but he just wanted to see what was on the screen. Plenty of shots taken at Point Perp, Honeymoon etc. I think basically they don't encourage it - but they won't actively stop you either. In any case - I've flown there on several occasions without issue or blowback. :)

[@xDeeKayHD]

Hi Andy great video and very informative. Do you have a link to the specific legislation that pertains to flying in airspace over private property? I’d like to read more about it and particularly the wording used. Cheers

[@Andyhutchinson]

It's called the Part 101 legislation. www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2022C00594

[@xDeeKayHD]

@@AndyhutchinsonCheers!

[@Cc-ym8ss]

Hi i saw the monash uni don't allow to fly in campus unless pass something. Can i fly from public land inside campus legally.

[@lonceyswildcairns333]

Hi Andy how are you, are you related to the Bailey-Greens from Huddersfield England?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Not as far I'm aware, no. Sorry! :)

[@adamhenry5019]

Maybe a silly question mate, but is the RPA Operator accreditation different from the RPA Operator Certificate? Looking into getting licensed up to work commercially in the future and I was under the impression you needed to do a course and pay quiet a large fee to get a certificate to fly commercially! Cheers mate love the video

[@Andyhutchinson]

The RPA operator accreditation is a bit of a tick-and-flick test that means you're officially registered to fly commercially. Next step up from there is the the RePL (remote pilot's licence) which you won't need unless you're flying drones in a more serious business environment and which costs several thousand dollars to complete. For most people (doing real estate, light surveying, photos and videos) RPA operator accreditation is all you need.

[@adamhenry5019]

@@Andyhutchinson awesome thanks mate really appreciate that info

[@manoffaithministry]

I have a youtube channel that isnt monetised and want to use some of my own scenic footage in my videos, so am i only classified as commercial if and when my channel ever gets to monetised level? Thanks for your informative videos. I had a dji phantom and have a ARN with CASA but that was before the new rules and regs for smaller drones. I now have a mavic mini (249g) to do what i need. I tried to log in to mycasa portal and my ARN is still current but wont let me in until i create a digital id🥴, which hell can freeze over before i willingly do that 😁. As with everything in Australia, it will get regulated up the wazoo before long just like my other hobby/interest, shooting. Thanks again. Bryan

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yep - once you start earning money from it you're classed as commercial.

[@alexanderbrown3965]

Hello, do you know if DJI drones in Australia, specifically the Mini 4 Pro, adhere to the FCC standard and provide the same range as they do in the USA? I’ve encountered conflicting information online, and I’m aware that in regions like Europe, drones switch to CE standards, potentially limiting their range.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Sorry I don't. Best bet would be to contact one of the drone specialist shops like Rise Above. :)

[@stihl888]

Nice video mate. Couple of Q's if you don't mind. On the Parks Vic matter, if i were to launch my Drone from my vehicle or hand rather than from the 'ground' while on Parks Vic land is that considered a breach of their rules? Would flying over a Vic Roads road also be similar to flying over Parks Vic? Also what's your thoughts on flying over suburban backyards, the law is a little grey here in that CASA says you shouldn't because of their "populous place" rule however if i navigate the drone via clear yards (backyards etc) and roadways carrying minimal traffic my understanding is that it might be ok?

[@Andyhutchinson]

If you were on a public road then yes. It's the location of the car that's more important. The roads through the parks are Crown owned, nothing to do with parks. Flying over roads is fine if you meet the rules which is basically - if it fell out of the sky would it damage someone's property or hit someone. Backyards is the same deal. If it's likely you'll damage nothing then it's fair game - nobody controls the sky above their backyard.

[@stihl888]

@@Andyhutchinson Great, thanks for the clarification on this.

[@jeshurunhazelton7789]

N one last question which drones would u say are the quietest particularly between the mini four pro n the air three since i heard they're pretty quite

[@Andyhutchinson]

Not much between those - they had the upgraded tipped props on the Mini 4 though so it would probably edge it. :)

[@RogiReels]

Could you fly at night if you've done the RPA operator accreditation. Im looking to shoot a location shot for a short film at night wondering if this is possible at all? I dont mind paying th $40 or getting permit its really important.

[@Andyhutchinson]

No. No night flights on the little tick-and-flick RPA test. In order to fly at night you'd need to do the expensive full remote pilots licence (RePL) and then do an extra certification to fly at night. And then you'd have to lodge a flight plan for every time you flew at night with CASA and also get permission from whichever local authority you'd be flying the drone in. You can see why 'illegal' night flights are so popular, can't you.

[@jeshurunhazelton7789]

Hey andy on the website rules its not exactly clear n precise with certain paragraphs so im just wondering if im using my drone purely for fun n recreation do i need to register it get a licence or anything else even if its over twofifty grams cause im deciding between the mini four pro n the Mavic three classic n on the official website it says i dont needa registration if its for fun only n it doesn't specify the weight in the same paragraph it just used a blanket statement so just need clarity with that cheers mate

[@Andyhutchinson]

If it's just for fun - no rego required. :)

[@markcupitt216]

Hi Andy, Love the video content, it is brilliant. My son and I have recently purchased a DJI Mini 4 Pro. I want to video football practice which is within 5.5km of Sydney airport but not on a flight path. The OK2Fly app says it is restricted for recreational use but you quote the CASA regulations as saying if it is below 250 grams I am OK to use it? Can you clarify that I am good to go?

[@Andyhutchinson]

That is correct. 5.5km exclusion does not apply to sub-250g drones.

[@markcupitt216]

@@Andyhutchinson Thank you so much for the quick reply. Once again, I loved the content and sense of humour.

[@Andyhutchinson]

@@markcupitt216 no worries - have fun with the drone :)

[@Royce802]

Hi Andy. Hoping to Bring my Mini 3 Pro over from the UK next week. Do I need any registration etc to get through customs? 😊

[@Andyhutchinson]

Nope.

[@darylc4944]

Any issue passing the customs? I am coming nx week & bringing my mini 3 along.

[@blakealexbale]

I’m a cattle farmer on private land can I use a phantom 4 without getting into strife ?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Definitely.

[@clackersclarke4450]

awesome vid. Coming home for xmas and thinking of bringing my air 3. Still not sure it`s worth bringing. This is a quote from the national parks and wildlife S.A. Notice there is no preposition in, on, from over. Crafty wordmanship? " It is an offence to fly drones (remote­ly pilot­ed air­craft) South Australia’s nation­al parks, con­ser­va­tion parks, game reserves, recre­ation parks or region­al reserves and marine park restrict­ed access zones with­out a per­mit. Per­mits are con­sid­ered for sci­en­tif­ic research and com­mer­cial film­ing only."

[@Andyhutchinson]

All the national parks talk a tough game on their websites, but certainly here in NSW it's not enforced. The language you quoted is very similar to that on parks in this state. Not sure how parks SA are, but I'd ask around. Maybe check out Flickr and look for aerial shots taken in the parks there - maybe flick a message to the person that took them. Failing all that you can of course take off from public land (roads etc) and fly over any park-land because they have no jurisdiction over the skies. :)

[@subbers5246]

Do you ever see a rule change where recreational outdoor FPV becomes legal in australia? Without going through a club and such

[@Andyhutchinson]

I'd love to say yes but actually the opposite is probably going to happen and the rules will become more stringent. That has been the way it's gone for the last decade. Sorry.

[@mjpt57]

Oh, you say that drone rego has been paused? My Air 2S rego expired last month. I'm only getting around to renewing it. However, I never received any renewal notices and when I just logged into the CASA website it shows no drones registered under my name or CASA number (or whatever it's called). OK, so I have to start again, I thought. I began the rego process. Said that it's a DJI and then opened the list of models. However, the Air 2S isn't listed there. Heaps of models, none of which that I've heard of are shown.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Depends if you're flying commercially or not. If you're just flying for fun then there is no rego. If you are flying commercially then I think you can add drones as 'other' if they're not in the list. I'd reach out to CASA directly if you're having dramas since all those rego fees must surely go towards administrative staff to assist with this kind of thing :)

[@mjpt57]

@@Andyhutchinson thanks Andy. I'm a hobbyist. Got the Air 2S as a father's day prezzie last year. It's complementing my other retirement hobby - photography. So, if I don't have to register it (well, for the time being, anyway), then good. Anyway, thanks again for the channel. Great content, even if a lot of it goes "whoosh" over my head. My favorite stuff are hardware and software reviews, gear reviews, etc. I bought that fancy-dancy backpack that you reviewed a while back. Wore it across most of the US back in July. Comfortable.

[@mjpt57]

@@Andyhutchinson update: I did register the drone. Found it. The Air 2S is called a "Mavic Air 2S" in the list of DJI drones. I rego'ed it in case an opportunity for a paid gig comes up. Have to supplement the retirement income somehow, eh?

[@bhouse92101]

I plan on visiting Australia in a few months from the USA and I plan on taking my DJI Air 3. Are the recreational rules the same for foreigners? Just follow the basic "don't be an idiot" rules?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yep same rules apply to tourists as to locals. Part 101 regulations.

[@daveowens7218]

Hi If I bought a dji mini pro 4 under 250 grams could I gly it on an Adelaide beach if no one else was there early in the morning or any beach with no people

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yes. And yes.

[@daveowens7218]

@Andyhutchinson thanks that's 👍 great to be able to fly on adelaide beaches with no one there thanks

[@JackJack-kw6yb]

to fly fpv outside is there legally something I can apply to so i can do that?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea. You'd need to get a full RePL (remote pilot's licence) and then add the BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) rating. You would then be able to submit a flight plan for approval of beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights. I have been told by pro drone pilots that approval is far from guaranteed - so even if you went to all the trouble and expense of getting legal, there's still no guarantee you'd be able to fly FPV outdoors.

[@deathsquad8658]

Hi I am planning to buy DJI MINI 4 PRO with intelligent flight plus batteries just for longer run time. I will use it for recreational activities and I am soooo confused do I need to register or need a licence or anything before flying it as it will go over 250 grams with those batteries 🥺. Please help me!

[@Andyhutchinson]

You don't need a licence or to register it. :)

[@haylendale932]

@@Andyhutchinson Hi Andy, great video, I’m looking to get the mini 4 pro, using it recreationally in the beginning. But commercially in the future. Do I need to register it as a business before the first flight or only once I plan to sell photos etc apply for an organisation ARN? Cheers

[@bigfoot3322]

When i look on the Ok2fly app, When i click on a red zone it says "Control Tower Active - No drones to be flown within 5.5KM of controlled airports" But then when i read the regulations for sub 250gram drones from CASA it says "Micro RPA may be operated in controlled airspace, including within 5.5 km (3 NM) of a controlled aerodrome" So i am confused.

[@Andyhutchinson]

OK2fly can't differentiate between types of drone so it just gives the basic 5.5km exclusion zone information. The regulations are correct and you *can* fly a sub-250g drone within that 5.5km exclusive zone as long as you steer clear of runways, flight paths and airport boundaries.

[@manoffaithministry]

@Andyhutchinson My house is right in the approach path for the local regional airport so i wont fly my 249g drone at home but there is someone very local to me, dont know who, that flys their drone at night and at a fairly high level. Stupid cobsidering we get the RACQ lifeflight chopper often passing over on missions and at low alt because the base is only about 2 km away. ​

[@chuckmaddison2924]

If the owner of the land doesn't control the sir space, I assume you can hand launch.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea if you do it from a public location and not their land.

[@timpearson1154]

who are some good aussies to follow for drone flyers

[@Andyhutchinson]

Honestly - I don't know - most of the ones I follow are adventure/photo bloggers who use them for video-making rather than just the fun of flying. :)

[@timpearson1154]

thats fine @@Andyhutchinson

[@3goldfinger]

I would like to see the people who make and uphold the laws and rules, come out and personally demonstrate the 30m rule. They have to fly a drone to 30m of a building or people, NOT 29 or 31 meter, 30 meters on the dot, otherwise you will create a grey zone. If they can do 100/100, all good, if not, scrap the law/rule. Most stupid rule of them all. A 10 ton truck can pass you at 2m on the road, but not classed as dangerous as a 250g drone.

[@Andyhutchinson]

lol - spot on.

[@brucehutchings]

Is being a schools IT guy and using your drone on a schools sports day classed as commercial? Yes getting paid as the iT guy.

[@Andyhutchinson]

If you're there in an official capacity then I'd say it was probably commercial. If you're just doing the sports teacher a solid in an unofficial capacity then not. But if the school benefits from it then they'd should be paying your $40 rego, I reckon. :)

[@edwardfletcher7790]

I don't know how you could even use a drone at a school with the 30m person distance & 5.5km airport rule. Then there's the likelihood of Karen's & litigious parents...🙁

[@TheVeneco]

Karen scan 😂😂

[@Andyhutchinson]

Gotta be done :)

[@mirogabrovski5651]

Spoke so much but said so little.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Hey everyone, I found the edge-lord ...

[@4kHDR.DAQUAN]

Look at this person's drone, flying over central Sydney without any scruples, it's already against the rules. Such a flight may bring serious hidden dangers to our aviation safety. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5zFi3mPlJaYoZI

[@Andyhutchinson]

Woah! Could end up getting a humungous fine for that one!