Drone Registration in Australia: Who Needs It, Cost and How to Register

If you use a drone for business or as part of your job, you must register it with CASA, whatever its weight. That includes micro drones under 250 g. If you only fly for fun, you don’t need to register.

Registration is done online through myCASA. It takes a few minutes and lasts 12 months.

Who needs to register their drone?

You must register any drone used for business purposes or as part of your job. CASA’s examples include:

• selling aerial photos or videos
• inspecting industrial equipment, construction sites or infrastructure
• providing monitoring, surveillance or security services
• conducting research and development.

In short, if the flight isn’t for sport or recreation, the drone needs registering.

Who doesn’t need to register?

You don’t need to register a drone if:

• you only fly for sport or recreation, including at CASA-approved model airfields
• you don’t intend to fly it
• you’re a commercial drone repairer or manufacturer. You still need to keep records.

How much does registration cost?

Registration is valid for 12 months, so the levy applies again each time you renew.

What you need before you register

• You must be 16 or older.
• A myCASA account. You can log in with a Digital Identity.
• An aviation reference number (ARN).
• Proof of identity, such as an Australian passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate, an ImmiCard or a foreign passport.
• Your drone’s make, model, serial number, weight and type.

For businesses: set up an organisation ARN rather than registering drones under one person’s name. That way, others in the business can manage your drones, and you aren’t stuck when the person who registered them leaves.

How to register your drone in myCASA

1. Log in to myCASA with your Digital Identity or existing account.
2. Apply for an ARN or link your existing one. If you’re registering for a business, use an organisation ARN.
3. Enter your personal details and submit your ID.
4. Choose the account to register the drone under, individual or organisation.
5. Select “Drone registration”, then “Begin drone registration”.
6. Pick your drone’s manufacturer and model. If it isn’t listed, choose “other manufacturer” or “home built” and enter the details yourself.
7. Enter the serial number and the other drone details.
8. Add more drones with “Add Drone” if you’re registering a fleet.
9. Review the summary, accept the declaration and pay any levy due.

Renewing, updating and deregistering

Registration lasts 12 months, and you renew it through myCASA. Keep your details current. If you sell a drone, or it’s lost, destroyed or no longer used for work, deregister it in myCASA so it isn’t tied to your account.

Registration isn’t the only requirement

Registering the drone covers the aircraft. Before you fly commercially, you also need operator accreditation or a remote pilot licence (RePL), depending on the drone’s weight and how you’ll fly it. Our guide to drone laws in Australia explains which one applies to you. For larger operations, see our guide to RePL and ReOC licensing.

Penalties

Flying an unregistered drone for business or your job can lead to a fine of up to $18,200. You may be asked to show your certificate of registration to CASA or to federal, state or territory police, so keep it easy to find.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register my drone if I only fly for fun?
No. Recreational flying doesn’t require registration.

Do I need to register a drone under 250 g?
Only if you use it for work. Commercial use requires registration whatever the weight, but drones of 500 g or less are free to register.

How long does registration last?
12 months. You renew it through myCASA.

Can someone else in my business manage our drone registrations?
Yes, if you register under an organisation ARN rather than an individual one.

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