How to get your RePL

Getting a Drone License in Australia (RePL)

Step-by-step from No Aviation Experience to License Issued

Authority: Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Regulation: CASR Part 101

Simple Flow (No Aviation Experience to License Issued)

1️⃣ Create CASA account

2️⃣ Apply for ARN

3️⃣ Enrol with CASA-approved training provider

4️⃣ Complete theory training

5️⃣ Pass theory exam

6️⃣ Complete practical flight training

7️⃣ Perform site hazard assessment (JSA)

8️⃣ Pass practical flight assessment

9️⃣ Training provider submits license application

🔟 CASA issues RePL

Official CASA page:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/remote-pilot-licence/get-your-remote-pilot-licence

A Remote Pilot License is the license required to fly drones commercially in Australia.

It is essentially a driver license for flying drones for work.

You need this license if you want to:

• fly drones for a business
• fly larger drones
• work as a professional drone pilot

STEP 1 – Create a CASA account

The first step is creating an account with CASA.

Website:
https://my.casa.gov.au

Steps:

1. Go to the website
2. Click Create account
3. Enter your name, email and password

This system is called myCASA.

It is where aviation licenses, applications and pilot records are managed.

Think of it like Service NSW, but for aviation licenses.

STEP 2 – Apply for an ARN (Aviation Reference Number)

Next the student must obtain an ARN.

ARN stands for Aviation Reference Number.

This is simply CASA’s identification number for a person involved in aviation.

Every pilot in Australia has one.

Steps:

1. Log into myCASA
2. Select Apply for ARN
3. Enter your personal details
4. Submit the application

CASA then issues the ARN.

Example:

ARN: 1234567

This number will be used for all aviation training and licenses.

Information:
https://www.casa.gov.au/resources-and-education/our-systems/mycasa-portal/how-you-can-use-mycasa

STEP 3 – Enroll with a CASA-approved drone training provider

To obtain a RePL you must complete training through a CASA-approved training organisation.

Individuals cannot apply for the license without completing this training.

These organisations are approved by CASA to teach and assess remote pilots.

Information:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/remote-pilot-licence/get-your-remote-pilot-licence

STEP 4 – Complete the theory training

Students must complete formal classroom training before they can fly.

CASA guidance requires at least 15 hours of theory instruction.

This usually takes about 2–3 days.

Training may be:

• classroom based
• online
• or a combination of both

Topics covered during theory training

Students learn the knowledge required to operate drones safely.

Main topics include:

Drone laws
Students learn the rules contained in CASR Part 101, including flight limits and operational restrictions.

Airspace
Students learn how the sky is divided into different areas used by aircraft and where drones are permitted to operate.

Weather
Students learn how wind, rain and visibility affect drone operations.

Human factors
Students learn how human behavior such as fatigue or rushing can lead to mistakes.

Drone systems
Students learn how drones function, including batteries, GPS systems and safety features.

STEP 5 – Pass the theory exam

After completing theory training the student must pass a written exam.

This exam is usually:

• multiple choice
• completed on a computer

Students must pass this exam before continuing to the practical training.

Information:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/remote-pilot-licence/get-your-remote-pilot-licence

STEP 6 – Practical flight training

After theory, students begin hands-on drone flying training.

This normally takes about two days.

Training includes:

• pre-flight inspections
• safe take-off and landing
• hovering and controlled flight
• directional flying
• emergency procedures

CASA minimum flying requirement

CASA requires students to log at least 5 hours of drone flight time during training.

Important points:

• this must be real drone flight time
• it must be recorded in a flight logbook
• it must occur during supervised training

Many courses provide more than 5 hours, but 5 hours is the minimum requirement.

STEP 7 – Site hazard assessment (Job Safety Analysis)

Before flying at any location, the pilot must assess the actual environment they will operate in.

A common tool used for this is a JSA (Job Safety Analysis).

A JSA is not a generic checklist.

It is a site-specific risk assessment performed by the pilot.

The pilot must:

1. Observe the operating area
2. Identify hazards
3. Assess the risks
4. Decide how to reduce or control those risks

This process forms part of safe operational planning.

Examples of hazards a pilot might identify

Examples may include:

• power lines
• buildings or structures
• cranes
• trees
• nearby people
• road traffic
• helicopters or aircraft
• strong wind

Risk mitigation

After identifying hazards, the pilot must implement risk controls.

Mitigation simply means reducing the danger to an acceptable level.

Example controls may include:

• establishing a safety buffer from power lines
• creating an exclusion zone for people
• using an observer to watch the airspace
• delaying the flight due to wind conditions

Students learn this process during training.

STEP 8 – Practical flight assessment

Once training is complete, the instructor conducts a practical flight test.

This is similar to a driving test for a car licence.

The student must demonstrate:

• safe drone control
• correct operating procedures
• hazard awareness
• emergency responses

The student must pass this assessment to complete the course.

STEP 9 – Training provider submits the license application

If the student passes the theory exam and the flight assessment, the training provider submits the license application to CASA.

Students normally do not submit this application themselves.

Information:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/remote-pilot-licence/get-your-remote-pilot-licence

STEP 10 – CASA issues the license

CASA reviews the application.

Once approved, the Remote Pilot License (RePL) appears in the student’s myCASA account.

The pilot can then:

• download the license
• print it
• store it digitally

Final result

The student now holds a Remote Pilot License (RePL).

This allows them to:

• fly drones commercially
• work as a remote pilot
• operate drones for businesses

Often this is done under a company that holds a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (ReOC).

Typical training timeline

Day 1 – Theory training
Day 2 – Theory training
Day 3 – Theory and exam
Day 4 – Practical flight training
Day 5 – Flight training and flight test

Minimum CASA requirements within this course:

• 15 hours of theory training
• 5 hours of logged drone flight time

Start: No aviation experience
End: Licensed commercial drone pilot

© 2025 Drones For Hire. All rights reserved.

This article may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author or publisher, except in the case of brief quotations used for review or scholarly purposes.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the content, readers should consult with qualified experts or local authorities before making decisions related to agricultural drone use, regulations, or investments.

<< Back to Articles