A Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) is a formal qualification issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 101 that certifies an individual is competent to operate a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in Australian airspace for commercial or other non-excluded purposes. It is one of the two core credentials — alongside the ReOC (Remote Operator’s Certificate) — required for commercial drone operations in Australia.
What Is a RePL? #
A RePL is issued by CASA and is held by the individual drone pilot. It is separate from the organisation-level ReOC, which is held by the operator (company or entity responsible for the operation). In simple terms: the RePL certifies the person, the ReOC certifies the operation.
To lawfully conduct commercial RPA operations that fall outside the Excluded Category (i.e., operations involving aircraft 2 kg MTOW or heavier, or operations that do not meet all Excluded Category conditions), both a valid RePL and a ReOC are generally required.
Who Needs a RePL? #
You need a RePL if you are:
- Flying commercially with an RPA of 2 kg MTOW or above
- Flying commercially in a way that does not meet all Excluded Category conditions (e.g., flying over people, within restricted airspace, or at night)
- Employed or contracted as a pilot under a company’s ReOC
Recreational flyers and operators conducting Excluded Category operations do not require a RePL, provided all Excluded Category conditions are met.
How to Obtain a RePL #
RePL training must be completed through a CASA-approved training provider (also known as a certificated training organisation, or CTO). The process typically involves:
- Aeronautical knowledge training: Covering Australian aviation law, airspace, meteorology, navigation, and RPA operations theory.
- Practical flight training: Hands-on operation of an RPA, assessed against CASA competency standards.
- Knowledge and skills assessment: Written examination and practical flight test administered by the training provider or a CASA delegate.
- CASA application: Upon successful completion, the training provider submits documentation to CASA, who then issues the RePL to the applicant.
RePL Ratings and Endorsements #
A RePL can carry different ratings depending on the aircraft category and operation type. Common ratings include:
- Multi-rotor (MR): For multicopter-type drones
- Fixed-wing (FW): For fixed-wing RPA
- Helicopter (H): For single-rotor helicopter RPA
Additional endorsements may be required for specific operations such as BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) or night operations, which typically require further training and CASA approval through the ReOC framework.
Maintaining a RePL #
RePL holders must maintain recency of experience to keep their licence current. CASA specifies minimum flight hour requirements within defined periods. Failure to maintain recency may require recurrent training or revalidation before resuming commercial operations.
RePL vs ReOC #
| Feature | RePL | ReOC |
|---|---|---|
| Held by | Individual pilot | Organisation or operator |
| Certifies | Pilot competency | Operating procedures & safety |
| Issued by | CASA | CASA |
| Required for | Flying commercially (non-excluded) | Running a commercial drone business (non-excluded) |
Regulatory Reference #
RePL requirements are governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), Part 101 — Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets. Relevant sections include Subpart 101.F covering licensing and certification requirements.
Always verify current regulations with CASA directly at www.casa.gov.au. Regulations may change and this entry reflects the framework as documented by CASA at the time of publication.