Australia's drone rules are evolving. The 2024 OONP (Operational Operational Normative Procedures) overhaul introduced sweeping changes—some beneficial, others more restrictive. This guide cuts through regulatory jargon and explains what's changed, what stays the same, and what it means for your ReOC operations in 2026.
Piyo: "I heard CASA changed the rules. Can I still fly at 120m altitude?"
Moo: "The 120m altitude limit stays—for VLOS operations in Class G airspace. But OONP introduced new restrictions on flights over people, new airspace classifications, and stricter maintenance intervals. It's not a flat relaxation or restriction; it's nuanced."
The 2024 OONP Update: What Changed?
In late 2024, CASA introduced Notice of Proposed Amendment 1001AS, which reformed drone operations starting January 2025. Here's the changelog:
Changes That Favor Operators ✅
- Extended Flight Duration Rules
- Before: RPA battery must land at 20% battery
- After: RPA can descend to 10% battery (if within safe landing zone)
- Impact: +5–10% operational time per battery
- Simplified VLOS Airspace
- Before: Complex airspace layer analysis required
- After: Class G airspace (below 1,000 ft AGL) simplified; fewer restrictions
- Impact: Easier mission planning, fewer NOTAM conflicts
- Equipment Flexibility
- Before: Only CASA-approved sensors permitted
- After: Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment allowed if safety equivalent
- Impact: Cheaper sensor upgrades, faster innovation adoption
Changes That Tighten Rules ⚠️
- OONP (Operational Over Non-Populated) Changes
- Before: OONP flights allowed up to 50m above ground over non-populated areas
- After: OONP flights now require more rigorous risk assessment and documented airspace coordination
- Impact: OONP flights take longer to plan, need more documentation
- Night Operations Restrictions
- Before: Night flights (civil twilight) allowed with ReOC + spotter
- After: Night flights now require explicit OONP endorsement on ReOC
- Impact: Solo operators need additional certification; higher insurance premiums
- Maintenance Intervals Tightened
- Before: 100-hour services; 5-year airframe limit
- After: 50-hour services; 2,000-hour lifetime limit per airframe
- Impact: More frequent downtime, higher maintenance costs
- Crew Duty Limits
- Before: No explicit hour limits for RPA operators
- After: ReOC holders limited to 8 flight hours/day, 40 hours/week
- Impact: Large survey companies need bigger teams
Poppo: "The OONP changes are the biggest shift. Previously, 'non-populated area' was loosely defined. Now CASA requires you to document population density, nearest dwellings, evacuation zones. It's more work upfront, but safer operations overall."
Core Rules You Must Know (CASR Part 101)
1. Altitude Limits
| Scenario | Altitude Limit | Airspace Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLOS, daylight, Class G | 120m AGL | G | Standard commercial |
| VLOS, near airport (<5km) | 60m AGL | E/D/C | Reduced clearance |
| OONP, non-populated | 50m AGL | G | Requires documented risk assessment |
| BVLOS (with spotter) | 500m AGL | G/E | Spotter required, airspace coordination |
| Night operations | 50m AGL | G | Requires OONP + Night endorsement |
2. Airspace Classification (Class A–G)
Australia uses Class A–G airspace, mirroring international standards:
| Class | Type | Altitude | Commercial Drones | ReOC Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Controlled (major cities) | Surface–25,000 ft | Prohibited | Yes (not recommended) |
| B | Controlled (major airports) | Surface–18,000 ft | Requires ATC clearance | Yes, with ATC |
| C | Controlled (regional airports) | Surface–4,000 ft | Requires ATC clearance | Yes, with ATC |
| D | Controlled (small airports) | Surface–2,500 ft | Requires NOTAM/ATC | Yes, with coordination |
| E | Controlled (high-altitude VFR) | 10,000 ft–surface (varied) | Requires coordination | Yes, with NOTAM |
| F | Uncontrolled (transition zones) | Varied | Often allowed VLOS | Yes |
| G | Uncontrolled (rural/remote) | Surface–1,200 ft | Fully allowed | Yes |
3. Distance Rules
| Rule | Requirement | Exception |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal separation from people | Minimum 30m (unless under shelter/inside building) | Can land closer in emergency |
| Separation from manned aircraft | Maintain separation of ≥1.5 km horizontally | Coordinated ops with ATC |
| Distance from property | Minimum 50m from non-operator property | Private property consent waives |
Moo: "The 30m rule trips up operators. If a spectator walks within 30m during flight, you must land immediately. No exceptions. This is why confined area operations need clear briefings and barriers."
4. Weather Minimums
| Condition | CASA Standard | Your Operations Manual |
|---|---|---|
| Wind speed | Max 10 m/s (36 km/h) | Can be stricter |
| Visibility | Minimum 5 km for VLOS | Document your minimums |
| Precipitation | No rain, hail, or snow | Consider dust/salt spray |
| Ceiling | No ceiling minimum (but stay below 120m AGL) | Document decision logic |
5. People & Population Rules
Before 2024: Vague definitions. "Reasonable distance" was subjective. After OONP 2025: Explicit population density requirements:| Area Type | Population Density | ReOC Required | Approval Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparsely populated | <5 people/km² | Yes | CASA letter of approval |
| Lightly populated | 5–25 people/km² | Yes | Risk assessment required |
| Moderately populated | 25–100 people/km² | Yes | Full risk assessment + airspace coordination |
| Urban/high-density | >100 people/km² | Yes | Typically prohibited for VLOS |
6. Incident Reporting Obligations
| Incident Type | Report to CASA | Timeline | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft damaged, still flyable | No | N/A | None |
| Injury to person (minor) | Yes | 10 days | CA-4 Incident Report |
| Injury to person (serious) | Yes | 10 days + daily updates | CA-4 + incident investigation |
| Fatality | Yes | Immediately (2 hours) | CA-4 + full investigation |
| Airspace breach | Yes | 10 days | CA-4 + explanation |
| Near-miss with manned aircraft | Yes | 10 days | CA-4 + ASRS filing |
Piyo: "If my drone crashes into an empty field, do I need to report it?"
Poppo: "Not if no one was injured and no property damaged. But if it was airspace breach (you flew beyond your 120m limit or near an airport) or caused property damage later discovered, you must report."
OONP in Depth: The 2026 Impact
OONP = Operational Over Non-Populated areas. It's the fast-track pathway for commercial ops.OONP Pre-Approval Process (2026 Timeline)
- Submission — Apply 20 days before intended flight
- Documentation — Risk assessment, airspace coordination, contingency plans
- CASA Review — 10 business days
- Approval/Denial — CASA issues letter or requests amendments (2–5 days for resubmission)
- Flight Conduct — Must match approved parameters exactly
OONP Approval Criteria (CASA's Checklist)
CASA will approve OONP if you demonstrate:
- ✅ Operational safety equivalent — Risk is as low as manned aircraft
- ✅ Pilot competence — ReOC + documented OONP training
- ✅ Emergency procedures — Detailed failsafe & recovery plans
- ✅ Airspace coordination — Airservices Australia approval (for E/D airspace)
- ✅ Public notification — NOTAMs issued, media/local authorities briefed (for major ops)
OONP Denial: Common Reasons
❌ Insufficient risk assessment ❌ Proximity to populated areas (<500m minimum distance required) ❌ Conflict with manned aircraft operations (e.g., flight path crosses approach to regional airport) ❌ Lack of pilot endorsement (need OONP-rated ReOC) ❌ No emergency contingency (e.g., "we'll just hope the aircraft doesn't fail")
Compliance Checklist: Are You Following 2026 Rules?
Before every flight:
- [ ] ReOC valid — Not expired
- [ ] Airspace check — NOTAM system consulted, no conflicts
- [ ] Altitude verification — Mission altitude ≤ regulatory limit for airspace class
- [ ] Distance check — People >30m away, property >50m away
- [ ] Weather assessment — Wind, visibility, precipitation acceptable
- [ ] Maintenance status — Aircraft within service intervals
- [ ] Insurance current — AUD $20M liability active
- [ ] Operations manual reviewed — Pilot briefed on procedures
- [ ] Flight plan documented — Date, time, location, purpose, pilot name
- [ ] Emergency plan — Loss of signal, battery fail procedures identified
FAQ
Q: Can I fly my drone over an urban area if I'm an experienced ReOC holder?A: No. VLOS in high-density areas is prohibited. You'd need OONP + ATC coordination, which is rarely approved in urban zones due to manned aircraft interference.
Q: What's the difference between CASR Part 101 and AC 21-57?A: CASR Part 101 is the law (regulation). AC 21-57 is CASA's guidance on how to comply. AC is more detailed but non-binding; CASR is binding.
Q: If CASA changes the rules mid-year, do I need to update my ReOC?A: You don't need to retest, but you must update your operations manual and begin compliance within 30 days of new rules.
Q: Can I fly beyond 120m if I have BVLOS endorsement?A: Yes, up to 500m AGL. But you need: visual observer, airspace coordination, documented risk assessment, spotter on-site.
Q: What happens if I violate a CASR rule unintentionally?A: Depends on severity. Minor breach (flew 5m beyond 120m limit): warning + operations manual update. Major breach (flew in Class C without clearance): ReOC suspension investigation.
Q: Are hobby drones exempt from these rules?A: Mostly. Hobby drones under 2kg in Class G can ignore many rules. But if you accept any payment (even "donation"), CASA reclassifies you as commercial—full ReOC required.
The Bottom Line
Australia's drone rules are among the world's strictest and most detailed. CASA isn't trying to make life hard—they're protecting airspace for manned aviation and people below. Compliance is achievable if you:
- Understand your airspace (Class A–G)
- Know your altitude limits (120m standard, 500m max)
- Respect distance rules (30m from people, 50m from property)
- Document everything (flights, maintenance, incidents)
- Follow OONP approval process for complex operations