Total RPA
CASA-delegated training under an instrument of delegation for RPAS regulatory services, covering RePL and ReOC.
Visit website ↗These schools train drone pilots in Australia, from first flights to commercial work. Programs, schedules, and pricing change often, so contact each school directly for current details.
The credential is called a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), issued to an individual and valid for life once earned. Pilots train through a CASA-approved RPAS Training Organisation, which covers the required theory and practical assessment; pilots who already hold a Part 61 pilot licence can have some common theory components waived. A business operating drones for commercial clients typically also needs a Remote Operator's Certificate (ReOC), issued to a person or a company, which requires an approved operations manual and CASA review, unless the business flies under another operator's ReOC.
Flying in controlled airspace requires an additional Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate.
Civil drone operation in Australia is regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under a tiered weight and risk framework. Drones under 2 kilograms flown for commercial purposes fall into an excluded category that needs no formal licence, just operator accreditation (for pilots 16 and older, with adult supervision required under 16) and drone registration. Heavier commercial operations generally need a Remote Pilot Licence, earned through a CASA-approved training organisation.
A business flying for others typically also needs its own Remote Operator's Certificate, unless it operates under someone else's certificate. Every drone over 250 grams must be registered through myCASA regardless of use, and any drone flown for business is registered regardless of weight.
This page is for general orientation and may not reflect the latest regulatory changes. It is not legal advice: confirm current rules, fees, and permitted zones with your country's civil aviation authority before you fly.
A listing in this directory is not an endorsement, accreditation, or certification of any school, and does not indicate affiliation with or vetting by us. Confirm a school's credentials and authorizations directly with the school and the relevant authority.
There is no published price list for getting certified in Australia, because the two costs work differently. The remote pilot licence is trained and assessed by a certified training provider, which sets its own course price and applies to CASA on your behalf once you pass. The operator's certificate is charged by CASA at an hourly rate rather than a flat fee.
For a ReOC, CASA sends you an estimate once it receives your application. That estimate is valid for 30 days, and the work has to be paid for before the certificate is issued. If the final charge exceeds the estimate, CASA issues a revised estimate that must also be paid first. Time spent on a withdrawn or refused application is still charged.
| RePL training course | Set by the training provider | Not set by CASA |
| ReOC application | No flat fee. CASA sends an estimate, valid 30 days | Hourly rate service |
| CASA hourly rate, senior or specialist officer | 190 | |
| CASA hourly rate, other technical services | 160 | |
| CASA hourly rate, mostly administrative | 100 or 130 | |
| Domestic travel | Travel time charged at the hourly rate | Airfares and accommodation not recovered |
| International travel | Costs recovered in full | |
| Withdrawn or refused application | Charged for time spent |
No. CASA states there is no minimum age to get a RePL.
No. CASA states a RePL does not expire.
Not in every case. Micro drones of 250 g or less and the excluded categories can be flown for business with operator accreditation instead. You need a RePL to fly as a remote pilot for a business holding a ReOC, or to fly a drone between 25 kg and 150 kg over your own land.
There is no flat fee. CASA charges it as an hourly rate service and sends an estimate when it receives the application, valid for 30 days. The hourly rates are 190 dollars for services requiring a senior or specialist officer, 160 dollars for other technical services, and 100 or 130 dollars for mostly administrative work.
Yes, an aeronautical radio operators licence, which lets you broadcast on the VHF aviation frequency.
Your licence shows the type and weight category you can fly: under 7 kg, under 25 kg, under 150 kg with type-specific ratings, and above 150 kg with type-specific ratings.
CASA-delegated training under an instrument of delegation for RPAS regulatory services, covering RePL and ReOC.
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CASA-certified RePL, AROC, and ReOC training with 4,000+ graduates, plus a Certificate III in Aviation.
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CASA-accredited RePL training plus a Certificate III in Aviation.
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Australia's longest-running drone school, operating since 2006, CASA-approved for RePL and ReOC.
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A CASA-certified drone training provider offering Remote Pilot Licence training up to 25kg across multi-rotor, aeroplane, helicopter, and powered-lift categories, Australia-wide.
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Delivers CASA-certified drone pilot training and certification courses for commercial and recreational operators.
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A CASA-certified RePL training organisation delivering drone pilot licensing and enterprise RPAS training, established 2012.
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Delivers CASA-certified Remote Pilot Licence training through online learning modules combined with in-person practical instruction.
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Offers a CASA RePL-aligned Remote Pilot course and a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) for careers in the drone industry.
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A CASA-approved drone training provider offering RePL, AROC, and ReOC courses.
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In-person drone operator training across six Australian cities with courses covering corporate operations, BVLOS flights, and powered-lift configurations.
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In-person drone flight training courses from beginner through advanced levels; includes agricultural operations and specialized multicategory flying; online theory option.
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Tier 1 drone training provider offering drone licensing, operational training, and consulting services for Australian clients.
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Drone and remote aircraft systems training for schools, commercial operations, and defence personnel, delivered face-to-face, online, or hybrid.
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Drone flight training on DJI Phantom 4 in 5-day intensive and 2-3 week formats for commercial operators, including chief pilot and weight-class upgrades.
Visit website ↗Nebli gives your clients a live view of every flight you fly for them. One link in the browser, nothing to install.
If you run a drone training program anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, we would like to include it. Send us the school name, website, and a short description; listing is free.
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