There are many laws to know about flying a drone.
How high can I fly my drone?
You must not fly your drone higher than 120 meters above ground level. Keep your drone at least 30 meters away from other people.
Always maintain visual line-of-sight. This means being able to see the drone directly with your own eyes, not through a device or goggles.
What areas can’t I fly my drone?
Do not fly over or near areas affecting public safety or where emergency operations (such as car crashes, police actions, fires, or search and rescue) are underway.
Do not fly your drone over people or in built-up areas, including areas like beaches, parks, events, or sports ovals during games. You should not record or photograph people if they haven’t told you that they are okay about that.
You should avoid flying your drone through cloud or fog.
Can I fly a drone near an airport?
If your drone weighs more than 250 grams, you must fly your drone at least 5.5 kms away from controlled airports – that’s an airport with a control tower.
If near a helicopter landing site or smaller aerodrome without a control tower, you can fly your drone within 5.5 kilometers.
If you become aware of crewed aircraft nearby, maneuver away and land your drone safely.
What if I use my drone for work or for making money?
If you are flying your drone for commercial work, additional rules apply, including registration and licensing requirements.
Note also that if you are taking video or photos using a drone in national parks and using the footage for financial gain (such as through uploading to YouTube and receiving income through advertising) you may need to first get a license.
Where can I report illegal drone flying?
If you witness someone breaking the rules, you can report it to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Fines of up to $1,565 per offense can be issued, and court-imposed fines can reach up to $15,650.