How to fly drones at night in Australia

Flying drones at night opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. From city skylines glowing with lights to atmospheric shots of events, night flying can take your aerial footage to the next level. But in Australia, you can’t just head out after dark and start flying — there are strict rules set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that you need to follow.

Here’s a simple guide to what’s required if you want to fly drones at night.

Why Night Flying is Different

CASA’s standard drone rules are designed around daylight flying. Flying after sunset brings added risks — reduced visibility, potential difficulty spotting obstacles, and a greater chance of losing orientation. Because of this, special approvals are required before you can legally fly a drone at night.

What You’ll Need to Fly at Night

To fly drones commercially at night in Australia, you’ll need two things:

1. A Remote Pilot Licence (RePL)
If you’re operating drones for business and want to fly at night, you must hold a Remote Pilot Licence. This involves training through a CASA-approved provider covering both theory and practical flying.

2. A Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) with Night Approval
If you’re running your own drone business, your ReOC must specifically include night operations in its privileges. This means submitting the right procedures to CASA, such as how you’ll conduct safety checks, manage lighting, and ensure visibility during flights.

Safety Requirements for Night Flying

Even with approval, there are strict safety requirements you must follow when flying after dark:

• Your drone must have bright anti-collision and navigation lights visible from at least 3 kilometres away.

• You must maintain visual line of sight at all times.

• The area you’re flying in needs to be properly assessed for obstacles, hazards, and people.

• As always, you must stay under 120 metres, keep clear of airports, and remain at least 30 metres away from people.

Why Hire Professionals for Night Work

Flying at night can produce incredible results, but it’s also higher risk and heavily regulated. That’s why many businesses turn to licensed operators with night approvals already in place.

At Enclave Media, our team is CASA-certified and experienced in safe night operations. From creative night-time cinematography to practical tasks like construction or site documentation, we take care of the approvals, lighting requirements, and risk management so you get stunning results without the stress.

Final Thoughts

Flying drones at night in Australia isn’t something you can do without preparation. You’ll need the right licence, the right approvals, and the right procedures in place to stay legal and safe.

If you’re looking to capture the unique beauty of night-time aerial footage without the hassle of approvals and safety planning, reach out to Enclave Media. We’ll handle everything while you enjoy the results.