How to Fly FPV Drones Legally in Australia

Flying FPV (First-Person View) drones is one of the most exciting ways to experience flight. With goggles on, you feel like you’re sitting inside the drone — weaving through trees, skimming over landscapes, and racing at high speeds. But in Australia, FPV flying comes with strict rules, and many new pilots don’t realise that it’s treated differently to normal line-of-sight flying.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your FPV flights legal.

Why FPV Flying Is Different

CASA’s standard drone rules require you to keep your drone in visual line of sight at all times. That means you must be able to see the drone with your own eyes, not just through goggles or a screen. When you’re flying FPV, you’re not looking at the drone directly, so by default, FPV is not legal unless certain conditions are met.

How to Fly FPV Legally

If you want to fly FPV in Australia, you’ll need:

1. A Spotter

• You must have a visual observer (often called a spotter) standing next to you.

• The spotter’s job is to keep the drone in sight at all times, watch for hazards like people or aircraft, and be ready to tell you to land if needed.

• This allows you to focus on your goggles while still meeting CASA’s visual line-of-sight requirement.

2. Compliance with Drone Safety Rules

• FPV or not, you must still follow the standard drone safety rules:

  • Stay below 120 metres (400 ft)

  • Keep at least 30 metres away from people

  • Stay 5.5 km away from controlled airports unless approved

  • Never fly over crowds, roads, or emergencies

3. Flying in Approved Locations

• FPV racing often takes place at approved flying fields through model aircraft clubs.

• Joining a local club (such as those affiliated with the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia) can give you access to safe, designated areas where FPV is encouraged.

Commercial FPV Flying

If you’re using FPV for work — for example, capturing cinematic footage or inspection shots — you’ll need the right licences:

• A Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) if your drone weighs over 2kg.

• A Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) if you’re running your own business.

• Night FPV operations or flights outside standard rules require additional CASA approvals.

At Enclave Media, we’re fully certified and insured to carry out FPV work commercially. That means we can use FPV drones for creative filming and high-energy shots while keeping everything safe and compliant.

Final Thoughts

FPV drones open up a whole new way of flying, but in Australia, you can’t just throw on goggles and go — you need to make sure you’re meeting CASA’s requirements. By flying with a spotter, sticking to the safety rules, and getting the right approvals for commercial work, you can enjoy FPV without risking fines or unsafe situations.

If you’re looking to add fast-paced FPV footage to your project, contact Enclave Media. We’ll take care of the approvals and bring you the action safely and legally.