Drone Series Ep1. Licensed vs. Unlicensed vs. Sub-2kg Exempt Drone Operators: Understanding the Differences

Drones are transforming industries like cinematography, live event production, real estate, construction, and infrastructure monitoring. However, not all drone operators are the same when it comes to legal permissions, skills, and the ability to operate in complex environments.

In Australia, drone operators generally fall into three categories under CASA regulations:

1️⃣ Licensed Drone Operators (RePL Holders) – Have a Remote Pilot License (RePL) and can apply for approvals to fly in restricted airspace and under specialized conditions.

2️⃣ Sub-2kg Exempt Drone Operators – Can legally operate drones under 2kg for commercial purposes without an RePL but with limitations on where and how they fly.

3️⃣ Unlicensed Drone Operators (Recreational Use) – Fly drones for fun or personal projects but cannot legally use them for commercial work.

Each category has its place, and while sub-2kg operators can capture excellent footage, there are specific legal and operational limitations where a licensed operator is required.

1. Licensed Drone Operators (RePL Holders)

📌 Best for high-risk, commercial, and complex aerial operations

✅ What they can do:✔️ Fly in restricted airspace (e.g., Sydney Harbour, near airports, military zones, controlled airspace)✔️ Apply for CASA exemptions to fly over populated areas (including events, roads, and pedestrian areas)✔️ Operate drones over 2kg (which often have better cameras, longer flight times, and more advanced capabilities)✔️ Fly closer than 30m to people and structures (critical for real estate, urban filming, and live productions)✔️ Conduct high-risk and specialized operations (e.g., search and rescue, surveying, broadcasting, and infrastructure inspections)✔️ Obtain night flying approvals (useful for night-time filming, events, and security applications)

🔹 Who should hire them?

✅ Businesses and industries requiring high-end aerial footage, legal compliance, and operational flexibility.

🔹 Example: Reel Impact Media’s licensed drone services

As a CASA-certified drone pilot, I’ve worked across live sports, corporate productions, government projects, and commercial real estate—where proper licensing, safety measures, and airspace approvals are essential.

2. Sub-2kg Exempt Drone Operators

📌 Best for small-scale commercial work in open, low-risk environments

✅ What they can do:

✔️ Legally fly drones under 2kg for commercial purposes (without an RePL)

✔️ Capture high-quality footage for real estate, marketing, and social media

✔️ Operate safely under CASA regulations in open, unrestricted areas

🚫 What they cannot do:

❌ Fly within 30m of people or buildings (which makes urban and event coverage difficult)

❌ Operate in restricted airspace (e.g., near airports, Sydney Harbour, military bases, and controlled zones)

❌ Fly over roads, footpaths, or public events under the new CASA regulations

🔹 Who should hire them?

✅ Small businesses, real estate agents, and content creators needing basic aerial shots where airspace restrictions do not apply.

3. Unlicensed Drone Operators (Recreational Use)

📌 Best for hobby flying & non-commercial drone use

✅ What they can do:

✔️ Fly drones under 2kg for personal use (without making money from the footage)✔️ Capture scenic shots, landscapes, and personal projects

✔️ Fly in unrestricted areas away from people, airports, and major roads

🚫 What they cannot do:

❌ Use their footage for commercial purposes (without a RePL or sub-2kg exemption)

❌ Fly in restricted airspace or over populated areas

❌ Operate in high-risk or commercial environments

🔹 Who should hire them?

🚫 No one for commercial purposes—using an unlicensed operator for business work is illegal under CASA regulations.

Differences Between Licensed, Sub-2kg Exempt, and Unlicensed Drone Operators

Feature	Licensed Drone Operator (RePL)	Sub-2kg Exempt Operator	Unlicensed Drone Operator
Commercial Work Allowed?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	🚫 No
Can Fly Over Populated Areas?	✅ Yes (With a CASA Approved rating on the license)	🚫 No	🚫 No
Can Fly in Restricted Airspace?	✅ Yes (Permits may be required)	🚫 No	🚫 No
Can Fly Closer than 30m to People?	✅ Yes (with a signed waiver)	🚫 No	🚫 No
Can Fly Drones Over 2kg?	✅ Yes	🚫 No	🚫 No
Can fly at night	✅ Yes	🚫 No	🚫 No
Fly in airport airspace	✅ Yes (> 500m from the airport boundary)	✅ Yes (with some conditions)	🚫 No
Best For	High-end aerial productions, restricted areas, legal compliance, safety-critical jobs	Small business, real estate, low-risk marketing footage	Personal & recreational flying only

Which Drone Operator Do You Need?

🔹 For high-risk, complex, or restricted flights → Hire a Licensed (RePL) Drone Operator

🔹 For simple commercial jobs with no airspace restrictions → Sub-2kg Exempt Operators can work

🔹 For personal and hobby flying → Unlicensed Operators (Recreational Use Only)

💡 Why Licensing Matters: Even skilled sub-2kg operators can’t legally access airspace near airports, over roads, or populated areas—so hiring a licensed drone pilot ensures compliance, safety, and reliability.

🚀 Need a licensed drone pilot for your next project? Contact Reel Impact Media for CASA-approved aerial video production across Sydney, Orange, and beyond.