Proposed charges for drone, or remotely piloted aircraft, regulatory services

Overview

We're seeking your views on the proposed charges for drone, or remotely piloted aircraft, services. 

Background

In July 2019, the Australian Government passed legislation to introduce mandatory remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) registration and operator accreditation. This is in addition to existing certification, licensing, flight authorisations and record keeping requirements for commercial, micro and excluded category RPA operators.

Registration and operator accreditation for drone, or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), flown for commercial or business use – any operation other than sport or recreation – will:

• open on 30 September 2020
• be required by 28 January 2021.

What are the proposed charges?

Following the introduction of a range of online services, CASA is proposing a change to the current regulatory service fees, including changes from an hourly rate charge to fixed fees for some services, creating a simpler and clearer fee structure.

The proposed charges, include:

• an initial fee-free registration period for commercial drones or RPA registered before 30 June 2021
• introduction of a simplified fee structure for other drone or RPA services.

From 30 September 2020 until 30 June 2021 the new RPA registration levy will be set at $0. The Australian Government will reconsider the pricing of the charge in early 2021, at which point you will be consulted accordingly.

A range of other drone services will continue to be charged at an hourly rate.

For all complex RPA operations, the hourly rate will be charged at $190. We will send you an estimate of what it will cost, following a request for these services: 

• approval of operation of a large RPA (>150 kg)
• permission to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
• re-issue of permision to operate BVLOS
• approval of risk assessment workshops for complex operations.

Certification (or variation) of a person to conduct RePL training will continue to be charged at the hourly rate of $160.

The proposed charges are based on expected volume and demand for services from commercial, micro and excluded category RPA operators in Australia, over the next five years. This has been calculated on an estimated volume of 8,000 commercial and 32,000 micro and excluded RPA and accounts for seven per cent growth in the sector annually over five years.

CASA is committed to reviewing these charges annually, or as new data becomes available, to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of delivering these services and take into consideration the expected growth and innovation in the sector.

CASA has analysed client data to demonstrate the effect of the proposed RPA registration levy and amendments to regulatory fees for typical commercial RPA operators, comparing current charges with the proposed charges for actual client operations. They have been deidentified for publication, see the cost comparison infographic: typical commercial and excluded RPA operator scenarios.

Your questions answered

Why your views matter

The Australian Government’s overarching cost recovery policy is that, where appropriate, recipients of government services should be charged some or all the costs of those activities. For more information, see the Australian Government Charging Framework.

CASA is required to apply this policy to its regulatory charging activities, including issuing certificates, licences, accreditations, flight authorisations and aircraft registrations.

Regulatory fees ensure the cost of administration and regulation is applied to those who directly use the services, rather than the Australian public.

What is CASA seeking my opinion on?

This consultation is seeking your opinion on the proposed charges:

• an initial fee-free registration period for drones, or RPA, registered before 30 June 2021
• introduction of fixed fees for other drone regulatory services
• maintaining an hourly rate charge for complex operations and RePL training applications.

This consultation does not include:

• drones or model aircraft that are flown for fun (sport or recreation)
• model aircraft being flown at CASA-approved model airfields
• the registration and accreditation law (or the standard operating conditions).

Consultation on the proposed policy occurred in February 2019. The registration levy for recreational drones and model aircraft will be consulted in the future.

More information

For more information about the arrangements for cost recovery or how the charges are calculated, see the Cost Recovery Implementation Statement: RPAS Regulatory Charges (draft for consultation). It should be read in conjunction with the Australian Government Charging Framework and The Charging Framework, administered by the Department of Finance.

What happens next

• Registration and operator accreditation will open 30 September 2020 and be required by 28 January 2021
• All drones, or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), flown for commercial or business use (any operation other than sport or recreation) must be registered, regardless of its weight
• If you’re operating a drone, or RPA, for commercial or business use you must obtain an RPA operator accreditation or a remote pilot licence (RePL)
• Penalties may apply from 28 January 2021, if you operate:
  • an unregistered drone, or RPA, for commecial or business use
  • without a valid RPA operator accreditation or RePL 
• You do not need an accreditation certificate if you hold a RePL or if you’re only flying for fun (sport or recreation)
• Drone, or model aircraft, registration and operator accreditation for people flying for fun (sport or recreation) will open in March 2022. The registration levy for recreational drones and model aircraft will be consulted on at a later date.