What is a CASA-licensed drone operator (and why it matters)
If you're hiring a drone operator for commercial work in Australia, look for at least CASA accreditation, ideally a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), and proof of public liability insurance. Anything less and you're carrying the compliance risk.
Accreditation, RePL and ReOC — what's the difference?
CASA accreditation is the basic credential most small commercial operators hold. RePL (Remote Pilot Licence) is a formal licence with more training and broader operating rights. ReOC (Remote Operator's Certificate) is the operator-level certificate held by larger drone companies running multiple pilots.
What to ask before you hire
- What CASA credential do you hold, and can you share it?
- Do you carry public liability insurance, and what's the cover amount?
- Will you supply a flight plan and site risk assessment?
- Are you the pilot, or sub-contracting?
Why it matters
An incident with an unlicensed operator on your site can void insurance, trigger CASA action and create real liability exposure. Spending five minutes checking credentials before booking is the easiest WHS box you'll tick all month.