The new rules are in response to a high number of drone complaints in the last four years.
Aussie drone users will soon have to pay to register their technology, and obtain a mandatory “flyers licence” in order to operate them in Australia.
From July 1st 2019, those with drones weighing over 250g will have to be accredited with the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) through an online education course, and will need to pay a registration fee in order to fly it.
It is estimated that registration could cost around $20 per year for recreational drones, and up to $160 a year for commercial drones.
The new rules were introduced not only as a safety measure, but also in response to the large number of complaints from residents and business about drones flying around their premises or in public spaces.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told ABC that the licence and registration would help to solve the problem of un-safe drone flying.
“It will certainly give us big advantages in terms of complaints or reports of drones being flower improperly or against the safety rules.
“We’ll have a starting point to know who flies drones in that area, and what sort of drone they fly.”
Currently, laws dictate that drone operators must not fly more than 120m above the ground, within 30m of people, and must at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes. They also cannot be used at night, in restricted areas, or at festivals and events, with possible fines up to $10,000 or possible criminal prosecution.
The new rules come after Google began trialling a new drone food delivery service in Canberra last year.
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Written by Kate Stevens
Images: Getty
