Quick guide · CASA TMI 2024-01
OONP – Drones over or near people
What event organisers, producers and WHS teams need to know about CASA's rules for flying drones over or near people (OONP).
Only approved operators can legally fly over people
To fly a drone over people, or closer than 30 m to the public, the operator needs a CASA Remote Operator Certificate (ReOC) and a CASA OONP approval. Hobby flyers and operators without a ReOC can't use these rules. TMI p.6 →
If an operator can't show you both, they can't legally fly over or near your crowd, talent or crew.
Click here to speak to an approved OONP operatorThe essentials
- By default, drones must stay 30 m away from people who aren't involved in the job. The TMI sets out how CASA approves flying closer, including directly overhead. p.6 →
- There are three pathways to an approval. Most filming and event work uses Pathway 1 or Pathway 2. p.7 →
- The key safety limit is impact energy: 15 joules for the general public, or up to 34 joules with informed consent. p.8 →
- An OONP approval now also covers flying over populous areas, under CASA's standing exemption EX45/24.
The three pathways
- Closed, access-controlled area, with crew, cast and performers only
- Each person is briefed and gives written consent
- Drones up to 25 kg
- Impact energy kept to 15 J or less
- Up to 34 J if people are briefed and give informed consent (a guardian can consent for minors)
- Light drones, prop guards, speed limits or parachutes
- A case-by-case assessment using the international SORA method
- For larger drones or complex jobs that don't fit Pathway 1 or 2
Safety measures that make it possible
Depending on the operation, one of these measures or a combination of them is required. Not every measure is needed at once.
What to ask your drone operator
- Their ReOC number
- A copy of their OONP approval (their instrument)
- Which pathway the job falls under
- The drone's impact energy (joules)
- How people will be briefed and consent recorded
- The flight plan and no-go areas
- The emergency procedures and response plan
- Public liability insurance
Read the full TMI
Jump to a section of the official document, or scroll through the pages below:
This quick guide was prepared by Waking Dream FPV (Rubio Enterprises Pty Ltd, ReOC 9037). It is not a CASA publication and is not legal advice. Please visit www.casa.gov.au for the most up to date information. Always refer to the TMI and the operator's own CASA approval. The TMI is © Civil Aviation Safety Authority, reproduced under CC BY 4.0. CASA has signalled that the TMI will be revised, so check casa.gov.au for the current version.