Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) - Drones

Use of RPA for Recreational Purposes

Do you want to fly your RPA for recreational purposes? This includes to obtain footage that you may post on social media, in personal or travel blogs, or even just pictures to send to family and friends.

If so, please follow the five easy rules while using your RPA in Western Australia’s national parks and other conservation reserves managed under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (CALM Act).

1. All legislative and regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) must be complied with.
   You can find out about this on the CASA website.
2. All relevant State legislative and regulatory requirements must be complied with, including the CALM Act and CALM Regulations, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018 and the Bushfires Act 1954.  
   The flying of RPA should not create a danger or nuisance for other visitors or disturb wildlife. There are separation distances for some animals that must be observed under the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations, more information can be found on DBCA’s website here.
3. Flying is not permitted over or above people, in accordance with CASA regulations. 
   On CALM Act land, recreation sites, picnic/ day-use areas, campgrounds, camp sites, parking areas, trails, beaches, lookouts and gorges are places that are frequented by the public and where RPA users should particularly ensure that they are not flying over or above people. More information about where drone use is not permitted can be found on apps available on CASA’s website.
4. RPA must not be used where emergency operations are underway, in accordance with CASA regulations. On CALM Act land, this includes management of prescribed burns or bushfires where active RPA may interfere with aerial operations.
   Check the Emergency WA website for information on bushfires and other emergency situations. Further information on prescribed burns is available on the Prescribed Burns page.
5. RPA users are requested to contact the relevant district office prior to each RPA flight to ensure that aerial and other park management operations are not interfered with.
   DBCA regularly conducts aerial and other operations that may be impacted by, or that may impact on, RPA use. Information on prescribed burns is available on Today's Burns page.

Frequently asked questions

• What do I need to do before I fly a RPA on CALM Act land?
  Please contact the relevant district office prior to each RPA flight. This is to make sure that your RPA does not impact on, or is not impacted by, aerial and other park management operations. Contact details for the district offices are provided below. Before you fly, make sure you understand and observe the five rules for flying RPA in Western Australia’s national parks and other conservation reserves.
• What is CALM Act land?
  CALM Act land includes national parks, regional parks, conservation parks, marine parks, reserves and State forest. If you’re not sure whether or not you are flying an RPA on CALM Act land, please check the Park Finder map.
  RPA use on private land requires approval from the landowner. RPA use on local government land requires approval from the relevant local government.
• Use of RPA in other places managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
  The above information is relevant to national parks and other conservation reserves managed under the CALM Act. Recreational use of RPA is not permitted at Rottnest Island, Kings Park and Bold Park and Perth Zoo.
  For use of RPA over the Swan and Canning Rivers, please contact the Rivers and Estuaries Branch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• What are the rules for using RPA to film marine mammals?
  RPA users must make sure they do not interfere with or impact on marine mammals. RPA users must make sure they keep a separation distance of 60 metres between the RPA and whale sharks, whales, killer whales, dolphins, dugongs and seals. The separation distance is set by the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations.
• What to do if using RPA for commercial purposes? 
  If you plan to use your RPA for a commercial purpose (that is, for profit or reward), you will need to apply for a filming and photography permit or licence. Applications can be submitted online via the commercial operator licensing system. Visit the Commercial Filming page for further information and access to the online system.
• What to do if using RPA for scientific, educational and research purposes?
  RPA use around marine mammals or fauna for scientific, educational or research purposes requires a licence under the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018. You can send an application to the Wildlife Licensing Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. View further information on wildlife licenses.

View the list of Office Contacts