Drone Photography for Real Estate: What Melbourne Agents Need to Know

Drone photography has become a standard part of the real estate marketing toolkit for prestige, acreage, and coastal properties in Melbourne — and increasingly, for mid-market listings where the block size or location justifies an aerial perspective. But the rules around commercial drone operation in Australia are specific, and the consequences of using an unlicensed operator fall on everyone involved in the transaction.

Here’s what agents need to understand before adding aerial photography to a campaign.

CASA accreditation: what it means and why it matters

In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates all commercial drone operations. Using a drone for real estate photography is commercial use — regardless of whether the pilot is a dedicated drone operator or a photography company with an in-house pilot.

To operate legally for commercial purposes, a drone operator must hold a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and the operating company must hold a ReOC (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate). These are distinct from the basic registration that recreational drone users require.

Using an unlicensed operator for a listing exposes the agency and the photographer to significant legal risk. If an incident occurs during a flight — equipment failure, a collision, property damage, or injury — the absence of proper licensing can void any insurance and create personal liability for the agent who commissioned the work.

At Photastic Shots, our drone pilots hold current RePL certification and operate under a valid ReOC. We handle all airspace notifications (NOTAMs) and pre-flight checks. Certificate of currency is available on request.

No-fly zones and controlled airspace

Melbourne has several areas where drone flights require additional approval or are not permitted at all:

Within 5.5km of controlled airports — this includes Melbourne Airport, Essendon Airport, Moorabbin Airport, and Avalon. Flights in these zones require ATC authorisation.
Over or near helipads — many CBD buildings and hospitals have helipads with associated restricted zones.
Above 120 metres AGL — the standard altitude limit for commercial operations without additional approval.
Over public gatherings or populated areas — standard commercial operations prohibit flying directly over people.
Within 30 metres of people — not including the operator and required observers.

For most suburban Melbourne listings, the no-fly zones aren’t a practical concern — but for inner-city properties, properties near Essendon or Moorabbin, or large events nearby, the photographer should check and lodge the appropriate notifications before the shoot date.

What aerial photography adds to a listing

For most standard suburban listings, ground-level photography is sufficient. Aerial photography genuinely adds value when:

The block is large or unusual in shape — aerials show scale and boundaries that no ground-level shot can convey.
The property has a significant view — bay views, city skylines, or golf course adjacency are all far more compelling from above.
The surrounding area is a selling point — proximity to parks, beaches, or quality streetscapes registers clearly in aerial photography in a way that doesn’t come through in ground shots.
The property has multiple buildings — a main house with a shed, granny flat, or outbuilding is difficult to capture in one ground-level frame.
Acreage or semi-rural properties — the scale of the land is the point, and only aerials communicate it.

Can it be combined with standard photography?

Yes, and this is how we typically work. Drone aerials and ground-level photography happen in the same session — our drone pilot and ground photographer work simultaneously where site conditions allow, keeping the overall shoot time efficient. Everything is delivered on the standard 24-hour timeline.