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ACE Highlights
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Welcome, Far North Queenslanders.
Cairns & Far North Queensland drone training — CASA-approved RePL and XAG agricultural drone courses for farming, tourism and reef monitoring.
Dates coming soon
Register your interest and we'll notify you the moment Cairns intakes open.
Register Interest“From sugarcane to the Great Barrier Reef, Far North Queensland offers extraordinary commercial drone opportunities. ACE Aviation delivers CASA-approved training in Cairns, setting you up to work in agriculture, tourism, and environmental monitoring.”
Cairns and Far North Queensland — venue confirmed upon enrolment
Transparent, all-inclusive pricing for Cairns students.
Micro drone operators
Commercial pilots
Starting a drone business
With eligible DroneWork bursary
Includes $500 course credit for eligible students.
Advanced / enterprise operators
With eligible DroneWork bursary
Includes $700 course credit for eligible students.
Take your training further with advanced, industry-specific programmes.
$1,450 AUD per aircraft type for XAG P150MAX, XAG P150, XAG P100, JOYANCE JTC30, DJI T100, DJI T50.
Instructor-led night flying on DJI Enterprise platforms — orientation, control and assessment after dark.
Medium-category agricultural spraying, spreading and mapping on the XAG P150 MAX.
Aircraft-specific training for building, roof and solar-panel cleaning operations.
A nationally recognised qualification that sets you apart in commercial aviation.
Drone repair, maintenance and engineering — delivered through ACE NextLab.
Drone business licensing, compliance and operations support.
CASA's Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate — clear, compliant aviation radio calls.
Getting licensed is just step one. ACE graduates get exclusive access to DroneWork — our platform connecting qualified pilots directly with paid commercial tasks and employers across Australia.
Reserve your seat at an upcoming CASA-approved training intake in Cairns. Dates update live from our student portal.
We don't have public Cairns dates listed right now. Speak to an advisor or browse the national calendar to find the next available intake.
Tell us what you're interested in and an ACE course advisor will call you back with Cairns dates, pricing and the right pathway for your goals.
From your first click to your CASA licence — here's exactly what to expect.
Step 1
Complete your enrolment through the secure student portal in minutes. Spots per intake are limited.
Step 2
Access your self-paced online course immediately — study from anywhere in Australia at your own pace.
Step 3
Join instructor-led live webinars in your first two weeks to prepare thoroughly for your CASA exam.
Step 4
Attend your CASA knowledge exam in person at a designated exam centre. Most ACE students pass on the first attempt.
Step 5
Complete face-to-face flight days at approved training sites in and around Cairns with certified instructors.
Step 6
ACE handles your CASA submission paperwork. Your RePL typically arrives within 24–48 hours of submission.
Step 1
Complete your enrolment through the secure student portal in minutes. Spots per intake are limited.
Step 2
Access your self-paced online course immediately — study from anywhere in Australia at your own pace.
Step 3
Join instructor-led live webinars in your first two weeks to prepare thoroughly for your CASA exam.
Step 4
Attend your CASA knowledge exam in person at a designated exam centre. Most ACE students pass on the first attempt.
Step 5
Complete face-to-face flight days at approved training sites in and around Cairns with certified instructors.
Step 6
ACE handles your CASA submission paperwork. Your RePL typically arrives within 24–48 hours of submission.
ACE Guarantee
If you don't pass your CASA knowledge exam or practical assessment first time, ACE trains you again — at no extra cost. We don't stop until you succeed. That's our commitment to every student.
We deliver practical flight days at approved training sites across Cairns and Queensland, combined with online theory you can complete from anywhere. Your exact meeting point within these training areas is confirmed on enrolment.
Curious what a commercial drone licence could be worth in Cairns? Our free Drone Income Calculator, powered by data from OpenAI, gives you an indicative estimate of potential monthly and annual income based on your inputs — plus the recommended ACE training pathway, licence and compliance gaps, and the best drone industries across Queensland. Estimates are indicative and depend on market demand.
Queensland
Income estimates are indicative only and depend on licensing, compliance, experience, equipment, location, marketing and market demand. This is not financial advice and does not guarantee income or employment.
Ready to go beyond your licence? Cairns students can add advanced, industry-specific training that turns a drone qualification into a career.
Sub-150kg$1,450 AUD per aircraft type for XAG P150MAX, XAG P150, XAG P100, JOYANCE JTC30, DJI T100, DJI T50.
Explore this program
Night OpsInstructor-led night flying on DJI Enterprise platforms — orientation, control and assessment after dark.
Explore this program
AgricultureMedium-category agricultural spraying, spreading and mapping on the XAG P150 MAX.
Explore this program
IndustrialAircraft-specific training for building, roof and solar-panel cleaning operations.
Explore this program
AccreditedA nationally recognised qualification that sets you apart in commercial aviation.
Explore this program
EngineeringDrone repair, maintenance and engineering — delivered through ACE NextLab.
Explore this program
OperatorsDrone business licensing, compliance and operations support.
Explore this program
RadioCASA's Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate — clear, compliant aviation radio calls.
Explore this programReal operational experience, genuine support and nationally recognised qualifications — not just a certificate.
Start your trainingNationally recognised training and assessment across RPA categories up to sub-150kg.
Our courses fill fast — secure your spot early to lock in your preferred dates.
Learn from instructors with extensive aviation backgrounds — engineers and working subject-matter experts from the industry.
Study theory online at your own pace and fit practical flight days around your life.
Built around real work — connect to genuine drone jobs through DroneWork.
Spread the cost with flexible, interest-friendly payment plans and no hidden fees.
A commercial drone licence opens doors across Cairns and QLD. These are the industries actively hiring and contracting licensed drone operators right now.
Earnings are indicative estimates based on market rates. Actual income depends on experience, equipment, demand and business development.
"Nothing is too hard for these guys. Great team, very helpful. Working hard to get you the knowledge to get your drone licence whether it be your RePL or ReOC. The education team is helpful throughout your journey."
"Awesome company and the delivery of training is excellent. Wonderful, understanding trainers and support. Always available to answer questions and help."
"I was searching for a licence to pilot a very specific, uncommon type of drone. The guys at ACE were the only company who knew what I was talking about and explained the whole process clearly and with knowledge."
"Completed my RePL with ACE and landed my first agricultural contract within three weeks of graduating. The XAG training was invaluable — no other school offers anything close to that level of practical experience."
"I came in with zero aviation background. The instructors broke everything down into plain English and never made me feel behind. Passed first attempt and I'm now doing survey work for a major construction firm in Queensland."
"The DroneWork platform alone is worth the course fee. Had three job offers within a month of completing my Gold package. ACE genuinely invests in your career beyond just the licence."
Search instant answers on RePL & ReOC licences, XAG agricultural drones, CASA rules and drone careers — all in one place.
Enrol in a CASA-approved RePL (Remote Pilot Licence) course with ACE Aviation, complete the self-paced online theory from anywhere in Queensland, then attend your practical flight training and assessment in Cairns. Once you pass, CASA issues your RePL — the licence you need to fly drones commercially in Australia.
ACE Aviation packages start from $1,299 for the Starter package. See the package card for its included licence category and current terms.
Start with ACE's online study materials in the student portal. They include comprehensive course content, recorded lectures, quizzes, practice exams and exam-preparation modules so you arrive ready for the instructor-led training. Complete three days of face-to-face virtual classroom theory with an ACE RPAS instructor via Zoom. The three days can be completed together or spread over up to 12 months. You then attend two practical and assessment days in Cairns.
Cairns and Far North Queensland — venue confirmed upon enrolment. Your exact venue and directions are confirmed when you enrol.
No. ACE Aviation's courses are designed for complete beginners through to experienced operators — instructors take you from the fundamentals to a confident, assessment-ready standard, and graduates get job support through the DroneWork platform.
New to drones? Start with our complete guide to getting your drone licence (RePL) in Australia.
Check upcoming Cairns course dates and secure your spot today.