Whether it is expensive is subjective, absent of cost my point is it would seem things are a lot simpler in Australia than the USA and elsewhere. You don't need a pilots licence. It seems CASA will have comfort in the applicants competency based on the RTO ticking a box. From your earlier commentary in other threads several of the participants had difficulty understanding what the sticks did on the remote when entering flight training. It would seem demonstrated flight competency is of less importance than understanding aviation operations. CASA will provide assistance leading applicants through the process including proving assistance with the operations manual and other documents. I don't understand what the benefit in using an RTO is, it would seem you can get there without them.
Please report back with what the flight test involves.
I would also be interested to learn whether a radio operators certification is, or could be, included as part of the course, what commercial operations are permitted following certification and to what extent you have made enquiries concerning insurance coverage for any aircraft used for business operations (I would expect public liability is mandatory).
Your experience in going through the process will likely be of great interest and benefit to others here.
Cost for drone course re relevant to those who are on a fixed income (pension my case) but it was worth it. At the moment, CASA allows an operator to fly a drone under 2kg MTOW without a License, as long as it's for hobby and entertainment.
If it's for commercial use, you need a CASA issued UAV license which is only issued to those who have been assessed and approved by CASA.
This Unmanned Operators Certificate (UOC) is for life and it will only be issued to those who have a current ASIC listed registered business or company.
On that UOC, CASA will l stipulate what you can use this for based on what you tell what you want to do with the drone. If you want to fly heavier birds than 7kgs, it will entail more training and or assessment by CASA.
Those applying for a CASA UOC must also get a free ARN - Aircraft Reg.Number from same after which you can do biz with CASA online. Once you have the UOC you must by Australian law, carry Public Liability Insurance, which not many underwriters will do just now as the UAV industry is just starting to grow for commercial use.
However, if you have a biz name or company you would have PLI anyway and all you need to do is ask your Ins. company would they extend it for a Drone as part off your photo/Ag work. Some do, some don't. So ask around.
As for flight tests, it's pretty full on. Its just like going for your car, truck, fly a plane test drive!
It involves various manoeuvres like an 'Lazy Eight', Circuits, various eyelevel flights demonstrating hover, pitch, roll and yaw, with GPS on and off. Show what you would do if you loose a live video feed or loss of visual sight, GPS failure, RTH failure, and even be asked various questions about your Drone, one of which would I'd guess, what are various flashing lights mean?
You also have to show the CASA assessor what, when, how often, why and where you do Maintenance on your drone and by what means you record al this info. You must log every flight you do. be that for fun or for biz. To CASA, a flight is a flight, not what it was used for.
You even have to show them how you assemble and disassemble the Drone, and above all, show that you can fly your aircraft safely and with confidence. In other words, its the same procedure for a plane or copter. All this and more is being revised this year by CASA and no doubt there will be new regs and laws in place, as the Drone industry cranks up.
As for an Aeronautical Radio Proficiency Operator License, that was part of the course. After scoring a 100% (min is 80%) in the closed book exam, I had to go Toowoomba airport for an a Practical and English test - just to make sure I can speak and understand the 'Radio lingo' in English. I have since bought my own hand-held VHF radio.
So next week, I have two days of personal flight training after which I will have to practice every day, as CASA will come out within the next 6 months as they're heavily booked up for flight tests for all types of aircraft, including drones.
Here's CASA link for the who have questions re UAV's...
Remotely piloted aircraft system frequently asked questions | Civil Aviation Safety Authority