Essential guide to Australian boating licensing and registration
The rules around licensing and registration for boats can be a bit muddy, with laws varying in each state.
In most Australian states, you must have a boating licence to operate a powered recreational vessel. The same is true for fishing, where the licensing rules vary state to state. Below is a very simple guide to boating licensing and registration as well as recreational fishing licences. Please use the below as the starting point for your own research rather than a comprehensive manual.
Recreational Boating Licences
As with driver’s licences, recreational boating licences are issued by a government body in most states. If you’re travelling, most states recognise the licences of other states but it’s always best to check ahead of time to be certain. If you’re settling down in a new region on a more permanent basis it’s best to investigate transferring your old licence across or going through the process of getting one.
To qualify for a marine licence, applicants will need to take a test that assesses their knowledge and understanding of the rules laid out in the state’s Boating Safety Handbook. These can be found by typing ‘Recreational Boating Safety Handbook’ into the search bar of the websites listed below. Applicants may also be required to attend a practical boating safety course.
The rules differ in each state so it’s important to be aware of your state’s laws. Below is a very simplified version of the laws according to each state (please be aware this is not a conclusive guide or one that should be referenced, please head to your state’s website, listed below, for the full information).
- Victoria — anyone operating a powered recreational vessel must be licensed
- New South Wales and ACT — anyone travelling over 10 knots in a powered recreational vessel must be licensed
- Queensland — anyone operating a vessel with an engine that exceeds six horsepower must be licensed
- Western Australia — you’ll need a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket when operating a powered vessel, which is similar to but not technically a licence and therefore never expires
- South Australia and Tasmania — share elements with all of the above
- Northern Territory — you are not required to have a licence to operate a recreational boat
As you can see, the requirements vary dramatically. It’s best to check the rules on the corresponding website before heading out so you’re not only staying on the right side of the law but also, most importantly, keeping yourself and your passengers safe.
Where to find further information for each state (and Boating Safety Handbook access):
- Victoria — transportsafety.vic.gov.au
- New South Wales and ACT— rms.nsw.gov.au
- Queensland — qld.gov.au
- Northern Territory — nt.gov.au
- Western Australia — transport.wa.gov.au
- South Australia — sa.gov.au
- Tasmania — mast.tas.gov.au
Personal Watercraft (PWCs)
You must receive further certification in addition to a recreational boating licence to operate PWCs in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. In all other states they fall under the same regulations as powerboats.
Registration
With some rare exceptions, any motor-equipped boat (including tenders and sailing yachts with motors) or PWC will need to be registered. The only exception is in the Northern Territory where registration is not necessary. Registration fees are payable to state transportation authorities and are generally paid every 12 months. You also need to register your trailer for use on the road, no matter which state you live in.
Fishing Licences
Recreational fishing licences are required to fish in the states of New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. In the ACT and Northern Territory, no licence is required for recreational angling. The same goes for Queensland and South Australia with some small exceptions, for example, restricted areas that can only be fished with a permit.
Irrespective of whether a recreational fishing licence is required, it’s important to know the rules and regulations relating to size, bag and boat limits, closures and protected species for any area in which you plan to fish.
You can easily find this information online at each state’s fishing regulator website. Remember, ignorance of the rules will not be a sufficient excuse if you are found doing the wrong thing.
Where to find further information for each state:
- Victoria — vfa.vic.gov.au
- New South Wales — dpi.nsw.gov.au
- Queensland — daf.qld.gov.au
- Northern Territory — dpir.nt.gov.au
- Western Australia — fish.wa.gov.au
- South Australia — pir.sa.gov.au
- Tasmania — ifs.tas.gov.au
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