Fishing licence in Australia

Fishing licence in Australia

In Australia, fishing conditions are often favorable. We really could not ask for much more with our abundance of freshwater and inland rivers, world-class game fishing, and limitless coasts for beach or rock fishing.

However, there are rules in place, and it is crucial to follow them to ensure that our magnificent fisheries are enjoyed properly both now and in the future, not to mention the fines you might receive if you don’t. It is your responsibility as a fisher (or prospective fisher) to know if you need a license, what your bag and size limitations are, as well as when and where you are allowed to fish. Recreational fishing rules and regulations differ from state to state.

what does a fishing licence in australia allow you to do?

Do not fear, you will not be evaluated on your casting skills or familiarity with local marine species before they hand it out; a fishing license is merely a permit you must acquire and carry with you while you are fishing. Fishing licenses are beneficial to both the ecosystem and fish. The money you pay for your fishing license goes back into maintaining our waterways, piers and jetties, fish stocking programs, and more. This improves the fishing experience for Aussie fishes and ensures the long-term health of our fish populations.

For recreational fishing, no license is needed in South Australia, the Northern Territory, or the Australian Capital Territory. Queensland does not require a fishing license, however certain stocked impoundments do. All other states, on the other hand, do require a license for the entirety of the state, specific state waters, whether you are pursuing a certain species, and whether you are employing a rod and reel, fishing net, or spearfishing equipment.

Australian fishing licence is enforced

It pays to conduct your research and obtain the appropriate license before you hit the water since licensing is enforced. If your license is randomly checked at a boat, pier, or river, your catch may be taken away and you may be fined; this is hardly anyone’s idea of a good time. Let us break it down and look at what is necessary (and what is available) state by state since if you are traveling, you will need to fulfill the standards of every state you intend to fish in.

Statutory rights to fish

When statutory management plans for a Commonwealth-managed fishery are in place, as decided under Section 17 of the Act, statutory fishing rights are awarded under Section 31 of the Fisheries Management Act of 1991 (the Act).

The following fisheries are awarded statutory fishing rights:

Fishery for Southern Bluefin Tuna
Fishery for Northern Prawns
Central Zone Scallop Fishery in Bass Strait
Fisheries on Heard Island and the McDonald Islands
Scalefish and shark fishing in the South and East
Eastern Billfish and Tuna Fishery
Fishery for Billfish and Tuna in the West
Pelagic Fishing, Small.

Australian fishing licences

Commercial fishing for Commonwealth-managed species is permitted in high seas when appropriate with licences issued under Section 32 of the Fisheries Management Act of 1991.

The region of operation, the boat being used, and other requirements, such as the kinds of fishing done and the species obtained, are all specified in permits. Additionally, permits may be issued for equipment testing and for transferring or processing fish caught by another boat.

According to Section 4 of the Fisheries Management Act of 1991, every boat used to fish under a fishing permit must be an Australian boat.

Permission of fishing in Australia

Permits may be issued for a maximum of five years, however most are issued for one year at a time, with the option for holders of those permits to reapply for renewal each year.

There are not any new fishing licenses being issued right now, but while they are still valid, most permits can be assigned to someone else or another boat can be nominated in place of the original one.

The AFMA has the authority to suspend or revoke permits in specific situations.

Fishing licence in Victoria

Who requires a fishing license in Victoria?

All recreational fishing in Victoria’s coastal, estuarine, and inland waters is covered by a Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL).

An RFL is necessary unless you are exempt when;

Using or owning recreational fishing gear in, on, or close to Victorian waterways. Taking, or trying to take, any type of fish from public waters using any means, including line fishing, bait or clam gathering, yabby fishing, prawning, and spearfishing.
When fishing in Victoria, you must have a valid RFL on hand unless you are exempt; there are consequences for doing so. You cannot lend or transfer your RFL to someone else.

How can I purchase a licence for recreational fishing?

Recreational fishing licenses are available in four categories. It is more affordable to purchase a 1- or 3-year license online through Service Victoria, and this maintains more money in the RFL Trust Account, which funds programs to enhance fishing.

A license may also be purchased in person at one of our Authorized Sales Agents located around the state.

The RFL is free from GST. Every year, new fees go into effect on July 1. For the current license costs as of 1 July 2022, see below:

To make sure you never go without a valid RFL, you may pre-date your license up to three months in advance.

Fisheries officers will recognize the following documents as valid license proof:

A handwritten license issued by an authorized agency. A plastic recreational fishing license. A digital RFL or an email with license information.

Purchase a Victoria´s fishing licence online.

A digital RFL is available for purchase from Service Victoria. A confirmation email will be sent to you, and fisheries officials will accept this email as verification of your purchase and proof of a current license.

Your RFL will instantly show when you register a Service Victoria account and download the free mobile app. Fisheries officers can examine your license without getting on the boat if you use Bluetooth to share this digital license with them.

Your personal information is safeguarded by the bank-level security used to build the digital RFL, which also allows access even when you are not within network range.

Invest in a plastic fishing licence.

A 1- or 3-year plastic fishing license can be purchased online or via any authorized agent for the usual price (discounted fee).

Please give it two weeks or more to arrive by mail.

Purchase from a licensed representative
Please note that usual costs apply. The RFL is also offered at several recreational fishing license locations around Victoria.

Who is excluded?

If you are, then you do not need a fishing licence:

• under the age of 18, older than 70, or in possession of a:
• interstate version of the Victorian Seniors Card
• Pensioner ID Card from the Department of Veterans Affairs coded Gold Card (TPI)
• Concession Card for Commonwealth Pensioners

or:

A person who holds an Ordinary HealthCard, a PPS (Parenting Payment Single) or Newstart benefit card, a Seniors Business Discount Card from the state of Victoria, or a DVA White or Orange Card who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is not excluded from obtaining a fishing license.

You lost your licence for fishing in Victoria.

To obtain a copy of your RFL, send an email to rec.licensing@vfa.vic.gov.au.

Within two business days of the request, if your RFL was acquired online, you will get an email containing your license information. Depending on the manner of sale, if your RFL was acquired through an authorized agency, you will either get an email containing your licence details or a handwritten licence in the mail.

Using your digital RFL to access your fishing license

Please download the Service Victoria app and log in with the same email address you used to purchase the license in order to access your digital RFL. Your digital RFL should instantly be added to the My cards area of the app’s digital wallet.

If you previously used the Service Victoria app to view your digital RFL but it is no longer there, please attempt the following steps:

Delete the app’s cache.
Reinstall the Service Victoria application
Verify that the email you used to purchase your RFL is the one you are using to sign in to your Service Victoria account.
Look for the text in the «My Cards» area at the top of the screen.

Regional fishing

If you want to fish outside of Victoria, check to see if you need a license. A Victorian RFL is not valid in other states or territories.
You could be required to pay the NSW recreational fishing charge if you want to undertake any fishing over the border in New South Wales.
Since Lake Hume has a reciprocal license, anybody with a NSW fishing permit can fish there without obtaining a Victorian fishing permit. NSW is expecting to take a Victorian fishing license for Lake Mulwala in exchange.

Fishing licence in WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Applying for or renewing a recreational fishing licence can be done by:

• online application
• obtaining an application form, filling it out (PDF)
• completing a form at a Fisheries office of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Send your completed application, together with a check or money order, to:

Department of Regional Development and Primary Industries Locked Bag 4 Bentley Delivery Center WA 6983

Each approved fishing activity carries a fee (please refer to the application form for more information). If you are under the age of 16, have a Seniors Card, or get a pension, you are eligible for discounts.

In Western Australia, do I need a WA fishing license?

according to the kind of fishing. For recreational boat fishing, net fishing, freshwater fishing, crayfish (rock lobster), abalone, or marron, a licence is necessary. Visit the Department of Fisheries website to submit an application for one of these licenses.

How can I obtain a fishing license in Western Australia?

Online through the Department of Fisheries website is the quickest and most convenient way to obtain a license.

How can I renew my fishing license, which is about to expire?
The Department of Fisheries website is the best place to go to renew your fishing licence.

What does a fishing license in Western Australia cost?
These are the license fees for recreational fishing as of right now:

Fishing licence in New South Wales

Obtaining a Fishing License in New South Wales

New South Wales offers a variety of chances for fishing adventures. This state offers both trophy-sized blue marlin fishing and tranquil fly-fishing for trout. You must first obtain a NSW fishing license before you can venture outside and start catching fish.
Everything you need to know about fishing permits in New South Wales is presented below. We will go through everything you need to know, including who needs a license, what kinds of licenses are available, how much it will cost, and other pertinent information. You will be prepared to go fishing as soon as you finish reading.

Fishing in NWS lakes

You must have your recreational fishing license with you, or a receipt proving you paid the recreational fishing charge.

fishing in NSW waterways, including in freshwater and saltwater, and having fishing equipment on hand.
Additionally, you need to have your ID or receipt on you while you are: spearfishing, hand lining, bait collection, trapping, and prawn netting.

Who in New South Wales requires a fishing licence?

Generally speaking, in order to legally fish in NSW, anybody over the age of 18 must pay a NSW recreational fishing fee and possess the receipt serving as evidence of payment. This is necessary for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Additionally, there is a cost for carrying fishing equipment in, on, or close to bodies of water as well as for spearfishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait collection, and prawn netting.

In New South Wales, who may fish without a license?

Adults must pay the NSW recreational fishing fee in order to fish, however not everyone is subject to this requirement.

The following individuals are not required to pay the fee:

Anyone assisting a kid or adolescent under the age of 18 who is fishing with a single rod, dip net, or scoop net; Children and teenagers under the age of 18;
Indigenous peoples;
fishing enthusiasts at a private dam no more than 2 hectares;
Holder of a Centrelink Pensioner Concession card, a Pensioner Concession card from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), a DVA Gold card with the endorsements «Totally and Permanently Incapacitated» (TPI) or «Extreme Disabilities Adjustment» (EDA), or a DVA letter confirming receipt of an intermediate pension or a disability pension of at least 70%.

What is the price of a fishing licence in NSW?

Depending on how long you want to fish, your fishing cost may vary. Three days, one month, one year, and (for the adventurous fishermen) three years are the four pricing ranges. Obtaining a real plastic receipt for paying the fishing fee for a year or for three years is another perk.

Where can I purchase a fishing license in NSW?

Purchasing a NSW fishing license: What you need to know is written in white writing beneath the NSW flag on a blue backdrop.
The NSW recreational fishing fee can be paid in a number of different ways.

Online:

Making your NSW recreational fishing fee payment online is one of the simplest methods to do so. Just go the Service NSW website and press the large red start button. After providing your contact information and payment information, you will be sent an email with your receipt. You may store the receipt digitally on your phone using the My Service NSW app.

By phone

Call 1300 369 365 if you would rather speak to someone on the phone. Remember that you must pay for this service using a Visa or Mastercard.

By a fee agent

You can also go to a fishing fee agent in person, according to an agent. Agents can be divided into two categories: gold agents and ordinary agents.

From Service NSW Centers:

As an alternative, you can go to one of these locations to pay the fishing fee. These facilities are dispersed around the state. Visit the Service NSW website and do a search there by entering a postcode or even your precise address to discover the closest center to you.

What you require to fulfill you NSW fishing licence

your personal information
your living and mailing addresses, the start date of your license, the length of your license need, and a valid credit card to pay the license price.

How to use the fishing licence app

Check the prerequisites for enrollment.
Click the tab labeled «Apply online.»
Choose «Start.»
Fill out the online application.
Type in your payment information.
Check the declaration by reading it.

Any other information I should know?

You can ask for a refund if you discover that you are exempt from paying the fishing fee but have already done so. The necessary refund form is available for download online. Simply select a bank transfer or credit card refund, complete the form with your information, and mail it to NSW DPI – Recreational Licensing, LMB 3020. You can call the Recreational Licensing section at 02 4424 7499 with any further inquiries about refunds or any other issues pertaining to your license.

The following general guidelines apply to recreational fishing in New South Wales:

• Any fishing rods or lines must be within ten meters of you, in your line of sight, and have no more than two hooks.
• Any set lines must have just one hook and be marked with your name, address, and boat registration number.
• Never remove eggs from a crayfish or take them out of freshwater.
• Throughout the day, set lines should be checked often, ideally every hour, to release any tiny fish or animals that could be trapped.
• It is not permitted to employ explosives, poisons, or chemicals to catch fish in fresh water.
• Fish caught by recreational fishermen cannot be sold.

Fishing licence in Tasmania

Tasmanian´s fishing licence

Some of the greatest inland fishing waters in the world are found in Tasmania. It is a very alluring and thrilling fishing location because of its numerous streams and lakes as well as its clean, distinctive natural surroundings. Here, you may fish for a variety of trout and salmon at one water or at numerous waters within a single day, visit great fishing areas conveniently from major cities, and catch wild trout in crystal clear waters surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

Over 300 lakes in Tasmania

Over 3000 lakes and tarns, the majority of which contain trout, may be found in the Central Highlands.

Numerous of these can only be reached on foot, yet the trek may be rewarding in and of itself because the walk can be breathtaking. Rivers are also well valued, and many of them have consistent, moderate flows.

Anglers from throughout the country and abroad are drawn to Tasmania’s wild brown trout fishing in particular, although the fishery also accommodates a wide range of angling interests. Anglers may choose between pursuing bigger fish in the shallow margins of one of the many hundreds of lakes or fishing one of the numerous little streams that are teeming with brown trout in the 500 gram range.
Large tracts of National Parks and World Heritage Areas provide great trout waterways for the adventurous fisherman.

Fishing in saltwater in Tasmania

Tasmania is surrounded by water and offers some amazing marine fishing opportunities, including game fishing for yellowfin tuna, albacore, striped marlin, and southern bluefin tuna in bays, rivers, and estuary systems. One of the most sought-after game fish is southern bluefin tuna, and Tasmania is home to multiple world records for this species.

In 2001, Tasmania established recreational bag restrictions for all saltwater species in addition to the long-standing recreational bag limitations for all game fish. While some recreational netting is still permitted, commercial netting is prohibited in practically all bays, rivers, and estuaries.

Fishing licence in tasmania

Licenses for Recreational Sea Fishing
Online fishing license purchases. Learn what sorts of fishing in Tasmania require a recreational license.
Seasons for Recreational Fishing
There are open and closed seasons for recreational fisheries that catch banded morwong, squid, scallops, striped trumpeter, and rock lobster (crayfish).

Purchase, verify, or renew a fishing licence in Tasmania

The licence year runs from November 1, 2021, until October 31, 2022. From the date of purchase until October 31, 2022, licences are valid. There are no short-term licences available.
When you go fishing, you are not needed to have your licence on you, but if you like, you can bring a digital copy of your receipt. Plastic licence cards will not be issued after 2022.

What kinds of fishing require a licence?

Ring, Rock Lobster Pot, or Dive

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted. Before you buy, verify the season dates, biotoxin status, regulations, and catch restrictions.
If you are unable to fish in some places due to biotoxin or season limitations, refunds are not offered.

Abalone

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted. information about abalone catch restrictions.

​Scallop

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted. Before you buy, confirm season dates, regulations, and catch limitations.

Takeall Net

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted. information on the permitted types of nets and how to label them.

Mussel Net

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted. information on the permitted types of nets and how to label them.

Seine Beach Net

information on the permitted types of nets and how to label them.

Line up

Children under the age of 10 are not permitted. information on area limitations, setlines, and how to indicate them.

Indigenous fishing

Aboriginal fishermen are not required to get a licence.

Fees for fishing licences in tasmania