Legal Requirements for Boat Registration Numbers in Australia

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Queensland

Your ship will be allocated registration numbers. These must be:

• Clearly visible in plain characters in a contrasting colour to the hull of your ship.

• The size of the characters depends on the type of ship and must be able to be read from a distance of 30 metres away.

• Ships not capable of planing should have characters a minimum of 75mm high on the sides or on the stern.

• Ships capable of planing should have characters a minimum of 200mm high on the sides.

• A label will be issued which must be placed on the exterior of the ship in a conspicuous place above the waterline.

Personal watercraft (pwc) registration symbols must be:

• Displayed on both sides.

• At least 100mm high.

• Legible from at least 30 metres.

• Clearly visible in a contrasting colour to the craft

• Easily seen while the craft is underway.

• The registration label must be displayed on the port (left) side of the craft adjacent to the registration symbols.

Tenders

Tenders to registered recreational ships are exempt from registration provided they are used within two nautical miles of the primary ship. The tender must be marked on the exterior with the word "tender" and the primary ship registration numbers, at least 75mm high. If this is not possible, markings should be on the inside of the boat in the largest characters practicable. The tender may be marked with the owner's name if it is used for more than one of the owner's ships.

NSW

Mechanically propelled vessels
Must show registration numbers on each side of the vessel at least 150mm high and clearly visible while underway. They should be located on the forward section of the vessel's hull on each side of the vessel.

Sailing vessels
Must show registration numbers on the transom or on both sides of the hull adjacent to the stern. In the case of multi hull craft, the numbers must be on the outer faces of the external hulls adjacent to the stern. The figures must be at least 100mm high and be visible when the vessel is underway.

Note: For registration purposes, a "sailing vessel" means a vessel which has sails as its primary means of propulsion.

PWC
Must have registration numbers on each side of the craft in figures of at least 100mm high, where they are clearly visible when the vessel is underway.

Commercial vessels
Must display a permit number or commercial registration number. The number must be displayed on each side of the hull or on the transom in figures at least 150mm high.

Registration numbers must be clearly visible at a distance of 60m.
The numbers should be of contrasting colours to the boat's hull. Black numbers are standard on a light coloured hull, but on a dark coloured hull you should use white or pale figures.

Victoria

Registration numbers must be displayed on the hull of the vessel on each side of the bow as high as practicable above the waterline in characters that are:

• no less than 150mm high (or 100mm on a PWC)

• in proportionate breadth.

• Coloured in contrast to that of the surface on which they are displayed.

Registration Label
Must be fixed in a conspicuous position on the outside or upper position of the vessel

South Australia
Motor boat registration label and numbers
The registration number issued to the boat must be

• Displayed on both sides of the bow using stick-on numbers
• A contrasting colour to the surface in figures at least 150mm high
• Clearly legible at a distance of 50 metres while the vessel is underway in clear weather.
for boats less than 3 metres in length, registration numbers must be
• At least 100mm high
• Clearly visible from 50 metres.

Note: On boats with excessively flared bows making display of registration numbers difficult, approval may be granted to display the numbers on each side of the cabin.

Your registration label must be
• Securely affixed to the boat adjacent to the steering position
• Clearly visible to a person inspecting the boat from aboard.

Western Australia
Placement of Registration Numbers and Sticker

Numbers must be fixed as follows:
Power Boats: Midships on the side or superstructure of a vessel where they are clearly visible and not under the flare of the bow - 150mm high.

Yachts: On the side of the hull immediately forward of the transom - 50mm high.

Tenders: must have its parent vessel's number displayed on each side of the boat, forward of the transom.

The registration identification label is to be affixed on the port (left) side of the vessel, outside and immediately adjacent to the registration number.

Tasmania

• You must attach your registration label in a position that is visible from outside the vessel.
• You must also display your registration numbers, 150mm high, on each side of the vessel.

Northern Territory

No registration is required in the Northern Territory.