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Queensland Transport
Home > Registration > Recreational ships

Recreational ships

In Queensland, all ships with a motor or auxiliary of more than 3 kW (over 4 hp) must be registered when on the water. A completed recreational ship registration application (PDF**, 178KB) form must be lodged at a Queensland Transport customer service centre. Telephone enquiries about recreational ship registration can be made to the call centre on 13 23 80b from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm EST (GMT +10).

Fees are calculated on the length of your ship. Exemptions from registration fees are given to totally and permanently incapacitated war pensioners. Current fees are:

Length General Pensioners/Senior
Card holders
up to and including 4.5 m A$68.90 A$42.55
4.51 m - 6 m A$108.50 A$62.35
6.01 m - 10 m A$148.15 A$82.15
10.01 m - 15 m A$174.50 A$95.35
15.01 m - 20 m A$214.05 A$115.10
20.01 m and over A$267.00 A$141.60

The registration fee includes a A$16.15 recreational use fee collected by Queensland Transport on behalf of the Department of Primary Industries for fish restocking.

Recreational ships 15 m and over
Applications for new registration, transfer of ownership or change of ship particulars for ships 15 m and over must be endorsed by Maritime Safety Queensland before they can be processed by a Queensland Transport customer service centre. 

Forms

Make enquiries at your local Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.

New legislation was introduced on 18 May 2007 requiring all ships over 15 m in length (for example 15.01 m) to have insurance sufficient to pay for potential pollution clean up, salvage and wreck removal. More information about ship insurance requirements.

Registration symbols
Your ship will be allocated registration symbols. 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 m away

Find out more about operating a personal watercraft in Queensland.

Unlike motor vehicles, personalised registration numbers are not available for registered recreational ships.

Registration label
When you register your ship or personal watercraft a registration label will be issued. For a ship the registration label  must be placed on the exterior of the ship in a conspicuous place above the waterline on the port (left) side. The registration label on a personal watercraft 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 75 mm 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.

Renewing registration
You will receive a notice of renewal in the mail about five weeks before registration is due to expire.

If you do not intend to renew your registration by the due date, you are required by law to remove the registration numbers and apply for cancellation of the registration immediately. Fines apply for driving an unregistered ship.

If your ship registration renewal fees are not received within a short period after the due date, action will commence to automatically cancel the registration. Once automatic cancellation occurs, registration will not be reinstated. You will need to apply for new registration and new registration numbers will be issued.

Selling a ship
When a registered ship is sold, it is the responsibility of the new owner to lodge an application for recreational ship registration transfer (PDF**, 177KB) within 14 days at a Queensland Transport customer service centre.

Registration may be cancelled if the ship is no longer used in Queensland, is withdrawn from service, or no longer meets registration requirements.

Moving a ship from interstate
If you move to Queensland with a ship that meets registration requirements, you need to apply for Queensland registration within 14 days. Queensland Transport customer service centres can help you with this.

Registering your boat trailer
For information about how to register your boat trailer contact a Queensland Transport customer service centre.

Licensing
A licence is required to operate a recreational ship with a motor greater than 4.5 kW (over 6 hp). Find out about recreational marine driver licences and personal watercraft licences.

Changing your address or requesting a new registration label
You can change your address or request a new registration label through services online.

Capacity labels
All registrable recreational ships, with the exception of sailing ships, must have a capacity label fitted near each steering position.

Capacity labels are available from Queensland Transport customer service centres or order online. More information about capacity labels.

Australian Builders Plate
To enhance the safety of new recreational ships, the Australian Builders Plate is required for new and imported recreational ships built from 1 July 2006. It provides essential safety information on the uses and limitations of most new and imported recreational boats.

More information about the Australian Builders Plate. 

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bOperates Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays. Local call charge in Australia. Higher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. For international callers phone +61 7 3834 2011 this service operates Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays.

Last updated 03 July 2008