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Fishing licence in Australia: what anglers need

In Australia each state sets its own fishing rules. New South Wales and Victoria require a fee or licence for all waters; Queensland, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT mostly don't.

Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.

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Freshwater
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Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Australia?

At sea it varies by state. New South Wales requires the Recreational Fishing Fee and Victoria a licence for all waters. In Western Australia you need a licence to fish from a powered boat, usually not from the shore. In Tasmania rod and line fishing at sea is free, but rock lobster, abalone and nets need a licence. The Northern Territory and South Australia require no licence.

Source: NSW DPIRD Recreational fishing fee

Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Australia?

In freshwater, New South Wales and Victoria require the same fee or licence as at sea. Western Australia has its own licence for freshwater angling in the south-west. In Tasmania, everyone aged 14 and over needs an Inland Fisheries Service licence for all inland waters. In Queensland you need a permit (SIPS) from age 18 only at more than 60 stocked dams. The ACT requires no licence in its public waters.

Source: NSW DPIRD

How much is a fishing licence in Australia?

Examples: New South Wales Recreational Fishing Fee (covers freshwater and saltwater): 3 days AUD 7, 1 month AUD 14, 1 year AUD 35, 3 years AUD 85 (retrieved Oct 13, 2026). Western Australia: fishing from a powered boat AUD 40, south-west freshwater AUD 50, each for 12 months (DPIRD WA search excerpt, date unclear). Other states: see each agency's page.

Source: NSW DPIRD Recreational fishing fee

Where do you buy a fishing licence for Australia?

You can buy online in New South Wales through Service NSW, in Victoria through Service Victoria, in Western Australia through DPIRD, in Tasmania through the agency sites, and the Queensland dam permit online, by phone or at certain Australia Post outlets.

Source: Service NSW (Suchauszug)

What about children, teens and seniors?

Varies by state: New South Wales from 18, Victoria from 18 to 69, Queensland dams from 18, Tasmania inland waters from 14, Western Australia freshwater from 16.

Source: VFA

What applies to visitors from abroad?

There is no separate tourist licence; visitors buy the same licence as locals. Licences from other states or countries are not valid in New South Wales or Western Australia, and the Victorian licence is only valid in Victoria.

Source: NSW DPI Fishing Guide (Suchauszug)

Which catch and take-home rules apply?

Each state sets its own bag and possession limits, size limits and closed areas. In New South Wales you must carry the payment receipt while fishing, in Queensland the dam permit. Selling your catch is illegal in the Northern Territory and South Australia.

Source: NSW DPIRD

What else should you know?

In the ACT you need no licence, but Googong Reservoir follows New South Wales rules and therefore its fee. In Western Australia the boat licence also covers crabbing or spearfishing from a powered boat. In the Northern Territory, tidal waters over Aboriginal land may need a registration or permit.

Source: ACT Government

Official licence pages by state or region

Each state or region sells its own licence. These are the official agency pages.

Not confirmed yet

Prices for Victoria, Tasmania and the Queensland permit not checked. Queensland: that no licence is needed at sea is not stated word for word in an official source. South Australia: permits for individual reservoirs not checked in detail.

Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.

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Sources (4)

Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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