Permits

Aquaculture permits authorise farmers to undertake aquaculture in NSW. An aquaculture permit will define the species that the permit holder is authorised to cultivate and the areas in which they can undertake this cultivation. An aquaculture permit will also state the conditions that the permit holder must comply with.

Classes of permit for land based aquaculture

There are several different classes of aquaculture permit. For the land-based sector, these may be:

Class C

This class of permit authorises extensive aquaculture on freehold or leasehold land. The area authorised by the permit is called an aquaculture farm. Extensive aquaculture means that supplementary feeding is not undertaken. For example, this class of permit would be used to cultivate Yabbies in farm dams. It may also be used to operate a nursery for molluscs.

Class D

This class of permit authorises intensive aquaculture on freehold or leasehold land. The area authorised by the permit is called an aquaculture farm. Intensive aquaculture means that supplementary feeding can be undertaken.

This class of permit would be used to cultivate finfish in a purpose built pond or tank system.

Class E

This class of permit authorises extensive aquaculture at two or more privately owned locations (freehold or leasehold land). It authorises the same aquaculture activity as a class C permit but at multiple aquaculture farms.

Class F

This class of permit authorises a fish-out, which is a tourist operation where anglers can pay to fish in private ponds or tanks.

Class H

This class of permit authorises a fish hatchery. The hatchery would be located on an aquaculture farm. A hatchery is where the progeny of fish or marine vegetation are produced for the purpose of selling them.

This class of permit may authorise a hatchery for molluscs. It may authorise the cultivation of ornamental fish in facilities with a total production volume greater than 10,000 litres.

Permit conditions

All aquaculture permits have conditions that the permit holders must comply with. Standard and specific permit conditions can be viewed on the permit conditions page.

Permit holder responsibilities

Permit holders must be aware of their obligations under the Fisheries legislation:

Fisheries Management Act 1994 No 38 - NSW Legislation (the Act)
Fisheries Management (Aquaculture) Regulation 2024 (the Regulation)

If a permit holder does not meet their obligations, action may be taken against their aquaculture permit. For more information, see the permit and lease holder responsibilities factsheet.