Licensing & forms

From 18 November 2022 new commercial fishing licensing arrangements are in place, including longer-term commercial fishing licences, the removal of commercial fishing boat licences and new maximum boat lengths for some fisheries. See fact sheets for more information:

Commercial Fishing Licence renewals

Online Renewal Process

FisherDirect account holders have the option to renew their licences online. Online account holders will see their licence renewals as pending transactions on the home screen and can simply follow links to complete transactions.

Fishers choosing to renew their licences entirely online, including payment, have the benefit of immediate renewal.  Plastic licence cards will be issued once renewal is completed, unless digital authorities are held. Digital authority holders have immediate access to their renewed commercial fishing licence via the FisherMobile app.

If you want to renew online you can apply for a FisherDirect account by downloading the form from the FishOnline website.

For information about digital authorities, visit the FishOnline website.

Payment by instalment

The ability to pay for licences by instalments is not available due to the introduction of the online renewal process.  All licence renewal fees must be paid in full at the time of renewal.

Management Fees

The snapshot date for 2023/24 Management fees will be held as at 11 August 2023 at 9.00am.

  • The 1st instalment of the 2023/24 fees will be due payable 30 September 2023.
  • The 2nd instalment of the 2023/24 fees will be due payable 28 February 2024.
  • The 3rd instalment of the 2023/24 fees will be due payable 31 May 2024.

Application Fees

Before submitting an application form, please refer to the "Schedule of Commercial Fishing Fees and Charges" (see below) to determine the appropriate application fee. Note that the costs of specific licensing and quota management services are recovered through transaction fees. The fees are adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price index (CPI).

Transfer of a Fishing Business or Components of a Fishing Business (e.g. Shares)

Persons wishing to transfer and/or acquire fishing businesses, shares or components of a fishing business should complete the form titled "Application for Approval of Transfer of Components of a Fishing Business" Applicants should be aware that there are specific rules relating to the transfer of shares, endorsements and components of fishing businesses. Applicants should ensure they are familiar with these transfer rules prior to submitting an application. The rules are detailed under Part 10 Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2019.

For any other queries regarding these rules please contact DPI on 1300 720 662 or seek your own independent legal advice.

If your application relates to a deceased estate, please contact NSW DPI on the above number prior to submitting your application as additional information may be required.

Important Notice: Please be advised that you should not make any financial commitments in relation to the trading of shares or other fishing business components until the application has been approved by NSW DPI and you have been formally notified of the approval.

For further information on the rules applying to a fishery refer to the DPI commercial fishing webpages at:

You should also consider any legislative requirements under other Acts administered by other state and federal agencies (refer to relevant legislation at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au).

Application forms

To access a form, simply click on the link below and print. The form can then be completed and submitted by mailing to:


Commercial Fisheries Customer Services
NSW DPI
LMB 3020
NOWRA NSW 2541

Title Details
Application to register or renew your registration as a NSW Fish Receiver. Form.pdf
PDF, 175.8 KB
Application for Eastern Rock Lobster tags.pdf
PDF, 46.1 KB
Application Form - Approved Premises
PDF, 70.5 KB
Form 2: Application for a Commercial Fishing Licence
PDF, 146.1 KB
Form 4: Application to Nominate and Revoke Nominations
PDF, 137.9 KB
Form 6: Application to Revoke Nomination
PDF, 142.9 KB
Form 7: Application for Replacement Fishing Authority
PDF, 121.1 KB
Form 8: Application for Approval of Transfer of Components of a Fishing Business
PDF, 268.7 KB
Form 10: Application to Register, Release or Discharge a Mortgage/Interest over Shares
PDF, 143.6 KB
Form 12 - Nomination of boat for Ocean Trawl Prawning effort quota incl ....pdf
PDF, 129.8 KB
Form 15: Application for Transfer of Quota
PDF, 224.3 KB
Form 22: Marine Vegetation Collection for Commercial Purposes Permit Application
Form 24: Application for an Authority to take fish for Aboriginal cultural fishing purposes
PDF, 153.8 KB
Form CB2 - Application to transfer a NSW charter fishing business
PDF, 116.6 KB

Additional information

Title Details
Business Efficiency Program update and licensing changes – January 2022
PDF, 662.4 KB
Policy Number TI-O-130: Debt management - Commercial fisheries quota transfer restrictions
Commercial Fisheries Threatened and Protected Species Interaction Reporting Form
PDF, 70.8 KB
Additional endorsement/licence conditions register
PDF, 61.1 KB
Schedule of Commercial Fishing Fees and Charges
PDF, 108.1 KB
Marine Vegetation Collection for Commercial Purposes - Information Kit
List of boats exempt from the maximum boat length that applies to a fishery (or fishing activity).
PDF, 107.5 KB

Share Management Plans and other Legislation

Title Details
Fisheries Management Act 1994
Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2019
Fisheries Management (Supporting Plan) Regulation 2006
Fisheries Management (Ocean Trawl Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006
Fisheries Management (Ocean Trap and Line Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006
Fisheries Management (Estuary General Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006
Fisheries Management (Estuary Prawn Trawl Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006
Fisheries Management (Ocean Haul Share Management Plan) Regulation 2006
Fisheries Management (Lobster Share Management Plan) Regulation 2000
Fisheries Management (Abalone Share Management Plan) Regulation 2000
Summary of current & upcoming boat licensing NSW Ocean Trawl Fishery (including Southern Fish Trawl).pdf
PDF, 656.8 KB