Licensing & forms
- NSW Commercial Fisheries Administration Guide (PDF, 1871.21 KB)
- Business Efficiency Program update and licensing changes – January 2022 (PDF, 662.35 KB)
- Info-graphic current and upcoming boat licencing NSW Ocean Trawl Fishery (including Southern Fish Trawl)
Commercial Fishing Licence & Fishing Boat 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.
Issue of new Commercial Fishing Licences and Fishing Boat Licences
Applications received during the renewal period (May-June), will be issued for a 13-14 month period. These licences will be charged the pro rata fee from May-June in addition to the annual renewal fee. All licences will expire 30 June 2023.
Fishing Boat Licences
From 1 July 2018, you only require a fishing boat licence if you are conducting certain fishing activities, known as “declared commercial fishing boat activities”. You do not need a boat licence for:
- a boat 6 metres or less in Ocean Hauling: Hauling Net (General Purpose),
- a boat 10 metres or less in the Estuary General or Estuary Prawn Trawl fishery, or
- a boat 20 metres or less in Ocean Hauling: Garfish Net (Hauling) or Ocean Hauling: Pilchard Anchovy Bait Net (Hauling).
From 1 May 2019, you do not require a boat licence for boats 20 metres or less in Ocean Trawl Inshore Prawn, Offshore Prawn or Fish Northern Zone.
All other activities that involve the use of a boat are “declared fishing boat activities” and require a boat licence.
For more information please see New boat licensing arrangements fact sheet (PDF, 49.1 KB).
Management Fees
The snapshot date for 2022/23 Management fees will be held as at 12 August 2022 at 9.00am.
- The 1st instalment of the 2022/23 fees will be due payable 30 September 2022.
- The 2nd instalment of the 2022/23 fees will be due payable 28 February 2023.
- The 3rd instalment of the 2022/23 fees will be due payable 31 May 2023.
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:
- www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/commercial/fisheries, and
- www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/closures, and
- contact the Manager for the fishery concerned.
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
