Trust Funding Summary

390,146
licenses

NSW Recreational Fishing Licenses sold

$14.7
million

Revenue received from fishing fees (licenses)

$18.4
million

Drawn from the Trusts to fund projects

Financial Summary

Funding of $18.4 million was drawn from the Trusts in 2022–23 to support a wide range of projects that improve recreational fishing. Revenue received in 2022–23 from fishing fees (licenses) totalled $14.7 million (compared with $15.7 million in 2021–22).

The closing balance for the Trusts at 30 June 2023 was $18.5 million (compared with $20.7 million at 30 June 2022).

Licence Sales

Recreational fishing licence sales (new and renewals) increased to 390,146 during 2022-23, compared to 376,363 in 2021–22. Recreational fishers purchased their licenses through a variety of different channels in 2022-23, with online sales being the most popular option, accounting for 82% of sales (compared with 82% in 2021–22).

Recreational fishing licence types sold in 2022-23

0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
  • 3 Days
  • 1 Month
  • 1 Year
  • 3 Years

Licence fees at work

Since 2001, over 3,300 large and small projects have received funding from the Trusts, with almost 3,000 projects completed. Of the 351 existing projects, 135 were approved for funding in 2022-23 worth $23.8 million.

In 2022-23, funding of $18.4 million was drawn from the Recreational Fishing Trusts to support a wide range of projects that improve recreational fishing.

Learn more about the priority funding areas:

Fisheries Enhancement
Fishing Facilities & Access
Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation
Research
Education & Promotion
Fisheries Officers

135 Projects

Total Value

$23.8 million

View/Hide chart as table
Area % value of total Number of projects Total value of projects
Fisheries Enhancement 22.3% 22 $5.3 million
Fishing Facilities and Access 10.9% 33 $2.6 million
Research 15.5% 27 $3.7 million
Aquatic habitat rehabilitation 11.4% 12 $2.7 million
Education & promotion 13.5% 27 $3.2 million
Trust program delivery 4.1% 7 $968,166
Fisheries officers 11.8% 3 $2.8 million
Licence payment system 7.3% 3 $1.7 million
GLS fees 3.2% 1 $775,000

Trust Management & Administration

Funds from the Recreational Fishing Trusts are used to support the administration of the recreational fishing licence fee and the management of the Trusts, including management of grants, to ensure transparent and accountable governance arrangements.

Learn more about the Trusts