Fishing Licence

Every state and territory in Australia sets its own fishing rules, so there is no single national fishing licence.

To help you out, we’ve put together a list below. Some states and territories also let you buy licences at tackle shops.

Not every Australian state asks you to buy a recreational fishing licence. Where it is needed, most people will need one to fish. Each state has its own set of exceptions, so check with your local state for details. Common exemptions include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people on the Aged Pension or Disability Support Pension, and children under a certain age.

If you’re fishing on the Murray River, even from the Victorian side, you’ll need a New South Wales fishing licence. The Murray River follows NSW rules, not Victoria’s.

Remember, fishing licences are checked quite often. Authorities do random checks on boats, piers, and riverbanks. The money from licences helps pay for things like fish-cleaning stations, better jetties and piers, creating local reefs, stocking rivers with fish like trout, and supporting scientific research.

So, here are the websites for each state where you can find more information:orian Fishing Licence – VFA Website. New South Wales Fishing Licenses – Service NSW Website Queensland No Recreational Fishing License Required – QLD Department of Fisheries Tasmania, Fishing Licensing – DPIPWE Tasmania Website South Australia – No Fishing License Required: Government of South Australia Fisheries Website Western Australia Fishing License – Fish WA Government Website Northern Territory Rules & Regulations – NT Marine Website Canberra & ACT Regulations – Access Canberra Government Website. While fishing licences might seem like a hassle or just a way for governments to raise money, they do have benefits. Fish stocks are limited and need our care, which sometimes requires government action. A state-based system of rules and regulations, rather than an Australian fishing licence, means the appropriate funds are better spent on local projects and not lost in the much larger federal-level bureaucracy.

This is different from many other public funding sources. States get to decide how to use the money, which is usually a good thing. As citizens, we should make sure these choices meet our needs as anglers and also protect fish and the environment.

Do Pensioners Need A Fishing License in Victoria?

If you hold a Victorian Seniors Card or are the recipient of a Commonwealth Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension (DSP – aka “Invalid Pension”), then you do not need a Victorian fishing license.

This rule also applies if you are registered as a Permanently Incapacitated Person or receive a Service Pension.

Do Australian Indigenous Persons Need A Fishing License In Victoria?

Members of a “traditional owner group” within a traditional owner area do not need a fishing license. This applies to Australian Indigenous persons, including Aboriginal and Koori people.

What Age Do You Need an AA Fishing Licence?

In most Australian states, you must be 18 and under 70 to hold a fishing license. This applies in states where a fishing license is normally required, such as Victoria and New South Wales. States such as QLD and the NT do not require a fishing license at any age except in certain impoundments.

If I Fish The Murray River On The Victorian Side, Do I Need A NSW Fishing License?

Yes, in most cases. The bank of the Murray River on the Victorian side belongs to NSW and is subject to NSW fishing regulations. Victorians must possess an NSW fishing licence if they do not fit into an NSW exemption. The exceptions are Lake Mulwala and Lake Hume. Lake Mulwala is subject to NSW regulations, and Lake Hume is subject to Victorian regulations.

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