Registration Number #3 Outline

The requirements for the display of registration numbers will vary, from state to state.

Find a guide for each state below, however you should make your own enquiries to ensure compliance

New South Wales and ACT

All vessels in NSW must display a registration number.

It must be displayed:

• on both sides of the hull, or on the transom if it’s a sailing boat
• in solid and clear text, in contrasting colour to the hull
• in numerals and uppercase letters
• for powerboats, a minimum 150mm high
• for sailing boats and PWC, a minimum 100mm high
• well above the normal waterline so it can be seen at all times.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/boat-and-vessel-registration/vessel-labels-and-id/what-to-display

Queensland 

You must display registration numbers so they can be read from 30m away and in a contrasting colour to the hull of the boat. The size of the registration numbers depends on the type of boat:

• Boats capable of planing—at least 150mm high on both sides.
• Boats not capable of planing—at least 75mm high on both sides or the stern.
• PWCs— must be at least 100mm high and on both sides.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/boating/registration/recreational

Victoria

The owner of a registered recreational vessel, other than personal watercraft, must ensure that the identification mark (assigned by VicRoads) is painted or displayed:

• on each side of the hull of the vessel
• forward of the beam
• so that the highest part of each digit commences at a point no more than 75 mm below the gunwale
• in characters that are:
  • no less than 150 mm high
  • in proportionate breadth
  • coloured in contrast to the surface on which they are displayed.

If you own a Victorian registered PWC, you must ensure that the identification mark assigned for your PWC is painted or displayed in appropriate characters:

1. on each side of the hull of the vessel
2. forward of the beam
3. so that the highest part of each digit commences at a point no more than 25 mm below the gunwale.

‘Appropriate’ means characters that are:

1. no less than 100 mm high
2. in proportionate breadth, and
3. coloured in contrast to the surface on which they are displayed.

https://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety/recreational-boating/buying-and-registering-your-vessel/identification

https://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety/recreational-boating/personal-watercraft

Western Australia

Your registration sticker must be fixed to the port (left) side of the vessel, next to the registration number.

Each digit of the registration number must be:

• Black
• Plain block font design
• Vertically positioned – not slanting.
• Clearly visible

If the vessel hull is not white, each digit should have a minimum white surround of 7 millimetres.

Motor boats

• Position on both sides of the vessel where clearly visible.
• Each number and letter must be at least 150 mm tall and 25mm wide.

Personal water craft

• Position on both sides of hull or midship, clearly visible not under the flare of the bow.
• Each number and letter must be at least 150 mm tall and 25mm wide.

(https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/recreational-boat-registration.asp)

South Australia

The registration number must be:

• painted or displayed on both sides of the vessel, towards the bow
• displayed on a vertical surface
• in a contrasting colour to the surface on which it is placed
• for vessels 3 metres or longer, at least 150 mm high and clearly legible from 50 metres away while the vessel is underway in clear weather
• for vessels less than 3 metres long, at least 100 mm high and clearly legible from 50 metres away while the vessel is underway in clear weather.

(https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/boating-and-marine/boat-registration/replacing-boat-labels-and-certificates#:~:text=for%20vessels%203%20metres%20or,is%20underway%20in%20clear%20weather.)

Tasmania

• Registration numbers must be 150mm high and displayed on each side of the vessel
• Registration numbers on a PWC may be 75mm

(https://mast.tas.gov.au/registration/how-to-register-a-boat/)