Vessel Registration Decal Requirements

Each state and territory has slightly different requirements for the registration numbers on the side of marine vessels. Below are each state and territories requirements.

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.

New South Wales

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.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT Government does not have a boat licence or registration scheme. ACT residents wishing to obtain a boat licence or register a boat should contact another state or territory’s relevant agency, such as NSW Roads and Maritime Services.

Victoria

The registration label must be kept fixed in a clearly visible position on the outside or upper portion of the vessel.

The vessel identification number (registration number) must be displayed on each side of the hull of the vessel, forward of the beam, so that the highest part of each digit starts at a point no more than 75 millimetres (25 millimetres for personal watercraft) below the gunwale, and:

no less than 150 millimetres high (100mm for personal watercraft)
in proportionate breadth and
coloured in contrast to the surface on which they are displayed.

Tasmania

On successful application of registration, MAST will issue a unique registration number. Registration numbers must be 150mm high and displayed on each side of the vessel. Registration numbers on a PWC may be 75mm.

South Australia

Your boat registration number is shown on the certificate of registration or on a tax receipt you will receive. The registration number issued to the boat must be painted or displayed on both sides of the vessel towards the bow in figures at least 15cm high so as to be clearly legible at a distance of 50 metres while the boat is underway in clear weather. For boats less than 3 metres in length, registration numbers must be at least 10cm high and clearly legible from 50 metres. The numbers should be placed on a vertical surface. In cases where the bow is excessively flared making display of the registration numbers difficult, approval may be granted to display the numbers closer to the centre of the hull or on each side of the cabin. Registration numbers must be of a contrasting colour to the surface on which they are displayed. They may be displayed using stick-on numbers or may be painted on. In addition to the above requirements to display the registration number and registration label, owners/ operators of personal watercraft (PWC) must ensure that a ‘Ride Smart’ (Code of Conduct) sticker is displayed near the vessel controls. If your PWC does not have a ‘Ride Smart’ sticker displayed, a sticker may be obtained from any Customer Service Centre. It is an offence to operate a PWC without a ‘Ride Smart’ sticker displayed in the correct position.

Western Australia

Power boats: Midship on the side or superstructure, clearly visible and not under the flare of the bow (numbers to be 150 mm tall and not less than 25mm wide). Where the background of each digit is not white, each digit of the number shall have a white surround not less than 7 millimetres in width; and each digit of the number shall be of plain block design and not script and be vertical and not slanting.
Personal Water Craft: the number shall be positioned so as to be easily visible; each digit of the number shall be not less than 100 millimetres in height, and not less than 25 millimetres in width; where the background of each digit is not white, each digit of the number shall have a white surround not less than 7 millimetres in width; each digit of the number shall be of plain block design and not script and be vertical and not slanting
Yachts fitted for motors: On the side of the hull immediately forward of the transom (numbers to be 50 mm tall).
Tenders: Must have parent vessel's number on each side, forward of the transom.

The registration identification label is to be fixed to the port (left) side of the vessel, next to the registration number.

Northern Territory

Recreational boats in the Northern Territory (NT) do not need registration.

You are also not required to hold a licence to drive them.

But you must follow:

minimum requirements for safety equipment, including any exemptions that are applicable
marine rules and regulations.

If you fail to follow the marine regulations, you may get infringement notices from boating inspectors or the police.

Read the Marine (General) Regulations 2013 and the Marine Act 1981. There are penalties for not complying with these regulations.