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AMSA Ship Registration

Registering a vessel on the Australian general shipping register

Ships registered on the Australian general shipping register have Australian nationality.

Registration of a vessel on the Australian general shipping register provides legally and internationally recognisable nationality to your ship. When registered, you will have Australian protection on the high seas and in foreign ports.

Australian owned ships are required to be registered on the Australian general shipping register if it is one of the following:

  • a commercial vessel, 24 metres or over in tonnage length, capable of navigating the high seas
  • any vessel travelling overseas.

The following vessels are exempt from the requirement to be registered (except if they are travelling overseas):

  • pleasure craft
  • fishing vessels
  • government vessels.

These vessels are permitted to be registered and may be registered on the Australian general shipping register if the owner chooses to do so.

Australian registered recreational vessels may also require state registration. If you need to find out whether you need state registration, contact your local state marine safety agency.

How to register your vessel

To register your vessel on the Australian general shipping register, you need to:

Confirm your ship is eligible :

Your ship is eligible if it fits one of these categories:

  • It is Australian owned
  • It is on demise charter to an Australian based operator
  • It is less than 12 metres in length, owned or operated by an Australian resident

Provide the required documents:

You will need to complete the following:

  • Application for registration (form 168)
  • Declaration of ownership and nationality (form 208)
  • Notice of appointment of registered agent (form 157)
  • Builder’s certificate or
  • Statutory declaration for builder’s certificate
  • Bill of sale
  • Ownership history
  • The deletion/closure document (for vessels that have been on a foreign registry)

Provide supporting documents:

There may be other documents, certificates and forms you need to complete. If any of the documents listed below apply to you, make sure you include them in your application:

  • Tonnage certificate—for commercial vessels 24 metres and over in tonnage length.
  • Copy of a call sign licence (if you have been issued with one)
  • Evidence of closure on the foreign register (if your vessel has been registered on one).

There isn’t much our team doesn’t know about Australian Ship Registration, so give our team a call with any questions you have.

+61 7 5526 4144

The Boat Works
199 Beattie Road Coomera Q

[email protected]
[email protected]

Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm

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