Australia is a great place for boating and water activities, thanks to its varied waterways. But, to stay safe, it’s important to know that life jacket rules differ a lot between states. This can affect boaters moving from one region to another. Our guide provides a clear overview of life jacket regulations across Australia, aiming to help you understand these variations easily. This way, you can enjoy the water safely and follow local laws.
National Life Jacket Standards in Australia
A lifejacket also called a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or buoyancy vest, helps keep you afloat in water, significantly boosting your chances of survival. Each state has its own rules on wearing a life jacket, but the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) sets the country-wide safety standards for recreational boats. AMSA requires that all boats carry a suitable life jacket for every person onboard. However, state and territory authorities usually decide when these life jackets must be worn.
Types of Life Jackets
Level 50
Previously called “Type 2”, Level 50 life jackets can keep people afloat in water but lack neck support. This means that if someone is unconscious, it won’t keep their head above water, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. These jackets are best for calm waters like rivers and lakes where there are no waves to raise the risk of drowning. They are also brightly coloured to make sure wearers can be easily spotted in case of an emergency but you can wear dark coloured and camo life jackets as well as the main purpose of a life jacket is to keep you afloat..
Level 100+
Marine Safety Regulations require a Level 100+ life jacket for boat trips into open water. Previously called “Type 1,” these life jackets provide strong floatation, mainly due to the neck support that keeps the wearer’s face above water, especially if they’re unconscious.
There are two kinds of life jackets for those over Level 100:
Inflatable
Inflatable life jackets blow up using carbon dioxide and are super buoyant. They’re often considered as more comfortable than standard foam-filled PFDs and easy to move around in, equipped with either an auto inflate feature that triggers in water or a manual option to inflate.
Non-inflatable
Although it might seem odd, non-inflatable life jackets, typically made from foam, provide much needed buoyancy immediately. Plus, they’re always ready to float, eliminating the worry of inflation failure.Usually these type of life jackets are cheaper and serve as backups or PFDs for extra people who might join a boating trip occasionally
Level 150
A Level 150 life jacket is designed for rough conditions. People working offshore on rigs or commercial boats in the open ocean should use Level 275 life jackets. These jackets ensure the wearer can breathe safely in rough conditions, even when wearing heavy clothing.
State-Specific Life Jacket Regulations
Queensland
- When crossing a designated coastal bar in an open boat under 4.8m in length, a life jacket should be worn all time.
- If you’re under 12 years old (at least one year old but under 12) and you’re in an open boat under 4.8m in length and the boat is moving, you must wear a life jacket.
- When using a personal watercraft, often called a ‘jet ski,’ you should wear a life jacket.
QLD law states:
- Boat owners or skippers must tell everyone on board where the safety equipment is stored, especially lifejackets. They should mark the lifejacket storage spot with a label that says ‘life jacket’ in red on a white background or in white on a red background.
- Lifejackets must meet certain standards and show which Australian Standard (AS) they follow. The latest standard is AS 4758, which updated the older AS 1512-1996, AS 1499-1996, and AS 2260-1996.
- If you had life jackets from the old standards (AS 1512, AS 1499, or AS 2260) on your ship before September 1, 2016, and they’re still in good condition, you can still use them.
Please read this blog along with the above information to understand the requirements for the waters where you’ll be boating: Life Jacket Rules in QLD.
New South Wales
- You must wear a lifejacket when you are 12 and above– children under 12 have specific rules.
- When the risk level is considered high, you must never take off your life jacket
- Type of vessel you’re on effects the type of life jacket worn
- Location – for instance, enclosed waters, alpine waters, open waters, or crossing coastal bars requires different types of life jackets.
NSW law states:
- Lifejackets must be an approved type that meets Australian standards
- Level 50S or above on enclosed waters
- Level 100 or above on open waters.
- Children under 12 must wear a lifejacket at all times on all vessels up to 4.8m long and in open areas of all vessels up to 8m long when the vessel is underway.
Please read this blog along with the above information to understand the requirements for the waters where you’ll be boating:. Check it out here.
Western Australia
- Everyone on board must have a lifejacket (Level 100 or higher).
- Children between the ages of 1 and 12 are required to wear a lifejacket (Level 100 or higher) on board.
- Everyone on a personal watercraft must always wear a lifejacket (minimum level 50s), no matter the water conditions.
- If you’re more than 400 metres from shore in open waters, everyone on board needs to wear a lifejacket (at least level 50s).
- If you’re more than 400 metres from shore in open waters, ensure everyone on board has a lifejacket (at least level 50s).
WA law states:
- Everyone on board vessels shorter than 4.8 metres must wear a lifejacket (Level 100 or higher).
- Carry a GPS-enabled EPIRB or wear a GPS-enabled PLB. Upgrade to a GPS-enabled EPIRB by September 1, 2028.
- You should have at least 2 handheld red and 2 handheld orange flares on board. You can use parachute flares instead of red handheld flares, but only until September 1, 2026.
- Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) can be used instead of flares, but only if you have a GPS-enabled EPIRB or wear a GPS-enabled PLB.
- Carry a marine radio if you’re going more than 4 nautical miles from shore. Note that 27-MHz radios will not be compliant after September 1, 2028.
Please read this blog along with the above information to understand the requirements for the waters where you’ll be boating: clicking here.
South Australia
- All boats in South Australian waters need to have certain safety equipment on board, which varies based on the boat’s size, type, and where it’s used.
- For certain types of boats and activities, you are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times.
- Children must wear life jackets in all open areas of a boat to stay safe, as help might not be available during an emergency.
- Children should not wear a life jacket inside a deckhouse, cabin, or any secure enclosed space to ensure they can escape easily if there’s an incident.
- You must wear a life jacket within 2 minutes of landing in the water.
SA law states:
- The type of lifejacket you need depends on various factors, like the kind of vessel you’re on, your age, where you are, and the conditions at sea.
- Starting January 1, 2025, lifejackets that comply with older Australian Standards (AS 1512, AS 1499, and AS 2260) will not be permitted for use in South Australia.
- Lifejacket must adhere to the Australian Standard 4758 (AS 4758). This standard includes lifejackets of the following levels: Level 150 or above, Level 100, Level 50, Level 50S (Special Purpose)
Please read this blog along with the above information to understand the requirements for the waters where you’ll be boating: clicking here.
Conclusion
In summary, life jackets are a paramount safety requirement that must be worn at all times on a boat, emphasising the importance of adhering to life jacket regulations. Compliance with these rules is important not only from a legal standpoint in various regions, including Western and South Australia, but also for personal safety and the well-being of others on the water. When moving between states, it’s important to check the life jacket regulations for your destination, as we’ve covered in this blog. Keep in mind, the information is up to date as of May 2024, but rules can change. Always look at the most recent guidelines. For the latest on life jacket laws, we suggest checking the Queensland govt official website, NSW govt official website, Western Australia govt official website and South Australia govt official website. These are all official sources that stay current with any legal adjustments.