Exemption 1—Marine Safety (Vessel identifiers)

You do not need approval from us to use this exemption.

All domestic commercial vessels are required to have and display a unique identifier unless exempt.

What this exemption will allow you to do

Exemption 01 exempts the following vessels from the requirement to obtain and display a unique identifier:

• A vessel that is registered and marked in accordance with the Shipping Registration Act 1981.
• A tender vessel which prominently and clearly displays either: 
  • the words ‘Tender to’ followed by the name or unique vessel identifier of its parent vessel
  • the name of the owner of the vessel followed by the word ‘tender’
  • the unique vessel identifier of its parent vessel followed by ‘– T’.
• A human powered vessel that is covered by a certificate of operation.
• A sailing vessel that is <7.5m long that is covered by a certificate of operation.

Exemption 01 exempts the following vessels from the requirement to display a unique identifier only (they are still required to obtain one): 

• A human powered vessel, other than a Class 1 vessel that is not covered by a certificate of operation.
• A sailing vessel, other than a Class 1 passenger vessel that:
  • is not covered by a certificate of operation
  • is less than 7.5 metres long
  • has no auxiliary engine, or an auxiliary engine of less than or equal to 3.5 kilowatts propulsion power. 
• A personal watercraft used in an aerial freestyle device operation.

Legislation and incorporated material

• Marine Order 502 (Vessel identifiers—national law) 
• National Standard for Commercial Vessels

Related information

• Certificates of operation 
• Fees, levies, and payments 
• Unique vessel identifiers
• Tenders and auxiliary vessels

Superseded

• Exemption 01 – In force 16 August 2018 (PDF 83.72 KB)
• Exemption 01 – In force 1 July 2017 (PDF 194.97 KB)
• Exemption 01 – In force 1 July 2016 (PDF 141.37 KB)
• Exemption 01 – In force 1 July 2013 (PDF 26.84 KB)