EXCLUSIVE
Data sourced by Watercraft Zone has revealed NSW Maritime is already the best resourced waterway authority in Australia – with more than twice the number of boats and Jet Skis used for enforcement than Queensland.
This is despite the fact Queensland authorities monitor more than 1 million boat licence holders, and NSW authorities need to monitor less than half that amount.
The raw numbers – sourced from authorities in Queensland and NSW – pour cold water on the NSW Government’s justification for record high licence fee increases due to come into force from 1 July 2024.
The NSW Government says fee increases are necessary to better resource NSW Maritime to enforce waterway safety.
However, the NSW Government has already pocketed a 44 per cent increase in Jet Ski licence fees over the past five years – raising an additional $5.9 million annually, based on conservative estimates.
Furthermore, as this exclusive data shows, NSW Maritime already has triple the number of Jet Skis used for enforcement compared to Maritime Safety Queensland.
There are 30 Jet Skis operated by NSW Maritime versus 10 Jet Skis operated by Maritime Safety Queensland, according to data sourced by Watercraft Zone from both government agencies.
And there are 92 boats operated by NSW Maritime versus 49 boats operated by Maritime Safety Queensland.
The numbers are even more compelling when you consider Maritime Safety Queensland monitors more than 1 million boat licence holders and 260,000 Jet Ski licence holders.
In comparison, NSW Maritime – which has more enforcement vessels than Queensland – only needs to monitor 460,00 boat licence holders and 90,000 Jet Ski licence holders.
A statement issued to Watercraft Zone by Transport for NSW soon after boating and Jet Ski licence fee increases were announced said:
“NSW Maritime acknowledges the concerns regarding fee increases and their impact on our customers.
“However, ensuring the safety of everyone on our waterways remains our top priority.
“The recently announced increases to General Boat and Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski) Licence and Registrations, effective 1 July 2024, are necessary to allow us to continue conducting vital safety activities and invest in critical infrastructure to keep everyone safe on our waterways.”
The Boating Industry Association has made repeated calls for NSW Transport Minister, Jo Haylen, to intervene and ask NSW Maritime to abandon its shock plan to apply record high licence fees for boats and Jet Skis from 1 July 2024.
MORE: Renewed calls for urgent review into NSW Jet Ski licence fee increases
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The Boating Industry Association – on behalf of the Jet Ski community – has held meetings with senior officials from NSW Transport and NSW Maritime in recent weeks.
However there are grave concerns the NSW Government will not review its plan to increase licence fees for Jet Skis and boats to record levels.
The NSW Government is trying to plug a $12 billion black hole in its budget after the Federal Government slashed GST revenue to Australia’s most populous state.
NSW Jet Ski licence fees were already the most expensive in the world, even before the proposed increases – which will take a 10-year licence to almost $2000 (versus $124 in Queensland for a lifetime licence).
The boating sector is concerned that calls for a review have fallen on deaf ears.
Here is a recap of the record increases to Jet Ski licences in NSW.
Proposed Jet Ski licence fee increases in NSW from 1 July 2024
- 1 year Jet Ski licence: was $210, now $245 (up 17 per cent)
- 3 year Jet Ski licence: was $460, now $662 (up 44 per cent)
- 5 year Jet Ski licence: was $720, now $1042 (up 45 per cent)
- 10 year Jet Ski licence: was $1043, now $1961 (up 88 per cent)
The NSW Jet Ski licence fees compare to $124 for a lifetime licence for a PWC in Queensland, and $45 for a one-year licence for a PWC in Victoria.
Proposed boat licence fee increases in NSW from 1 July 2024
- 1 year Boat licence: was $69, now $77 (up 12 per cent)
- 3 year Boat licence: was $185, now $220 (up 19 per cent)
- 5 year Boat licence: was $292, now $351 (up 20 per cent)
- 10 year Boat licence: was $521, now $679 (up 30 per cent)
NSW Maritime versus Maritime Safety Queensland
- Latest NSW data:
- 20,500 Jet Skis registered
- 218,000 boats registered
- 90,000 Jet Ski licence holders
- 460,000 boat licence holders
- Latest QLD data:
- 35,000 Jet Skis registered
- 240,000 boats registered
- 260,000 Jet Ski licence holders
- 1.01 million boat licence holders
- NSW Martime resources:
- 30 Jet Skis are operated by NSW Maritime
- 92 Boats are operated by NSW Maritime
- 75 Boating Safety Officers
- 15 Boating Safety Education Officers
- Maritime Safety Queensland resources:
- 10 Jet Skis are operated by Maritime Safety Queensland
- 49 Boats are operated by Maritime Safety Queensland
- 63 Boating Safety Officers
- 8 Enforcement Team Officers
Source: NSW Maritime and Maritime Safety Queensland.
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