Apply for an aquatic activity licence

Applications must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the event. An aquatic activity licence is required for events where:

• exclusive use of a designated area of waterway is required for an aquatic sport or activity - eg regattas and swimming events
• an exemption is required from the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 or Harbors and Navigation Regulations 2009 - eg exemption from wearing personal flotation devices in an area where rescue boats are present.

How to apply

1. Plan your event

You will need to provide:

• details of activities that you'll be undertaking in your application.
• duty vessels during the event to advise water users not participating in the event about the closed area, particularly if high-speed activity is underway.

2. Organise insurance

You will need to provide evidence of adequate public liability insurance, at least $10 million, to cater for any claim of personal injury or damage to property.

3. Submit application

Submit an application for an aquatic activity licence (31.1 KB PDF).

Return the completed application to:

Manager, Marine Operations 
Transport Safety Regulation
Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001

Phone: 1300 183 046
Fax: 8124 4695
email: dpti.recreationalboatingunit@sa.gov.au

4. Public notice

If your application is approved, you must place a public notice about the activity, at your expense, in specified newspapers or publications.

Special conditions

Special conditions that may also apply include:

• speed restrictions
• crowd control
• marker buoys
• safety equipment
• access restrictions
• duty boats.

During your approved aquatic sport or activity duty vessels must be in place to advise other vessels, not participating in the event about passing the closed area. In many cases this could involve a short wait to allow a high speed activity to conclude, so that the safety of all persons and vessels is maintained.