Trade plates may be required for:
- demonstrating a vessel to a prospective purchaser
- testing a vessel prior to delivering it to a buyer
- testing a vessel in the course of repairs, servicing, alterations or additions to the vessel
- demonstrating a vessel on display at a boating show or similar event.
Who can apply
Trade plates may be issued to:
- a person – who must be 18 years of age and provide a copy of their Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Extract of Business Registration.
- companies (body corporate) registered with the ASIC.
How to apply
Follow the steps below to apply for trade plates for the first time.
1. Complete application form
Complete and lodge the application for issue or renewal of trade plates (100.0 KB PDF) form along with:
- evidence of age and identity
- proof of registration as a company
- proof that the business is currently registered with ASIC with the status of ‘Registered’.
2. Lodge the application
Lodge your application at a Service SA centre along with:
- evidence of age and identity, or
- proof of registration as a body corporate
- proof of registration as a business
- the fee.
Period of issue
Trade plates are valid for 12 months and it is up to the trade plate holder to apply for the re-issue prior to the expiry date.
Fees
Fees are effective from 1 July 2023.
New trade plate - $91
Renewal of trade plate - $62
Replacement trade plate label or certificate - $18
Cancel trade plate - $18
Displaying boat trade plates
Trade plates are issued in sets of two with a trade plate registration label.
- Plates are only valid if the current registration label is affixed.
- Trade plates must be displayed on the vessel when the vessel is being used for any one of the purposes listed above.
- A trade plate must be securely affixed to the forepart of each side of the vessel.
- A current registration label must be affixed to the trade plate that is on the starboard side of the vessel.
Conditions of issue for the boat trade plate
It is an offence to use trade plates for any purpose not listed above or to fail to comply with the conditions listed on the Certificate of Issue of Trade Plates.
Other trade plate holder conditions:
- The trade plate holder must not lend the plates to another person to use on a boat.
- The trade plate holder or an employee must be on the boat when the trade plates are in use.
- The trade plates remain the property of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and must be surrendered on demand, when cancelled or where you cease to be engaged in a business where trade plates are reasonably required.
Trade plates may be cancelled if you breach the conditions of issue.
Renewing trade plates
You should receive a trade plates renewal notice in the mail approximately six weeks before your registration is due to expire.
It is the owner's responsibility to renew even if you don't receive a reminder notice. If you don't, you must surrender the plates.
On signing the declaration on the renewal notice and returning it to a Service SA centre with the renewal fee a Certificate of Issue of Trade Plates and trade plate label will be posted to the trade plate holder.
The trade plate holder may also complete and submit the Application for issue or renewal of trade plates (100.0 KB PDF) and lodge it with the fee at a Service SA centre.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) may require further information and records in support of the application for issue or renewal of trade plates.
Apply for replacement certificate or label
If the trade plates certificate/label is lost or destroyed, the trade plate holder may apply for a replacement boat trade plate certificate/label (177.7 KB PDF) and lodge this application and fee to a Service SA centre
Surrender boat trade plates
The trade plate holder may surrender the trade plates to DIT at any time. The trade plate holder must surrender the trade plates where:
- the trade plate holder ceases to carry on a business in relation to which the plates were issued
- the business is sold or transferred to another person, and notify the Department of the name and address of that person and the date of the change of business ownership.
To notify the Department, download and print the Notification of Surrender of Boat Trade Plates (179.3 KB PDF) and return the completed form to any Service SA centre together with the trade plates.
Replace boat trade plates
Replacement trade plates are not available. When a trade plate is lost or stolen you must apply for the issue of new boat trade plates (100.0 KB PDF).
If they’re lost or stolen, you must report it to the police within seven days of the incident.
For the sole trade plate in your possession, you must surrender this to the Department by completing the Notification of Surrender of Boat Trade Plates (179.3 KB PDF) form and return the trade plates with the form to any Service SA centre.
Need help?
Contact Service SA
Online
Only send general enquiries online. Service SA will respond within 3 working days.
If the matter is urgent or is specifically about your current licence or registration, phone or visit a Service SA centre instead.
Phone
Call Service SA between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays:
- 13 10 84
- +61 8 8226 0206 (overseas callers).
In person
Service SA centre locations and opening hours.
