To register a boat in South Australia, it must have a Hull Identification Number (HIN) - also known as SA's Boat Code identification system.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to get a HIN check.
What is a HIN?
A Hull Identification Number (HIN):
- is a unique number that identifies your boat
- helps deter theft and assists in tracking and recovering your boat if it's stolen
- is permanently affixed to the boat's hull.
When do you need a HIN check?
You'll need to get a HIN check if you are:
- Registering a boat in SA for the first time.
- Transferring ownership of an SA-registered boat, where an existing HIN is not recorded in Service SA's system.
- Registering an interstate boat with an existing HIN, but you're unable to provide the Boat Code certificate.
Exemptions
You don't need to get a HIN check if:
- ownership changes from joint to single (or vice versa) with one original owner remaining on the registration
- the boat is registered in the same name on the Australian Shipping Register
- you inherited the boat under the terms of a Will.
How to get a HIN check
- Step 1
Visit Service SA
- If you're registering a boat in SA for the first time:
- bring your completed application for initial registration (539.5 KB PDF) to a Service SA centre and pay the registration fees.
- If you're transferring ownership of an SA-registered boat:
- bring your completed application for new owner re-registration (244.0 KB PDF) to a Service SA centre and pay the registration fees.
You'll receive temporary registration valid for 21 days.
- If you're registering a boat in SA for the first time:
- Step 2
Get your HIN checked
Take your temporary registration certificate to a local Boat Code agent.
The Boat Code agent will:
- Verify your HIN
- Ensure the HIN is correctly displayed on your boat
- Notify Service SA once your HIN is verified, converting your temporary registration to full registration.
Fees to get your HIN checked by the boat code agent
| Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| Maximum fee to be charged by Boat Code agent for affixing a HIN to a boat at the Boat Code agent's premises* | $119 |
| Maximum fee to be charged by Boat Code agent for inspecting and validating a HIN on a boat at the Boat Code agent's premises* | $87 |
* These fees may need to be paid to the Boat Code agent in advance. Boat Code agents may charge additional fees to cover travel and accommodation costs when a HIN is affixed, or inspected and validated, at a location other than the Boat Code agent's normal premises. Such fees are to be negotiated between the applicant and the agent.
