Pilotage requirements for superyachts vary across Australia. The Australian Government sets compulsory coastal pilotage in parts of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, while each state, territory and port sets its own rules for port pilotage. Requirements depend on your yacht’s length, whether it is operating privately or commercially, and whether the Master holds an exemption.
Plan your pilotage needs before you arrive and discuss your itinerary with your agent. Having a pilot on board does not relieve the Master of overall responsibility for the safe navigation of the vessel.
Pilotage at a glance
| Area | When a pilot is required | Exemptions and alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait (coastal pilotage) | Vessels 70 metres or more in compulsory pilotage areas: the Inner Route (Cape York to Cairns), Great North East Channel, Torres Strait, Hydrographers Passage and the Whitsundays | A licensed coastal pilot must be used. See below |
| Queensland ports (including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone and Bundaberg) | Vessels 50 metres or more in a compulsory pilotage area. In Cairns, vessels 35 metres or more may need a pilot when moving to or from marinas, shipyards and Smith Creek | The Master may hold a Pilotage Exemption Certificate from Maritime Safety Queensland. The harbour master may set conditions for smaller vessels in some ports |
| New South Wales (including Sydney Harbour) | Commercially operating superyachts 30 metres or more. Privately operating superyachts 80 metres or more | Privately operating superyachts under 80 metres do not need a pilot. For commercially operating yachts 30 to 80 metres, the Master can obtain a Certificate of Local Knowledge |
| Victoria (Port of Melbourne waters) | Vessels over 35 metres | The Master may hold a Pilot Exemption Certificate or Local Knowledge Certificate, now issued by Ports Victoria |
| Tasmania (declared pilotage areas, including Hobart and the Tamar River) | Vessels over 35 metres | The Master may hold a Pilotage Exemption Certificate. TasPorts also offers exemptions for low-risk vessels (see below) |
| South Australia (Port Adelaide and Port Lincoln) | Vessels 35 metres or more at Port Adelaide. A pilot is also required at Port Lincoln | The Master may hold a Pilotage Exemption Certificate |
| Western Australia (Fremantle) | Vessels over 35 metres | The Master may hold a Pilot Exemption Certificate from Fremantle Ports |
| Northern Territory (Darwin) | Vessels 50 metres or more | The Master may hold a Pilotage Exemption Certificate. Request a pilot at least 24 hours ahead |
Other ports have their own requirements. Always check with the harbour master or port authority before arriving, as the harbour master can require a pilot for any vessel movement.
Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait
Under Australian Government law, vessels 70 metres or more in overall length must carry a licensed coastal pilot in these compulsory pilotage areas:
- the Inner Route of the Great Barrier Reef, between Cape York and Cairns
- the Great North East Channel
- Torres Strait
- Hydrographers Passage
- the Whitsundays compulsory pilotage area.
Superyacht Australia recommends member Auriga Pilots, whose pilots hold unrestricted Great Barrier Reef licences. As well as pilotage, Auriga offers Reef Guides who advise on Great Barrier Reef Marine Park rules, and voyage planning with superyacht bridge teams.
Superyachts 50 metres or more must also report to REEFVTS in this area. See Maritime Safety & Reporting. For marine park rules and anchorages, see Marine Park & Access Permits.
More information: AMSA: Navigation through the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.
Queensland ports
- All vessels 50 metres or more within a Queensland compulsory pilotage area must carry a licensed pilot, unless the Master holds a Pilotage Exemption Certificate for that area.
- In some ports, including Cairns, Southport (Gold Coast), Mackay, Port Douglas, Cooktown and Thursday Island, the regional harbour master may apply conditions to smaller vessels, for example when moving within marinas or narrow channels. These are given when you notify your arrival.
- In Cairns, vessels 35 metres or more may need a pilot when moving between marinas, shipyards and Smith Creek.
More information: Maritime Safety Queensland: Pilotage licences and exemptions.
New South Wales
- Privately operating superyachts under 80 metres do not need a pilot. Superyachts 80 metres or more need a pilot.
- Commercially operating superyachts 30 metres or more need a pilot. If the yacht is between 30 and 80 metres, the Master can complete a Certificate of Local Knowledge before arriving in NSW and be signed off on arrival.
- The harbour master can require a pilot for any vessel movement. If you are unsure about local procedures, request a pilot.
- On Sydney Harbour, keep a listening watch on VHF channel 13 and report to Sydney VTS as required.
More information: Transport for NSW: Operating guidelines for superyachts on Sydney Harbour.
Victoria
- Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 35 metres in Port of Melbourne waters, unless the Master holds a current Pilot Exemption Certificate or Local Knowledge Certificate.
- Pilots are provided by Port Phillip Sea Pilots and Australian Pilotage Group, and need 24 hours’ notice of arrival at the pilot boarding ground.
- Check air draft restrictions, including the Bolt Bridge, with your marina before heading up the Yarra River.
More information: Port of Melbourne: Pilotage.
Tasmania
A pilot is required for vessels over 35 metres in Tasmania’s declared pilotage areas, unless the Master holds a Pilotage Exemption Certificate. TasPorts also offers exemptions for low-risk vessels that are:
- between 35 and 75 metres in length overall
- carrying no more than 12 passengers
- not carrying cargo
- not engaged in towing
- not normally operated at speeds above 25 knots.
Contact TasPorts on 1300 366 742. More information: TasPorts: Pilotage exemption.
Captain’s Tip
TasPorts and the Hobart harbour master are willing to work with superyachts. Visiting captains have taken a pilot on their first passage into Hobart and then been granted a pilotage exemption for later movements.
South Australia
- At Port Adelaide, vessels 35 metres or more must be under the control of a licensed pilot unless the Master holds a Pilotage Exemption Certificate. Pilots are arranged through the vessel’s owner or agent.
- A pilot is also required for Port Lincoln.
Western Australia
- At Fremantle, the Master of a vessel over 35 metres needs a Pilot Exemption Certificate to navigate without a pilot. Contact the Fremantle Ports Harbour Master’s office.
- Other WA ports, including Broome, have their own requirements. Check with the port authority before arriving.
More information: Fremantle Ports: Certificate of Local Knowledge and Pilot Exemption Certificate.
Northern Territory
- In Darwin, pilotage is compulsory for vessels 50 metres or more, unless the Master holds a Pilotage Exemption Certificate.
- Request a pilot from Darwin Port’s Shipping Scheduler at least 24 hours before it is needed.
More information: Darwin Port: Pilotage.
Common questions about pilotage
Does my superyacht need a pilot on the Great Barrier Reef?
Only if it is 70 metres or more and travelling through a compulsory pilotage area: the Inner Route between Cape York and Cairns, the Great North East Channel, Torres Strait, Hydrographers Passage or the Whitsundays.
Can the Master get an exemption?
Most states and ports offer a Pilotage Exemption Certificate or Certificate of Local Knowledge to Masters who meet their requirements. Check with the relevant port before you arrive.
Does a private superyacht need a pilot in Sydney?
Not if it is under 80 metres. Commercially operating superyachts 30 metres or more need a pilot, or a Master with a Certificate of Local Knowledge if the yacht is between 30 and 80 metres.
Who is responsible when a pilot is on board?
The Master. A pilot provides local expertise, but the Master remains responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel.
How do we book a pilot?
Through your agent, or directly with the pilot provider or port. Most ports need at least 24 hours’ notice.
Last reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: always confirm with the relevant harbour master, port authority or a Superyacht Australia member agent.
