Jetty licences

Find out how to apply for, renew, transfer, modify or cancel a jetty licence in Western Australia.

  About jetty licences

The Jetties Act 1926 (WA) defines a jetty as any structure connected to a body of waters that, wholly or in part, may be used for the purpose of launching or landing a vessel.

This includes:

  • Erected or placed structures.
  • Fixed or floating structures.
  • Grids.
  • Landing places.
  • Piers.
  • Platforms.
  • Ramps.
  • Slips.
  • Stages.
  • Wharves.

All jetties require a licence. This is to ensure that the jetty meets all safety and maintenance standards, and does not interfere with navigation.

Types of jetty licences

There are 3 types of jetty licence:

  • Commercial jetty licence: issued for commercial activities.
  • Community jetty licence: issued to local government for use by the general public.
  • Private jetty licence: for domestic and recreational use.

Public liability risk

A jetty licence does not restrict public access to areas that the public would have had access to before the licence was issued; for example, a foreshore reserve.

Licensees should be aware of the public liability risk of having a jetty and the indemnity provided under the licence. You may wish to obtain public liability and other relevant insurance for their jetty.

Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Jetties Act 1926 (WA)

  Pay your jetty licence fee online

If you have received a renewal account notice, you can pay online by credit card. Your renewal account number is located on the renewal notice.

Pay your account (online)
 

  Applying for a jetty licence

Jetty licences are issued in the name of the owner of the property at which the jetty will be constructed.

Note: For new jetties, construction must not start until the licence has been awarded.

To apply for a jetty licence please submit the following to Department of Transport, Coastal Facilities (postal address below):

  • Jetty Licence Application form (available below).
  • Copy of the Certificate of Title for the adjacent property.
  • For new jetties and modifications, a site plan showing the jetty's dimensions and its location in relation to the applicant's property (A4-size). The plan must include all other structures, e.g. boat ramps, other jetties and mooring poles.
  • If the proposed jetty structure does not conform to approved specifications, engineering drawings must be submitted along with the site plan.

If the licence will be in a company's name (as shown on the Certificate of Title), the following will need to be provided:

  • Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation.
  • Names and addresses of 2 company directors (who will be guarantors).
  • Australian Business Number (ABN).

For more information, please contact the Property and Maritime Licensing Officer.

  Modifying an existing jetty licence

If you intend to conduct any works on your jetty, a permit to modify the jetty is required.

You will need to provide the following:

  • Complete the Maritime licence application form (available below) and select; 'Modify'.
  • Design drawings signed by a licensed engineer.
  • Site plan showing the jetty dimensions and its location in relation to the applicant's property (A4-size) The plan must include all other structures, e.g. boat ramps, other jetties and mooring poles.
  • Confirmation that the jetty number is properly displayed on the structure.
  • Copies of all relevant approvals.

Please download the Maritime licence application form below.

  Transfer of a jetty licence

Applications to transfer a jetty licence from one owner to another follows the same process as a new application. However, the current licensee must provide the Department of Transport with a Notice of intention to relinquish jetty licence form that they have no objections to the transfer.

Please submit the Maritime licence application form below, selecting 'Transfer'.

The Department does not reimburse licence fees for transfers. Licensees may wish to adjust the property price to reflect any unusual or unpaid licence fees directly with the vendor or settlement agent.

The date listed on a transferred jetty licence will be the date of transfer of ownership of the relevant property, as shown in the Certificate of Title.

The Department of Transport does not reimburse any fees on the cancellation of a licence.

Jetty licence fees

See below for current fees for jetty licensing for 2022-2023.

All fees listed are GST free unless stated otherwise.

NOTE: The fees charged apply to the day your application is processed, not the day your application is received. Fees may vary for applications processed after 30 June 2023.

Commercial jetty licences

For a jetty or jetties used in association with commercial activity or use.
Fee type Fee
A jetty or jetties accommodating 1-10 berths
New licence fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating 1-10 berths $1386.60
Annual licence fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating 1-10 berths $760.95
Licence transfer fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating 1- 10 berths $1036.20
A jetty or jetties accommodating 11-20 berths
New licence fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating 11-20 berths $2032.10
Annual licence fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating 11-20 berths $1140.80
Licence transfer fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating 11-20 berths $1036.20
A jetty or jetties accommodating more than 20 berths
New licence fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating more than 20 berths $2679.90
Annual licence fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating more than 20 berths $1521.05
Licence transfer fee for a jetty or jetties accommodating more than 20 berths $1036.20

Community jetty licences

For a jetty owned by a Local Government Authority and provided for community use without charge.
Fee type Fee
New licence fee $98.45
Annual licence fee $43.70
Licence transfer fee $98.45

Private jetty licences

For a privately owned jetty used solely for purposes not associated with commercial activity or use.
Fee type Fee
A boat ramp wholly on private property and not in water
New licence fee for a boat ramp $145.90
Annual licence fee for a boat ramp $49.30
Licence transfer fee for a boat ramp $145.90
A jetty (other than for boat ramps)
New licence fee $657.40
Annual licence fee $150.15
Licence transfer fee $424.90
For a jetty under shared private ownership and used solely for purposes not associated with commercial activity or use
New licence fee – per applicant $584.95
Annual licence fee - per applicant $75.20
Licence transfer fee - per applicant $424.90

Jetty modification

Fee for replacement licence where modification has occurred to a previously approved jetty structure.
Fee type Fee
Modification to a private or LGA jetty $141.65
Modification is to a fuel pipeline on a jetty owned by the Department $155.80

Jetty fuel pipeline

For a fuel pipeline or fuel facility used in connection with a jetty owned by the Department.
Fee type Fee
New licence fee $1525.25
Annual licence fee $837.05
Licence transfer fee $1138.80

  Display of licence numbers

Each jetty licence will have a unique licence number.

The licence number must be:

  • Displayed above the winter high-water level.
  • Visible from both the shore and on the water.
  • In a contrasting colour to the structure.
  • At least 75 mm high.

  Contact the Property and Maritime Licensing Officer

Service Type Suburb Business Name Phone number Phone number (secondary) Fax Pre-booking required Business Hours Email Street address Postal address Business Type Vehicle type Comments
Marine and Coastal contact Jetty and ferry licensing (Boating Safety Coastal) 13 11 56 No Monday to Friday 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. (excludes public holidays) maritime.licensing@transport.wa.gov.au P.O. Box C102, Perth WA 6839 Department of Transport
Page last updated: Tue Apr 4 2023 4:03:18 PM