Register a vessel

You will need to complete a vessel registration form and include the following information about your vessel:

• type, make and model
• date of manufacture, if known
• length, breadth and colour
• construction material
• number of hulls
• Hull Identification Number, if known 
• number of engines and their serial number, type, make, horsepower and fuel type
• any registration number previously assigned to the vessel
• whether an Australian Builders Plate has been affixed to the vessel.

Club Identification Number

If you are a member of an approved club and wish to have a club identification number assigned to your vessel, you will need a letter from your club allocating a number to your vessel.

This letter must be submitted along with your registration form.

To register your vessel in Victoria you need to provide VicRoads with your completed vessel registration form and pay the registration fee.

Send by post

Note that to submit your application via post you must have a Victorian driver or marine licence, or a VicRoads customer number. 

You can pay the registration fee with a cheque or money order and mail it along with your completed registration form to VicRoads, GPO Box 1644, Melbourne VIC 3001.

Visit a Customer Service Centre

Alternatively you can call us on 13 11 71 and make an appointment to attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. At the customer service centre, you can pay via credit or debit card.

Your vessel does not need to be inspected as part of the appointment.

When you attend your appointment to register your vessel, you will need to:

• provide evidence of your identity
• submit your paperwork that includes the vessel registration form and
• pay the vessel registration fee (by VISA, MasterCard*, cheque, EFTPOS or cash) relevant to your vessel (based on vessel length).

* A card payment fee (External link) applies

You will be given a registration certificate and label with the assigned vessel identification number (registration number).

If you can’t attend the appointment

You can appoint someone else to attend the appointment on your behalf. You will need to provide them with an original and signed Authority to Act as an Agent form.

Your representative will also need show their evidence of identity when attending the appointment on your behalf.

The registration label must be kept fixed in a clearly visible position on the outside or upper portion of the vessel.

The vessel identification number (registration number) must be displayed on each side of the hull of the vessel, forward of the beam, so that the highest part of each digit starts at a point no more than 75 millimetres (25 millimetres for personal watercraft) below the gunwale, and:

• no less than 150 millimetres high (100mm for personal watercraft)
• in proportionate breadth and
• coloured in contrast to the surface on which they are displayed.

You don’t need to register a vessel if it: 

• doesn’t have an engine that can propel it
• is a recreational tender 
• is a domestic commercial vessel (ie it’s used for commercial, government or research activity) 
• is a kayak or canoe that has an electric motor of no more than 40 pounds' thrust (1 horsepower or 750 watts) and is operated at no more than 5 knots. For examples of exempt kayaks, visit Safe Transport Victoria.

Interstate vessels don’t need to be registered in Victoria, as long as the vessel: 

• will be temporarily operating in Victorian waters 
• is registered in another State or a Territory  (or is exempt from registration  in the State or a Territory in where the owner ordinarily resides)
• displays an identifying mark or number that was issued by the interstate authority. 

A person who lives in Victoria for a continuous period of over 3 months must register their vessel in Victoria.

If you’re not sure whether or not your vessel needs to be registered, check with Safe Transport Victoria.