Lifejacket Law
Anyone rock fishing in a declared location must wear an appropriate lifejacket. This includes people helping you to rock fish and children.
Failing to wear an appropriate lifejacket while rock fishing in a declared area may result in a $100 on the spot fine.
Declared Areas
As a general rule, if you are fishing from rocks exposed to ocean swell in a declared area, then you will need to wear a lifejacket. It is safest to wear a lifejacket whenever and wherever you are rock fishing. Declared areas currently include Randwick City Council local government area, Northern Beaches Council local government area and Richmond Valley Council local government area.
Randwick Local Government Area map [PDF 1.40Mb]
Richmond Valley Local Government Area map [PDF 126KB]
Northern Beaches Local Government Area map [PDF 1.2Mb]
Lifejacket safety standards
- For an adult, must meet Australian Standard AS 4758 level 50S or greater.
- For a child (under 12 years of age), must be level 100 Australian Standard AS 4758 or greater.
- Must be the correct size for the wearer.
- Must be in good condition.
- If the lifejacket is inflatable it must not rely solely on oral inflation for buoyancy and must be serviced every 12 months. A longer service period might apply if specified by the manufacturer.
Some lifejackets approved under other standards may also meet the requirements.
