Fishing in New South Wales is an adventure with a wide range of opportunities. Whether you’re after a trophy-sized Blue Marlin or a relaxing day fly fishing for Trout, this state has it all. But before you can head out and get your fish on, you’ll need to get an NSW fishing licence.
Below, we’ve covered everything you need to know about fishing licenses in NSW. We’ll walk you through who needs a licence, what type of licences there are, how much you’ll pay, and everything else you need to know. Read on and you’ll be ready to head out to fish before you know it.
Who needs a fishing licence in NSW?
Generally speaking, anyone over the age of 18 needs to pay a NSW recreational fishing fee and carry the receipt showing proof of payment to be able to legally fish in NSW. This is required for fishing in both freshwater and saltwater. You’ll also need to pay the fee for spearfishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait collecting and prawn netting, or when you are carrying fishing gear in, on, or near bodies of water.
Who can fish without a licence in NSW?
Even though paying the NSW recreational fishing fee is required for adults to be able to fish, this rule does not apply to everyone. Here is the list of people who are exempt from paying the fee:
- Children and teenagers under the age of 18;
- Anyone helping a child or teenager under the age of 18 to fish with a single rod, dip or scoop net;
- Aboriginal people;
- Anglers fishing at a private dam that is not bigger than 2 hectares;
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession cardholder;
- Pensioner Concession cardholder (issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs [DVA]);
- DVA Gold cardholders endorsed “Totally and Permanently Incapacitated”(TPI) or “Extreme Disablement Adjustment” (EDA);
- Holder of a DVA letter stating they receive a disability pension of 70% or higher, or an intermediate pension.
A detailed list of exemptions and more information on pensioner and veteran exemptions can be found on the website of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). If you are fishing with a charter, hire boat, or in the company of a guide, you may be exempt from paying the fishing fee as well. Ask your charter operator or guide if they hold a Recreational Fishing Fee Exemption Certificate. If they don’t, then you’ll have to pay the fee.
How much does a NSW fishing licence cost?
The price of your fishing fee depends on how long you’re planning to fish. There are four different price categories: three days, one month, one year, and (for the ambitious anglers) three years. Paying the fishing fee for a year or for three years also comes with a physical plastic receipt.
| License Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3-Day Licence | $7.00 |
| 1-Month Licence | $14.00 |
| 1-Year Licence | $35.00 |
| 3-Year Licence | $85.00 |
Where can you buy a NSW fishing licence?
There are several different ways to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee. Do you prefer to pay online? You can do that. Or would you rather talk to a person on the phone or face to face? You can do that as well. Here is the full list of payment options:
- Online: One of the easiest ways to pay your NSW recreational fishing fee is to pay online. Simply go to the Service NSW website and click the big red start button. You will then be asked for your details and payment information and will get your receipt via email. The receipt can be carried digitally in the My Service NSW app on your phone.
- On the phone: If you prefer to talk to someone, you can call 1300 369 365. Keep in mind that you will have to pay using Visa or Mastercard for this service.
- From an agent: You can also go in person and visit a fishing fee agent. There are two different types of agents: gold agents and standard agents. Gold agents do not take a commission from their fishing fee sales, whereas standard agents retain a 5% commission. The full list of agents can be downloaded from the DPI website.
- From Service NSW Centres: Alternatively, you can visit a Service NSW Centre to pay the fishing fee there. These centres are spread all around the state. To find the nearest centre close to you, visit the Service NSW website and search for it there by providing a postcode or even your direct location.
Anything else I need to know?
If you find out that you are exempt from paying the fishing fee but have already paid for it, you can apply for a refund. You can download the required refund form online. Just choose between a bank transfer or credit card refund, fill in your personal details, and send it to NSW DPI – Recreational Licensing, LMB 3020. For any additional questions regarding refunds and any other questions related to your licence, you can contact the Recreational Licensing unit via phone at 02 4424 7499.
Fishing rules and regulations and everything else you need to know are available online here. The website also has downloadable PDF guides for you to print out and take with you on your fishing trip. That way, you don’t have to rely on an active internet connection to have access to bag limits.
What happens if I lose My licence?
If you have lost your physical fishing fee receipt, or if it has been stolen, you can call 02 4424 7499 during business hours to request a new one. There will be an A$8.00 processing fee for the plastic card. Alternatively, there is the option to download a digital copy of your fishing fee receipt, if you have the My Service NSW app on your phone. Both the plastic card and the digital fishing fee receipt are allowing you to fish.
Keep in mind that your current email address and mobile number have to be listed on the NSW Fisheries database. Otherwise, your fishing fee receipt can not be digitally linked with the My Service NSW app. The email address and mobile number have to be the same ones used for the My Service NSW app. To update your information, call 02 4424 7499 or email: [email protected].
If you crave more information on how to fish in Australia, take a look at our Australia fishing guide and learn about fish species, hotspots, angling techniques, and regulations.
If you still have questions about your NSW fishing license, you can get in touch with the DPI at the above-mentioned phone number and email address. Or feel free to drop us a comment below. Otherwise, grab your license, find a fishing charter near you and start fishing!
