Lifejacket rules by state: kids, small boats, kayaks and jet skis

Carry an approved lifejacket for everyone on board at all times. Powerboats and sailing boats up to 4.8 m: everyone must wear one – on enclosed waters when alone or at night (Level 50S+); on alpine waters at all times (Level 50S+); on open waters and when crossing coastal bars at all times (Level 100+). Over 4.8 m: everyone must wear Level 100+ when crossing coastal bars. Children under 12 must wear one at all times on vessels up to 4.8 m, and in open areas of vessels up to 8 m when underway. PWC: everyone (driver, passengers, observer, anyone towed) must wear Level 50S+ at all times. Anyone being towed (incl. wakesurfers) Level 50S+. Canoes/kayaks: enclosed waters when alone or at night, alpine and open waters at all times (Level 50S+). Sailboards/kiteboards more than 400 m from shore: enclosed waters when alone or at night, alpine/open waters at all times (Level 50S+). SUP: lifejacket only recommended (or a leg rope). Also must wear when the skipper says so in heightened-risk situations (severe weather warnings, non-swimmers, breakdown, cold water, etc.).

Lifejacket laws changed on 1 December 2024. Wearing is compulsory: when boating alone or accompanied only by children under 12 in an open boat under 4.8 m that is underway; when crossing a designated coastal bar in an open boat, and in any open area of a boat of any length; between sunset and sunrise in an open boat under 4.8 m underway; children aged over 1 and under 12 in an open boat or the open area of a boat of any length while underway. Must also be worn crossing a designated coastal bar in small sailboats, pedal boats, rafts, rowboats and sea/surf kayaks (not body boards, surfboards, windsurfers, kitesurfers or SUPs). PWC: everyone on board must wear the required lifejacket (Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016 s 15: a PWC is 'taken not to be equipped' unless each person is wearing it) – Level 50 or 50S in smooth waters, Level 50 in or beyond partially smooth waters. Required levels for other boats: Level 100/150/275 beyond partially smooth waters; Level 50+ in partially smooth; Level 50S+ in smooth waters. From 1 September 2025 all lifejackets must meet AS 4758. Inflatables must be serviced per the manufacturer.

A lifejacket must be carried for everyone on all vessels (unless exempt). Must be WORN: on powerboats up to and including 4.8 m at all times when underway (Level 100 on coastal and enclosed waters; Level 100/50/50S on inland waters); on powerboats 4.8–12 m and yachts at times of 'heightened risk' – crossing an ocean bar or in a designated hazardous area (Port Phillip Heads, 3 nm radius from Point Lonsdale: all vessels under 12 m), boating alone (a sole adult with children under 12 counts as alone), from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise, disabled vessel, restricted visibility, BoM gale/storm/severe thunderstorm/severe weather warnings, yachts without lifelines/harnesses in use. Children under 12: at all times in open areas of a vessel underway, Level 100 on enclosed and coastal waters (Port Phillip, Western Port, Gippsland Lakes, Mallacoota). PWC: everyone at all times (Level 100/50/50S). Towed persons: at all times. Kayak, canoe, rowing boat, raft, SUP, pedal boat: Level 100/50/50S on all waters – but SUP, kiteboard and sailboard riders within 400 m of shore are not required to wear one. Powerboats over 12 m: carry only.

WA splits waters into 'protected' (rivers, lakes, dams, estuaries, harbours and within 400 m of shore; Cambridge Gulf and Lake Argyle excluded) and 'unprotected' (more than 400 m from shore). Registered vessels under 4.8 m: carry Level 100+ for everyone in protected waters; in unprotected waters everyone must WEAR Level 100+. Vessels 4.8 m and over: carry Level 100+ for all; in unprotected waters children aged 1 to 12 must wear Level 100+. PWC: everyone must wear Level 50S+ at all times in all waters. Non-registrable craft (paddle craft, sailboards, kiteboards, windsurfers, tenders, sailing dinghies) under 4.8 m: Level 50S+ must be worn more than 400 m from shore in unprotected waters (recommended closer in). Electric hydrofoil boards over 4.5 kW: Level 50+ worn.

SA water categories: protected (all inland waters except Lakes Alexandrina and Albert), semi-protected (within 2 nm of the mainland/Kangaroo Island coast or the banks of Lakes Alexandrina and Albert; incl. Port Adelaide River and the Coorong) and unprotected (beyond 2 nm). Motorboats 4.8 m or less: everyone must wear a lifejacket at all times when underway or at anchor (protected: Level 100/50/50S; semi-protected: carry Level 100 for all but may wear 100/50/50S; unprotected: Level 100+). Boats 4.8–12 m: children 12 and under must wear one in open areas when underway or at anchor (Level 100 on all waters); all occupants must wear one at times of heightened risk – alone, alone with children 12 or under, after sunset/before sunrise, disabled boat, crossing a coastal bar, restricted visibility, BoM gale/storm/severe thunderstorm/severe weather warnings (Level 50/50S+ in protected/semi-protected, Level 100+ in unprotected waters). PWC: Level 50 or 50S worn at all times. Towed persons: Level 50/50S. Canoes/kayaks: must wear on all waters. From 1 January 2025 lifejackets must meet AS 4758 (older AS 1512/1499/2260 no longer acceptable).

An approved lifejacket must be carried for each person. It is compulsory to WEAR a lifejacket in any recreational motor boat or motor-propelled tender under 6 m while under power, and for children under 12 in a motor boat or motor tender of any length while under power (not required inside a deckhouse, cabin or secure enclosed space). Unregistered motor boats (under 4 hp): wear at all times under power. Lifejackets are compulsory in tenders (powered or rowed) and in lightweight craft – kayaks, canoes, SUPs, sit-on-tops (Level 50 or 50S; inflatables not recommended), except when riding waves in a surf zone. PWC: rider and passengers must wear one – Level 50/50S/100/150 in smooth and sheltered waters, Level 100+ beyond 2 nm; inflatables not permitted on PWC. Only AS 4758 lifejackets are legal – wearing one marked with the old standards AS 1512, 1499 or 2260 can attract an infringement. Required level on boats: Level 50+ in smooth waters, Level 100+ in sheltered and coastal waters.

Every pleasure craft must carry one personal flotation device 'appropriate for the activity' for each person on board, on all waters (inland, intermediate and open). The PFD must comply with AS 4758 or be approved by the Director. Must be WORN: by PWC operators and passengers (adults; the operator must ensure passengers under 16 wear one); by anyone being towed; by operators and crew of sailing boats under 5 m or with permanently closed hulls. There is no general requirement in the Marine (General) Regulations 2013 to wear a lifejacket in an ordinary powerboat (tinnie), regardless of size, time of day or water category.

Lakes Act 1976 (ACT), Division 5.2: everyone on a recreational boat under 4.8 m, or an 'off-the-shore' sailing boat (e.g. Laser, Hobie Cat, skiff – unballasted, no cabin, keel or engine), must WEAR an appropriate lifejacket on a lake, and the operator must ensure they do. On boats under 8 m that are underway, children under 12 in an open area must wear one. Anyone must wear one when the master directs. 'Appropriate lifejacket' = AS 4758 Level 50S, 50, 100, 150 or 275 (or TfNSW-approved), not oral-inflation-only, correct size, and acquired/serviced within the last 12 months (or as the manufacturer says). Lifejackets must be stored accessibly under a 'lifejackets' sign. For the wear rules, 'recreational boat' excludes kiteboards, paddleboards, sailboards and surfboards. NCA guidelines: 'Wear a life jacket while on the Lake'.