WA Fishing Licence Guide: Who Needs One, Fees, How to Apply & Rules
Planning a fishing trip to the Abrolhos, heading to the South West for marron, or casting from a Perth jetty? The licence rules can vary depending on how and where you fish. Western Australia does not use one general recreational fishing licence, so you may need a licence for certain activities. This guide explains the six licensed activities, current WA fishing licence costs, available concessions, how to apply or renew, and the key rules to check before you head out.
Key Takeaways
WA has no general recreational fishing licence. Only six specified fishing activities require one.
Most shore, jetty and rock-line fishing does not require a licence, unless you take part in one of the six licensed activities.
The RFBL costs $40, while the other five recreational fishing licences cost $50 each.
Eligible concession holders pay half price, with a 10% discount for two or more licences bought together.
A WA fishing licence does not replace bag, size, boat or seasonal limits, so check the latest fishing rules before each trip.
Do You Need a Fishing Licence in WA?
For most recreational fishing in Western Australia, you do not need a general fishing licence. Most beach fishing, jetty fishing and line fishing from rock walls or riverbanks can be done without one, unless you take part in one of the six licensed activities.
The Six Fishing Activities That Require a Licence
You need a recreational fishing licence in Western Australia for each of the following six activities:
Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence (RFBL), statewide
Rock lobster fishing
Abalone fishing
Marron fishing
Freshwater angling in the South West, south of 29°S
Net fishing using haul, set or throw nets
The RFBL is the main boat fishing licence you will come across in WA. If you fish from a boat, you generally need an RFBL for activities such as line fishing, squid jigging, crabbing, spearfishing, taking octopus or dip netting for prawns. You also need an RFBL if you release your catch or use a powered boat to transport fishing gear or catch to or from an island, sandbar or another land-based fishing spot.
When You Do Not Need an RFBL
You do not need an RFBL if you are:
Fishing from an unpowered boat such as a rowboat or kayak
Fishing from a licensed fishing tour operator's vessel or charter boat
Fishing with an RFBL holder, as long as the total catch stays within the limits available to the licence holders on board
Fishing only for an activity covered by another licence you already hold, such as rock lobster or abalone fishing
Some broader licence exemptions also apply. Anglers under 16 do not need a South West freshwater angling licence, and Aboriginal people fishing according to customary law and tradition for personal, domestic, ceremonial, educational or noncommercial communal purposes do not need a recreational fishing licence.
How Much Does a WA Fishing Licence Cost?
A WA fishing licence currently costs $40 to $50 at the standard rate, depending on the activity. Eligible concession holders generally pay $20 to $25. You can find the current fees in DPIRD's recreational fishing licence information, as shown below:
Licensed activity | Standard fee | Concession fee |
Recreational fishing from boat (RFBL) | $40 | $20 |
Rock lobster | $50 | $25 |
Abalone | $50 | $25 |
Marron | $50 | $25 |
South-west freshwater angling | $50 | $25 |
Net fishing (haul, set, throw) | $50 | $25 |
*Fees can change, so check the current amount before you submit your application.
Concessions and the Multi-Activity Discount
Some anglers qualify for a 50% concession on the standard licence fee. This includes:
Anglers under 16
WA Seniors Card holders
People receiving an eligible age, disability, widow or veterans pension
Certain spouses and de facto partners of eligible pension recipients
If you apply for two or more licensed fishing activities in the same transaction, you also receive a 10% discount.
WA recreational fishing licences remain valid for 12 months from the date DPIRD receives payment. A 12-month licence does not extend the fishing season for species with seasonal closures.
How to Apply for or Renew Your Licence
You can apply for a recreational fishing licence in WA online, by post or at a DPIRD Fisheries office. Existing licence holders can use the same options to renew.
Buy a WA Fishing Licence Online
If you want to buy or renew a WA fishing licence online, you can do it through DoTDirect. You do not need a DoTDirect account to start an application. If you do not have one, the portal will ask a few questions to confirm your identity.
To apply online:
Open the recreational fishing licence service and choose a new application or renewal.
Confirm your identity and personal details.
Select the fishing activities you need and enter any concession details that apply.
Complete the payment and save your transaction receipt.
Keep your receipt with you when fishing until your plastic licence card arrives. DPIRD sends the card within 30 days of receiving your payment. You can fish while you wait for the card, as long as you carry the receipt with you.
Apply by Post or in Person
If you prefer not to apply online, you can submit your application through DPIRD:
By post: Complete the application form and send it with the required payment to DPIRD, Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983.
In person: Complete your application and make the payment at a DPIRD Fisheries office. Check the latest DPIRD fishing licence contacts for office locations and opening hours before you go.
Renew Your WA Fishing Licence
You can renew your WA fishing licence online through DoTDirect, or use the renewal form DPIRD sends to existing licence holders.
Check your current licence details before paying.
Select the fishing activities you want to renew.
Keep your payment receipt as proof until your new plastic card arrives.
If you have a DoTDirect account, you can check your WA fishing licence details online, manage your licences and see when they are due for renewal. Renew before your current licence expires if you plan to keep fishing through the same period.
What Your Licence Does Not Cover
Your WA fishing licence covers the activity, but you still need to follow current catch and area rules.
Interstate licences: Licences issued by other Australian states or territories are not valid in WA.
Bag and size limits: New statewide finfish rules took effect on 1 June 2026, including updated demersal scalefish limits. Check the latest statewide finfish size and bag limits before you fish.
Seasonal and area closures: Boat fishing for demersal scalefish remains closed in the West Coast bioregion until spring 2027. Land-based fishing remains subject to existing closures.
Penalties for Fishing Without a Licence in WA
If you fish for an activity that requires a WA recreational fishing licence and do not hold the correct licence, you can face a fine of up to $2,000. Fisheries and Marine Officers carry out compliance checks across WA, so check that your licence covers the activity you plan to do and keep your licence with you when fishing.
Other breaches can carry separate penalties. Bag limit, closure, gear and protected species offences are different from fishing without the required licence, so the penalty depends on the rule you break.
Why Your Fishing Licence Fee Matters
The licence fee also goes back into recreational fishing in WA. Some of that funding supports the places you fish, the species you target and the rules that shape your trips.
More fishing opportunities: WA reinvests 25% of recreational fishing licence fees through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund. Since 2010, more than $25 million has supported over 120 projects, including fish stocking, artificial reefs, habitat restoration, safety initiatives and better access to recreational fishing.
Healthier fish stocks for future trips: Licence funding supports surveys and research into what anglers catch and where they fish. DPIRD uses this information to monitor fish stocks and make decisions on bag limits, seasons and other fishing rules.
More support for WA anglers: DPIRD provides Recfishwest with annual funding equal to 15% of recreational licence contributions from the previous year. Recfishwest represents recreational fishers and works with government on issues that affect fishing across WA.
Fairer fishing on the water: Licence funding also supports compliance and education. Patrols and fishing education help anglers understand the rules and help officers deal with illegal fishing.
Power for Remote WA Fishing Trips
Remote fishing trips in Western Australia can take you far from powered campsites, towns, and other reliable sources of electricity. On these trips, equipment such as portable fridges or freezers, phones, navigation devices, fish finders, cameras, and camp lighting may need to remain powered for several days.
Relying on your vehicle battery alone can increase the risk of draining the power you need to start your vehicle, particularly when running cold-storage equipment for extended periods. A portable power station provides a separate source of electricity at your ute or campsite, helping you keep essential fishing and camping equipment powered when mains electricity is unavailable.
For remote WA fishing trips, choose a power setup based on how many days you will be off-grid and which devices need continuous power. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station offers a 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W AC output, making it a practical option for running portable refrigeration and recharging essential electronics during remote coastal or inland fishing trips.
Remote trips to Steep Point or Exmouth call for more energy over a longer period. The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station gives you more capacity and output for extended stays, with high solar input helping you recharge during the day when mains power is unavailable.
Conclusion
Before you fish in WA, check whether you need a WA fishing licence for any of the six licensed activities, then confirm the current fee and any concession that applies. You can apply or renew through DoTDirect, by post or at a DPIRD Fisheries office. Keep your licence or valid receipt with you, and check current bag limits and closures before each trip. With those details sorted, you can focus on planning the rest of your day on the water.
FAQs
Do I need a fishing licence to fish from a kayak in WA?
You do not need an RFBL for an unpowered kayak. However, you still need the relevant licence if you take part in another licensed activity, such as rock lobster, abalone or marron fishing. Bags, size and seasonal rules still apply.
Can I fish from a boat if only my mate has a licence?
Yes, provided the total catch of everyone on board stays within the bag limits of the RFBL holders present. In practice, one licence on a boat of three means one person's bag limit for the whole trip. If each angler wants their own allowance, each needs their own licence, and the master of the boat is responsible for keeping the combined catch legal.
Can I buy more than one WA fishing licence at the same time?
Yes. If you plan to take part in more than one licensed fishing activity, you can apply for multiple licences in the same transaction. You receive a 10% discount when you apply for two or more fishing activities together, so it makes sense to select everything you expect to need before completing the application.