Jetty licences

The Jetties Act 1926 (WA) defines a jetty as any structure connected to a body of waters that, wholly or in part, may be used for the purpose of launching or landing a vessel.

This includes:

• Erected or placed structures.
• Fixed or floating structures.
• Grids.
• Landing places.
• Piers.
• Platforms.
• Ramps.
• Slips.
• Stages.
• Wharves.

All jetties require a licence. This is to ensure that the jetty meets all safety and maintenance standards, and does not interfere with navigation.

Types of jetty licences

There are 3 types of jetty licence:

• Commercial jetty licence: issued for commercial activities.
• Community jetty licence: issued to local government for use by the general public.
• Private jetty licence: for domestic and recreational use.

Public liability risk

A jetty licence does not restrict public access to areas that the public would have had access to before the licence was issued; for example, a foreshore reserve.

Licensees should be aware of the public liability risk of having a jetty and the indemnity provided under the licence. You may wish to obtain public liability and other relevant insurance for their jetty.

Email: maritime.licensing@transport.wa.gov.au

If you have received a renewal account notice, you can pay online by credit card. Your renewal account number is located on the renewal notice.

Jetty licences are issued in the name of the owner of the property at which the jetty will be constructed.

Note: For new jetties, construction must not start until the licence has been awarded.

To apply for a jetty licence please submit the following to Department of Transport, Coastal Facilities (postal address below):

• Jetty Licence Application form (available below).
• Copy of the Certificate of Title for the adjacent property.
• For new jetties and modifications, a site plan showing the jetty's dimensions and its location in relation to the applicant's property (A4-size). The plan must include all other structures, e.g. boat ramps, other jetties and mooring poles.
• If the proposed jetty structure does not conform to approved specifications, engineering drawings must be submitted along with the site plan.

If the licence will be in a company's name (as shown on the Certificate of Title), the following will need to be provided:

• Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation.
• Names and addresses of 2 company directors (who will be guarantors).
• Australian Business Number (ABN).

For more information, please contact the Property and Maritime Licensing Officer.

If you intend to conduct any works on your jetty, a permit to modify the jetty is required.

You will need to provide the following:

• Complete the Maritime licence application form (available below) and select; 'Modify'.
• Design drawings signed by a licensed engineer.
• Site plan showing the jetty dimensions and its location in relation to the applicant's property (A4-size) The plan must include all other structures, e.g. boat ramps, other jetties and mooring poles.
• Confirmation that the jetty number is properly displayed on the structure.
• Copies of all relevant approvals.

Please download the Maritime licence application form below.

Applications to transfer a jetty licence from one owner to another follows the same process as a new application. However, the current licensee must provide the Department of Transport with a Notice of intention to relinquish jetty licence form that they have no objections to the transfer.

Please submit the Maritime licence application form below, selecting 'Transfer'.

The Department does not reimburse licence fees for transfers. Licensees may wish to adjust the property price to reflect any unusual or unpaid licence fees directly with the vendor or settlement agent.

The date listed on a transferred jetty licence will be the date of transfer of ownership of the relevant property, as shown in the Certificate of Title.

The Department of Transport does not reimburse any fees on the cancellation of a licence.

Each jetty licence will have a unique licence number.

The licence number must be:

• Displayed above the winter high-water level.
• Visible from both the shore and on the water.
• In a contrasting colour to the structure.
• At least 75 mm high.