How do I obtain a fishing licence?
From 1 July 2017, Victorian anglers can buy a:
- 3 day licence for $10
- 28 day licence for $20.30
- 1 year licence for $35.70 ($33.60 if purchased online)
- 3 year licence for $96.70 ($91.60 if purchased online).
The RFL is GST exempt.
Click here to go to VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY to purchase your license.
Electronic 3 day and 28 day RFL (PDF versions) are also available from selected retail businesses throughout Victoria, including most fishing tackle stores.
An RFL may be purchased to come into effect on a date, for up to 3 months from the actual date of purchase.
The easiest way to purchase an RFL is via the online form. The RFL is also available from many recreational fishing licence outlets throughout Victoria, including most retail fishing tackle stores. An RFL may be purchased to come into effect on a future date, for up to 3 months from the actual date of its purchase.
It is your responsibility to hold a current RFL when fishing in Victoria. Your RFL may not be loaned or transferred to another person.
New fees come into effect from 1 July every year.
Plastic licences
Plastic card recreational fishing licences are available for 1 year and 3 year licences that are bought online. The card should arrive in the mail within seven/ten working days of purchase. Upon purchase online, you will be emailed an electronic PDF of the licence immediately, which you can store electronically on a smartphone or tablet.
28 day and 3 day licences are still available for online purchase, but will only be provided in electronic PDF format via email. You may print a hard copy or store electronically on a smartphone or tablet.
Please make sure you read the exemptions listed below and that you do not already hold a licence as the purchase of a licence is non-refundable.
Do I need a licence?
A Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) covers, all forms of recreational fishing in all of Victoria’s marine, estuarine and inland waters.
Unless you are exempt, a RFL is required when taking, or attempting to take, any species of fish by any method including line fishing, bait collection, gathering shellfish, yabby fishing, prawning and spear fishing.
Who is exempt?
You will not need a licence to fish if you are:
- under 18 years of age;
- 70 years of age or over;.
or a holder of a:
- Victorian Seniors Card or interstate equivalent;
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Card;
- Veterans’ Affairs Repatriation Health Card coded (TPI)
- Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card coded either (DSP), (DSP Blind), (AGE), (AGE Blind) or (CAR)
- Or a member of a traditional owner group fishing within an area subject to a natural resource agreement relevant to that traditional owner group.
Ordinary HealthCare Card, PPS (Parenting Payment Single) and Newstart benefit cards do not afford an exemption to requiring an RFL.
What happens if I don’t have a licence?
Fisheries Officers will be on patrol to ensure fishers hold a valid licence. Penalties apply for fishing without a licence.
To read the entire guidelines, please visit: VFA Obtaining a Fishing License
