A message from Kell Dillon, General Manager, Maritime Safety Queensland
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is urging boaties to prioritise safety this Easter school holidays by complying with new lifejacket rules and adhering to speed limits on the water.
Ahead of the holidays, I would like to take the opportunity to remind you that the safety requirements and laws for wearing lifejackets changed on 1 December 2024. MSQ has been undertaking a period of education, with enforcement beginning 1 July 2025.
These lifejacket rules are in place to protect you and your loved ones. There were 64 boating fatalities in Queensland in the last five years, and only five were known to be wearing their lifejackets at the time of the incident. Data shows that the people who are at the highest risk of drowning at sea include children and those boating alone, at night, or when crossing coastal bars. This change was broadly supported by stakeholder and community consultations undertaken by MSQ in 2022.
When do you need to wear a lifejacket?
- Boating alone or only with children under 12 on an open boat <4.8m while underway.
- Crossing a coastal bar on an open boat or an open area of any boat.
- Children 1–11 years old on an open boat or open area of a boat.
- Boating at night on an open boat <4.8m while underway.
- People using small sailboats, pedal boats, rafts, rowboats (except Club Surfboats by Surf Lifesaving Australia), and sea/surf kayaks when crossing a coastal bar.
Note – The rules do not apply to craft like body/boogie boards, surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, kite surfers and windsurfers. Wearing the right lifejacket is an important safety practice, especially when boating in situations of heightened risk. For optimal safety, from 1 September 2025 lifejackets must meet the current Australian Standard (AS 4758).
Help spread the message!
To ensure the community is aware of these changes, we are asking for your help to educate the public on these important safety requirements.
Please see below links to helpful educational resources, posters and social media content.
Find resources here: Lifejacket Rules resources
To find out more about the rule changes, head to: www.msq.qld.gov.au/safety/lifejackets
For more information, contact:
