Maritime Safety Queensland to enforce new lifejacket laws from July 1

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and partner agencies will begin enforcing non-compliance with new lifejacket laws from July 1, 2025.

MSQ said the new laws are aimed at making boating a safer activity for the more than one million Queenslanders with recreational boating licences, as well as their passengers.

The laws, which mandate that boaters must wear their lifejackets in certain high-risk situations, have been in place since December 1, 2024.

MSQ said the new laws mean lifejackets must be worn, "at times of greatest risk," such as crossing designated coastal bars, and when boating alone or at night on smaller vessels.

A lifejacket must also be worn by a passenger aged under 12 years (aged one year or more but less than 12 years) in an open boat, or the open area of a boat, of any length while underway.

MSQ said wearing a lifejacket is compulsory when crossing a coastal bar on certain craft in the style and risk profile of: small sailing boats (such as lasers, herons); pedal boats; rafts, including inflatable rafts; rowboats (excluding Surf Life Saving Australia Club Surfboats); and sea and surf kayaks.

Since the introduction of the new laws in December 2024, MSQ has focused on educating boaters about the new requirements rather than "coming down hard" on those not complying.

However, the grace period will end on July 1, during the winter school holidays period, and MSQ is warning boaters that if they fail to comply after that date, they may be fined.

Fines for not complying with lifejacket laws will start at $333.

Sixty-four people drowned in Queensland boating accidents over the five years between 2019 and 2023, and only five were wearing lifejackets, MSQ said in a press release.

For more information on the right type of life jacket for different activities, please visit the MSQ website.