Every registered recreational powerboat in Australia has to show its registration number on the hull, and each state sets its own rules for how. Get the height, position or colour wrong and the number may not count, even if it's there. This guide sets out the rules state by state, then covers stickers for boat names, logos and fishing clubs, and how to make vinyl last on a boat.
How big do boat registration numbers need to be?
For a powerboat, the common rule is characters at least 150mm tall, on both sides of the hull, towards the bow and well above the waterline, in a colour that contrasts with the hull. Jet skis and other personal watercraft (PWC) usually need 100mm. The details differ by state:
| State | Where | Height | Rego label? |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Both sides, well above the waterline (sailing boats: on the transom) | 150mm; PWC 100mm | No longer required |
| VIC | Each side, forward, near the gunwale | 150mm; PWC 100mm | Required, in an obvious position |
| QLD | Both sides (non-planing boats: both sides or the stern) | 150mm; non-planing 75mm; PWC 100mm | Not required since October 2019 |
| WA | Both sides, clearly visible, not under the flare of the bow | 150mm; PWC 100mm* | Required, on the port side next to the number |
| SA | Both sides, towards the bow, on a vertical surface | 150mm (boats under 3m: 100mm) | Not required since September 2023 |
| TAS | Each side | 150mm; PWC 75mm | Fee label displayed prominently |
| NT | Recreational boats don't need to be registered | ||
| ACT | No ACT scheme: boats are registered in another state, and that state's rules apply | ||
*Sources differ on the WA jet ski figure. WA also asks for black, plain block characters, with a white surround at least 7mm wide on a hull that isn't white.
Rules change, and these are summaries. Before you order numbers, check your state's page: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
Can a printed sticker be my rego number?
Yes, as long as it meets your state's height, position and contrast rules. A printed sticker with dark characters on a white background is an easy way to get strong contrast on any hull colour, and it suits the WA rule for a white surround on non-white hulls.
Plan the size around the characters, not the sticker. At 150mm characters, a typical registration number runs to 60cm or more, so it is a custom size rather than one of our standard stickers. Ask us for a quote with your state, the registration number and your hull colour, and we will confirm the options for your number. Order two, one for each side.
What about boat names?
We found no state rule requiring a recreational boat to have a name, so a name is up to you. The exception is a boat registered on the Australian General Shipping Register, usually for overseas voyages, which must be marked with its name on each bow and its name and home port on the stern.
A name on the transom or the topsides reads best in big, simple letters with strong contrast, like a registration number. Script fonts look good up close and disappear from the next boat ramp.
Boat logos, fishing club and tackle box stickers
Not every boat sticker is official. Fishing clubs, charter operators, boat dealers and tackle brands all use smaller stickers on hulls, consoles, eskies and tackle boxes:
- Club and brand logos — a die cut sticker at 10–15cm for a console or a hull, smaller for tackle boxes.
- Fishing comp and membership stickers — dated circles that members collect year to year.
- Esky and rod holder stickers — a name or logo so gear comes home with the right boat.
- Safety reminders — "life jackets here" or a capacity reminder on the console.
To see how a size looks on a toolbox or esky lid, try our decal size planner.
Will vinyl stickers last on a boat?
Our stickers are printed on premium vinyl with a protective laminate, rated for up to five years outdoors. A boat is a harder life than a car: salt spray, strong reflected sun and constant wetting and drying. A few things help:
- Keep stickers well above the waterline, out of the wash and spray zone where possible.
- Apply to a clean, dry, wax-free hull in the shade. Hull polish and wax stop adhesive gripping, so clean the spot first.
- Rinse with fresh water after each trip, as you would the rest of the boat.
- Check registration numbers each season, and replace them before they fade or lift: a number that can't be read may not count.
Why the sun is so hard on vinyl is explained in how long vinyl stickers last outdoors in Australia, and application tips are in applying a vinyl decal without bubbles.
This guide is a general summary, not legal advice. Boating rules are set by each state and territory maritime authority; check yours before applying registration numbers.
