Complete Guide to New South Wales, Australia Fishing Licences

New South Wales presents anglers with a big problem: Where do we start? With so many fishing options, freshwater and saltwater, knowing where to fish and when is the first problem, but there’s another issue: what type of fishing license do you need to fish in NSW?

Beach fishing, offshore game fishing, freshwater, and large estuaries, New South Wales has something to offer anglers of all ages and experience levels. However, before you drop your bait or cast a lure, you must have a fishing license.

In the following guide to New South Wales fishing licenses, we’ll cover:

While it’s great when you hook a fish that you’re targeting, sometimes things don’t always go the way you planned, which leaves you fighting a much larger fish than you expected. In Fighting a Fish Even When You’re Outmatched, we’ll cover everything you need to know about landing those unexpected monsters!

The premium Fishing Forecasting App, Fishbox App, allows anglers to track weather, tide, and atmospheric conditions to accurately predict the best times to go fishing in New South Wales, significantly increasing your chances of catching great fish. It even has helpful information about local hotspots and secret fishing locations contributed by users.

Types of Fishing Licenses

Anyone over the age of 18 who is planning on fishing in NSW, even just for a day, in both saltwater and freshwater, is required to purchase a fishing license. While fishing, you must carry your receipt, which is proof of purchase, with you at all times. 

You can find out more information about NSW fishing licenses by visiting the Service NSW website. It’s essential to check the website regularly in case there have been any updates to season, size, and bag limits.

New South Wales offers recreational anglers four different license types, including:

• 3 Day Fishing License; 
• 1 Month Fishing License;
• Annual Fishing License;
• 3 Year Fishing License. 

Cost of Fishing Licenses

With an abundance of fishing opportunities, both saltwater and freshwater, it’s no surprise that thousands of anglers flock to the waters of NSW every year to take advantage of its excellent fishing opportunities. 

Regardless of whether you’re chasing Trout in a freshwater river, a feed of Flathead or Bream in one of the many estuaries located along the coastline, or heading out into the ocean chasing large Tuna, NSW has something for everyone and every skill level.

New South Wales offers recreational anglers four different license types, including:

• 3 Day Fishing License – $7.00;
• 1 Month Fishing License – $14.00; 
• Annual Fishing License – $35.00;
• 3 Year Fishing License – $85.00.

Please note you will need a fishing license to fish in both freshwater and saltwater in NSW, Australia, and carry proof of purchase with you while fishing. If you purchase either the annual fishing license or a three-year fishing license, it also includes a plastic-printed fishing license.

Age Requirements for Fishing License

Any children or teenagers under the age of 18 aren’t required to have a recreational fishing license in NSW, Australia. Along with children and teenagers under 18, the following people are exempt from purchasing a fishing license:

• Anyone assisting a child or teenager under the age of 18.
• Aboriginal people.
• Anglers fishing in private waters are not connected to public waterways under 2 hectares in size.
• Pensioners with a valid concession card issued by Centrelink.
• Pensioners with a valid concession card issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Cardholders.
• DVA letter stating they receive a disability pension of 70% or higher.

You can find out more about the exemptions by visiting the Department of Primary Industries website.

Where to Obtain a Fishing License

NSW makes it easy for anglers to purchase a fishing license by offering in-person purchasing, online purchasing, and phone purchasing.

• Online – You can purchase a fishing license online in NSW by visiting the Service NSW website and completing the online application.
• Phone – You can purchase a fishing license in NSW by calling 1300 369 365.
• In-Person – You can purchase a fishing license in person by visiting a Service NSW Centre during business hours or by contacting a fishing license agent at one of the locations listed here.

Complete Guide to New South Wales, Australia Fishing Licences | Conclusion

Now, you should clearly understand what type of fishing license you need, how much they cost, and where to buy one.

Following season, size, and bag limits, along with leaving your fishing areas as clean as you found them, having the appropriate New South Wales fishing license will ensure that future generations of NSW anglers get to enjoy these beautiful, pristine waters for many years to come.

The Fishbox App allows anglers to accurately track weather conditions and predict the best time to go fishing. Fishbox App utilizes in-depth analysis of weather patterns, fish behavior, and tidal and lunar conditions to predict the best times to go angling and when you’re better off relaxing at home.

If you have any questions about New South Wales, Australia, fishing licenses, or would like to learn more about the fantastic fishing on offer in NSW, please don’t hesitate to drop a comment below, and if you found it helpful, give it a share.