Boating on ACT lakes
The Lakes Act 1976 (the Act) and new Lakes Regulation 2019 detail the safety requirements and rules for operating boats on designated ACT lakes.
These lakes are:
- Lake Ginninderra
- Lake Tuggeranong
- Kingston Harbour
- Molonglo River above Lake Burley Griffin
- Gungahlin Pond
- Yerrabi Pond.
These laws don’t apply to Lake Burley Griffin, which is regulated by the National Capital Authority (NCA).
Read about Lake Burley Griffin management on the NCA website.
Boat licences and registration
To operate a boat on ACT lakes, you need a boat licence and a registered boat, unless that boat is exempt from registration.
Get a licence or register a boat
The ACT Government does not have a boat licence or registration scheme.
However, all boats must still be registered, and you still need a boat licence from another state or territory.
If you want to get a boat licence or register a boat, you need to contact another state or territory’s relevant agency.
Boat licence requirements
For recreational powered boating, the speed a boat is driven determines whether you need ACT Government approval:
- Boats operated at a speed under 10 knots don’t require separate approval.
- Boats operated at a speed over 10 knots must hold a licence from any state or territory and require ACT Government approval.
- Any condition or restriction of that licence must be complied with.
Boat registration requirements
Power boats operated on ACT lakes must be registered with an Australian state or territory.
You need to comply with any condition or restriction of that registration in the ACT.
Authorisation for lake use
For certain boat types, you need to contact Access Canberra for an authorisation before using them on ACT lakes.
Power boats
You can use a power boat on:
- Lake Ginninderra
- Lake Tuggeranong
- Kingston Harbour
- Molonglo River above Lake Burley Griffin.
You don’t need authorisation if a power boat travels under 10 knots.
You must apply for an authorisation to travel more than 10 knots.
To apply for an authorisation, email Environment.protection@act.gov.au or call 13 22 81.
The NCA regulates powered boat use on Lake Burley Griffin. You need approval from the NCA to operate a powered boat on Lake Burley Griffin.
Contact the NCA on 02 6271 2888 or email info@nca.gov.au.
Electric boats
You need authorisation to use an electric power boat on Googong Dam/Reservoir.
Apply to use an electric power boat on Googong dam
Boating safety
In the ACT you must wear or carry an appropriate life jacket when on a boat in the ACT’s lakes. There are fines for not following the rules.
- All people on a boat less than 4.8 metres in length must wear a life jacket when unaccompanied by someone over 12 years of age; when on a boat at night; when visibility is restricted (for example, in fog or mist, heavy rain, snow, dust storm).
- All boats 4.8 metres or more in length must carry a life jacket for each person on the boat. They must be stored in an easily accessible location with a clearly visible sign ‘lifejacket’.
- All children under 12 years old in an open area of a boat under 8 metres in length must wear a lifejacket.
There are exemptions for lifejackets in certain circumstances.
Lifejacket requirements for boats
Falling into water can be serious, especially in Canberra where lake temperatures can fall between 9 and 16.5 degrees. Wearing a life jacket will improve your chance of survival. Canoe, kayak, kiteboard, paddleboard, sailboard or surfboard at night-time
| Type of boat and people aboard | Must wear a life jacket | Must carry a life jacket for each person on the boat |
|---|---|---|
| Boats under 4.8 metres operated at night | Yes | N/A (must wear lifejacket) |
| Boats under 4.8 metres and if alone on the boat | Yes | N/A& (must wear lifejacket) |
| Boats under 4.8 metres and accompanied by another person over the age of 12 years | No | Yes |
| Canoe, kayak, kiteboard, paddleboard, sailboard or surfboard while alone | Yes | N/A (must wear lifejacket) |
| Canoe, kayak, kiteboard, paddleboard, sailboard or surfboard if accompanied by another person over the age of 12 years | No | No |
| Canoe, kayak, kiteboard, paddleboard, sailboard or surfboard at night-time | yes | No |
| Recreational boats under 8 metres with a child under 12 years in an open area of the boat | Yes | N/A (child under 12 years must wear lifejacket) |
| Rowing shell | No | No |
| Any other recreational boat not listed or including dragon boats. | No | Yes |
Dragon boats
Dragon boats have additional operating requirements in relation to lifejackets. Dragon boat operating requirements mean:
- operating within 200 metres of the shore
- in weather conditions that are not, and are not predicted to become, unsuitable for boating
- where each person on board has undergone a safety drill in relation to possible emergencies arising on the boat
- if the boat is operating in a channel, the dragon boat on the starboard side is not in the middle of the channel
- if operating at night or with restricted visibility, must meet relevant lighting requirements.
| Type of boat and people aboard | Must wear a life jacket | Must carry a life jacket for each person on the boat |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon boat that meets the dragon boat operating requirements and is carrying the required safety equipment | No | No |
| Dragon boat that is operating when a person on board has not participated in an appropriate safety drill | No | Yes |
General safety equipment for recreational boats
Recreational boats (other than canoes, kayaks, kiteboards, paddleboards, sailboards and surfboards) must also carry:
- Sound signal (whistle, air horn, bell)
- Waterproof torch
- Fire extinguisher (if the boat has an electric start motor, gas installation, fuel stove or battery)
- Bilge pump (if the boat has a covered bilge or a closed under floor compartment)
- Paddle or pair or oars with rowlocks (for boats less than 6 metres in length with only one independent means of propulsion)
- Bailer, bucket or fire bucket (if not carrying a bilge pump or if a sailboat with a permanently enclosed self-draining hull).
Safety equipment for different types of boats.
| Type of boat | Safety equipment required |
|---|---|
| Small boat (dinghy, rowboat or inflatable boat less than 3 metres in length). | If operating in daylight within 200 metres of the shore, no requirements. |
| Dragon boat that meets the dragon boat operating requirements |
General requirements apply, or the following safety equipment:
|
| No requirements |
Recreational boat not already listed above. Examples
| General requirements apply |
Lighting requirements
Recreational boats must have appropriate lighting when operated at night or when visibility is restricted (e.g., in fog or mist, heavy rain, snow, dust storm).
| Type of boat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Power boat | None. |
| Power boat (under 7 metres length and max speed of 7 knots) | All round white light |
| Power boats: 7 metres or more, less than 12 metres or Under 7 metres but with max speed more than 7 knots) | Side lights, a masthead light and a sternlight (or an all-round white light) |
| Power boat 12 metres or more length (but less than 20 metres) | Sternlight, masthead light and separate (or combined) sidelights |
| Power boat 20 metres or more in length | Sternlight, masthead light and separate sidelights |
| Sailing boat | None. |
| Sailing boat under 7 metres and boats being rowed | A combine lantern or separate side lights, a sternlight and electric torch (or lighted lantern that is ready for immediate use) |
| Sailing boat 7 metres but less than 20 metres in length | Separate sidelights and a sternlight, or a combined lantern |
| Sailing boat 20 metres or more in length | Separate sidelights and a sternlight |
| Rowing boats, kayaks and canoes | None. |
| More than 4 metres in length | LED light on the fore and aft end of the boat. LED light must be visible at distance of 1 kilometre from the boat in any direction |
| Less than 4 metres in length | Electric torch or lighted lantern that shows a white light |
Alcohol and other drugs
Operating any boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and unsafe.
A designated driver must remain under the legal alcohol limit to operate or move your vessel.
Random breath and drug testing can be conducted on the operator of a vessel while it is underway, including drifting.
Blood alcohol limits:
- 0.00 for all vessel operators under 18 years and for any commercial vessel operators
- Less than 0.05 for recreational boat operators over 18 years
Operator means:
- anyone steering or exercising control over the course or direction of a boat
- a person in a boat being towed by a boat
- a person supervising the operator of a boat who is under 16 years of age.
It is an offence for the master of a boat to allow another person to operate a boat if they have reason to believe that person is under the influence of alcohol or any other drug.
Offences and penalties
Some offences incur on-the-spot fines as well as court summons where higher penalties are applied.
The following attract on-the-spot fines of up to $500, to a maximum of $5,250 for court-imposed penalty:
- Not wearing or carrying the required life jacket or safety equipment.
- Operating an unregistered boat.
- Breaching a condition of a boat’s registration.
- Exceeding the speed limit.
- Exceeding the allowed power rating for boats.
- Operating power boats near swimming areas.
- Misconduct when operating or on a power boat.
- Interfering with navigation aids and/or safety equipment.
- Contravening required boat lighting rules when operating in low visibility and at night.
For all offences and penalties, view the Lakes Regulation 2019.