Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence
Buy Your Licence Online
To purchase your licence online you will need a printer to provide proof of purchase.
Licence Outlets
Fishing tackle shops, DPI Offices and other retailers sell Recreational Fishing Licences.
Do I Need a Licence?
A Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) covers, all forms of recreational fishing in all of Victoria's marine, estuarine and freshwaters.
Unless you are exempt, a RFL is required when taking, or attempting to take, any species of fish by any method including line fishing, bait collection, gathering shellfish, yabby fishing, prawning and spear fishing.
Who is Exempt?
You will not need a licence to fish if you are:
- under 18 years of age;
- 70 years of age or over;.
or a holder of a:
- Victorian Seniors Card or interstate equivalent;
- Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Card;
- Veterans' Affairs Repatriation Health Card coded (TPI)
- Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card coded either (DSP), (DSP Blind), (AGE), (AGE Blind) or (CAR)
What Happens if I Don't Have a Licence?
Fisheries Officers will be on patrol to ensure fishers hold a valid licence. Penalties apply for fishing without a licence.
How do I Obtain a Licence?
Victorian anglers now have the option to buy a three-year Recreational Fishing Licence for $66. This presents a saving of $7.50 on the combined cost of purchasing three annual licences. Anglers can still buy the one-year RFL for $24.50, the 28-day RFL for $12, and the 2-day RFL for $6.
The RFL may be purchased to come into effect on a future date for up to one year from the date of purchase. An RFL may not be loaned or transferred to another person.
The RFL is available from many DPI offices and more than 980 retail businesses throughout Victoria, including most retail fishing tackle stores.
Your Licence Fees at Work
Every year the fees you pay for your Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) are allocated to projects that directly improve recreational fishing in Victoria.
A Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group including representatives of the recreational fishing sector determines priorities and makes recommendations to the Minister Responsible for Fisheries on how the money should be spent.
Your Licence Fees at Work brochure highlights a range of completed funded projects from around the state. More detailed information about projects funded year to year is also available.
Future Projects
DPI will be considering project proposals on an ongoing basis.
Find out more about projects here or call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186
Know Your Limits
When going fishing remember to pick up the latest edition of the Recreational Fishing Guide from your RFL agent or DPI office.
This guide has details of size and catch limits and other regulations.The Recreational Fishing Guide can also be found on this website.
Guide to bays and inlets as defined in the Fisheries Regulations 2009
Maps showing the bays and inlets defined in the Fisheries Regulations 2009
Interstate Fishing
A Victorian RFL is not valid in other states so check if you need a licence if you intend to fish interstate.
Lost your licence?
You can request a free replacement by calling the Fisheries licensing group on (03) 9658 4305.
