Once all required information for the licence application has been submitted and payment is made, the department will begin assessing the application and start consultation with relevant stakeholders, internal and external.
The department may also seek public comment on applications and will advertise the opportunity to make comment.
Administrative guidelines outlining further detail on the assessment process are available on the department's digital library.
Applying for the grant or variation of a licence
When applying for an aquaculture licence, or the variation of an existing licence, we require additional information to assist with the assessment of these applications. Refer to the following to familiarise yourself with the requirements.
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New licence (freehold land)docx (75 KB)
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New licence (non-freehold land/waters)docx (73 KB)
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Variation (freehold land)docx (68 KB)
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Variation (non-freehold land/waters)docx (69 KB)
Applying for the grant of a lease
Proposals in coastal waters or areas vested in the Minister for Fisheries are required to be accompanied by an application for an aquaculture lease as well as the relevant Additional information sheet and Aquaculture Development Plan:
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New lease (non-freehold land/waters)pdf (95 KB)
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Aquaculture Development Planpdf (919 KB)
Applying for the grant of an exemption
An application for an exemption to conduct an aquaculture trial or collect broodstock is required to be accompanied by the relevant additional information sheet.
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Exemption (aquaculture trial)docx (65 KB)
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Exemption (broodstock collection)docx (63 KB)
A key part of the department's role is to ensure environmental management and regulation of the industry. Issues around biosecurity are an important consideration and must be addressed to protect biodiversity and prevent the spread of aquatic pests and diseases.
Unless exempt, applicants must develop Management and Environmental Monitoring Plans (MEMPs) in support of a licence application. The below guidance statement and document template provide guidance in relation to developing a MEMP.
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Aquaculture management and environmental monitoring plan (MEMP) guidance statementpdf (390 KB)
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Aquaculture management and environmental monitoring plan (MEMP) templatedoc (151 KB)
When assessing applications over coastal waters, the department consults with the Department of Transport to determine any navigational marking and lighting requirements.
The level of marking and lighting required is dependent on the activities taking place and the location of a proposed or existing site. Applications over coastal waters are required to be accompanied by a completed marking and lighting guidance statement.
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Marking and lighting guidance statementpdf (424 KB)
Written approval from the CEO is required if a proposal involves the translocation of non-native fish:
- to areas outside the historic range of the species
- to areas which contain genetically distinct populations of the species
- from an area where a reportable disease is known to occur.
In some cases, a translocation assessment may also be required.
Referral of applications and proposals to other agencies for assessment
Aquaculture proposals may be referred to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for further assessment. A referral and the subsequent decision by the EPA, regarding assessment of a proposal, depends on a number of considerations of significance, such as the location and scale of the proposed aquaculture activity.