Compensation processes for commercial fishers in Western Australia are primarily administered under two pieces of legislation. Compensation for the surrender of licences or entitlement is governed by the Fisheries Adjustment Schemes Act 1987 (FAS Act), and compensation for the impacts of marine parks is determined under the Fishing and Related Industries Compensation (Marine Reserves) Act 1997.
Fisheries adjustment schemes
Fisheries adjustment schemes are provided for under the FAS Act. This legislation provides for:
- voluntary adjustment schemes (VFAS), which allow eligible fishers to voluntarily surrender their licences or entitlement in return for payment from Government.
- compulsory schemes (CFAS), which are compulsory in nature and fishers must surrender their licences or entitlement. There is a State Administrative Tribunal appeal avenue associated, given the compulsory nature of the scheme.
In April 2026, applications open for both a VFAS and CFAS.
The key differences between the schemes can be summarised as follows:
| CFAS | VFAS | |
| Nature of participation | Compulsory |
Voluntary |
| Method of determining payment amount | Direct negotiation, with right to appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal if agreement can not be reached | Informed by advice from independent committee of management Minister and applicant need to agree. If there is no agreement to the payment amount, the surrender does not proceed. |
| Appeal avenue | Via State Administrative Tribunal | None |
| Eligible fishers |
|
14 fisheries with the potential to be impacted by marine park implementation in the Kimberley and South Coast |
| Application periods | 10 April to 22 May 2026 (6 weeks) | 10 April to 29 May 2026 (7 weeks) |
Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (VFAS)
Marine Park introduction in the Kimberley and South Coast regions
The Fisheries Adjustment Schemes Act 1987 provides for the payment of compensation for the surrender of an authorisation or entitlement. Where the Minister considers it desirable to establish a Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (VFAS), a Committee of Management is established to provide advice to the Minister on offers made to the VFAS.
A VFAS opened on 10 April 2026 for commercial fishers operating in the Kimberley and South Coast regions. The VFAS provides an opportunity for commercial fishers potentially impacted by the introduction of marine parks to voluntarily exit the industry. Commercial fishers from specific fisheries can apply to surrender their fishing licence or parts of their entitlement units in return for a compensation payment. Applications close 29 May 2026.
DPIRD has written directly to all eligible fishers with information outlining the application process and guidance on valuation.
A Committee of Management has been appointed to provide independent advice to the Minister on applications and offers to the VFAS.
A notice for each fishery has been published in the Government Gazette on 10 April 2026. The notice contains further information regarding the scope and terms of the scheme.
Kimberley fisheries
- Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Limited Entry Fishery
- Kimberely Crab Managed Fishery
- Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery
- Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery – Area 1 only
Statewide fisheries
- Specimen Shell Managed Fishery
- Marine Aquarium Managed Fishery
South Coast fisheries
- South Coast Line and Fish Trap Managed Fishery
- South Coast Nearshore Net Managed Fishery
- South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery – Zone 3 and 4
- South Coast Salmon Managed Fishery
- Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery – Zone 2
- Octopus Interim Managed Fishery – Zone 3
- South Coast Crustacean Managed Fishery – Zone 2, 3 and 4
- Abalone Managed Fishery – Area 1, Area 2, Area 3 and Area 5
More information
For further information, view the FAQs or direct all other enquiries to vfas@dpird.wa.gov.au
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Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (VFAS) FAQs - April 2026pdf (284 KB)
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Compensation Working Group report - March 2026
Compulsory Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (CFAS)
West Coast demersal scalefish resource
The WA Government has committed $20 million towards a Compulsory Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (CFAS) ‘buy out’ for the commercial gillnet and line (south of Kalbarri) fisheries in the west coast.
To provide immediate support while the CFAS was being established, an Act of Grace advance payment was offered to provide immediate financial support to impacted commercial licence holders in the west coast bioregion. Offers closed on 7 April 2026.
Commercial licence holders were given 60 days to provide written feedback on the proposed scheme. Following consideration of submissions, the State Government will open applications for a 6‑week period from 10 April to 22 May 2026. Eligible licence holders will receive a letter from DPIRD providing advice on the application process and additional supporting information.
A notice establishing the CFAS has been published in the Government Gazette on 10 April 2026. The notice contains further information regarding the scope and terms of the scheme.
Unlike in a VFAS, there is no requirement for an independent Committee of Management to provide advice to support the CFAS.
The CFAS scheme applies to all commercial licence holders in the:
- West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery
- South-West and Mid West areas of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Interim Managed Fishery
- Zone 1 and Zone 3 of the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery.
More information
For further information read the FAQs or direct all other enquiries to cfas@dpird.wa.gov.au
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Compulsory Fisheries Adjustment Scheme FAQs - April 2026pdf (269 KB)
Marine park compensation
The Fishing and Related Industries Compensation (Marine Reserves) Act 1997 (FRICMA) provides for payment of compensation to commercial fishers affected by the establishment of a marine park if the market value of the authorisation is reduced following introduction of the marine park zoning.
The FRICMA process commences after the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) implement the marine park final zoning schemes. The VFAS also needs to have concluded before the compensation amounts are determined, as it is possible that the voluntary buy-out may offset any loss in market value arising from the marine park.
DPIRD expects the FRICMA compensation processes for the South Coast and Kimberley marine parks to commence in 2027.
DPIRD will advise all licensees in fisheries impacted by a marine park and the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) when it is time to apply for compensation.