Regulations and approvals for non-development activities
Aquaculture licensing and approvals
As well as the approvals you may need for development activities, there is a range of approvals that you may need for non-development related activities.
The table below outlines some of the approvals that you may need for non-development activities.
We strongly recommend that you contact Fisheries Queensland on 13 25 23 to discuss your proposal and the approvals required.
| Activity | Approval type | Legislation | Assessing agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access/use of terrestrial land | Tenure | Land Act 1994 | Department of Resources |
| Access/use of tidal land for aquaculture activities (other than inlet/outlet) | Resource allocation authority (RAA) | Fisheries Act 1994 | Fisheries Queensland |
| Access/use of tidal land for aquaculture activities (other than inlet/outlet) | Works in a marine park | Marine Parks Act 2004 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 | Department of Environment and Science (DES) / Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) |
|
Access/use of tidal land for inlet/outlet structures | Permit to occupy | Land Act 1994 | Department of Resources |
| Discharge into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for land-based aquaculture adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef | The Australian Government has accredited Queensland laws under these regulations, allowing for a single assessment process | Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Aquaculture) Regulations 2000 | No separate assessment by GBRMPA if complies with accreditation details |
| Potential impacts to matters of national environmental significance (World Heritage properties, national heritage places, wetlands of international importance [Ramsar wetlands], threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, and Commonwealth marine areas) | Assessment under Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 | Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 | Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Collection of regulated species from the wild |
Fishing licence General fisheries permit (GFP) | Fisheries Act 1994 | Fisheries Queensland |
| Collection of regulated species from the wild | Permit for take of protected species | Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 | Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Collection of regulated species from the wild | Permit for take of protected species | Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 | GBRMPA |
| Purchase of broodstock from licensed commercial fishers | Docket of sale | Fisheries Act 1994 | Fisheries Queensland |
| Translocation of aquatic animals into Queensland from other states | Translocation approval | Fisheries Act 1994 | Fisheries Queensland |
|
Importation of aquatic animals from outside Australia | Import permit | Quarantine Act 1908 | Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Food safety (if product is for human consumption) | Compliance with Food Safety Program | Food Act 2006, Food Production (Safety) Act 2000 |
Safe Food Queensland Queensland Health |
| Stocking of public dams and impoundments | General fisheries permit (GFP) | Fisheries Act 1994 | Fisheries Queensland |
Access to public waterways
You will need a resource allocation authority (RAA) for developments on unallocated tidal land or in Queensland waters, or for works within the boundary of a declared fish habitat area.
An RAA, authorised under the Fisheries Act 1994, does not give you any right of ownership or tenure over the land. An RAA also does not grant you the right to carry out the proposed development without a valid development approval.
You do not need an RAA for an aquaculture development that involves an intake or discharge structure if only a part of it is within unallocated state land. However, you may need other approvals (e.g. permission to perform works within a marine park).
Collecting broodstock and culture stock
In most cases, you will need a permit to collect broodstock or culture stock from the wild for use in Queensland aquaculture facilities.
You may also need other approvals (e.g. permission to take protected species from within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, or Native Title notification).
Moving or importing live aquaculture
You must follow species-specific health protocols and secure approval to translocate live aquatic animals into and within Queensland.
Health protocols help to minimise the risk of introducing diseases into Queensland waters and are based on good biosecurity measures and farm management practices. For specific fish species, movement restrictions are enforced to protect areas that are free from certain endemic disease or pathogens.
Learn more about moving live aquatic animals.
Stocking of public dams and impoundments
You must have a permit to stock public dams and impoundments. Fish stocking involves producing fish fingerlings and releasing them into dams, weirs and rivers.
Also consider...
- Read the Health management technical guidelines for aquaculture (PDF, 58KB).
- Find out more about resource allocation authorities.
- Read our aquaculture fees and forms guide for more information about assessment fees and application forms for aquaculture activities.
- Last reviewed: 6 Dec 2021
- Last updated: 6 Dec 2021