New Lifejacket Laws

12 November 2018

South Australian lifejacket laws have changed to help keep our community safe when enjoying our states’ waterways.

New regulations came into effect from the 1st December 2017 and an awareness and education phase was undertaken by DPTI Marine Safety Officers for 12 months to enable boaters to become familiar and to replace existing lifejackets where necessary.

Check the table below to see when and what type of lifejacket you and your crew now need to wear. More information is available here.

Or use this quick online tool to help you play your cards right with the correct lifejacket and keep everyone safe on the water.

Lifejacket requirements

Note: Children less than 12 years of age, or weighing less than 40kg, must not wear an inflatable lifejacket.

Children of or under 12 years of age when: on vessels not more than 4.8 m fitted with engine when underway or anchored and when in an open area of a vessel not less than 4.8 but not more than 12 metres when underway or at anchor
PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 100 or above
UNPROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 100 or above
Vessels not more than 4.8 metres fitted with engine when underway or anchored
PROTECTED WATERS	all persons must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above (see requirements above for children)
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must be equipped with Level 100 or above for all persons, but all persons must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above (see requirements above for children)
UNPROTECTED WATERS	all must wear Level 100 or above (see requirements above for children)
Vessels not less than 4.8 metres but not more than 12 metres when underway or anchored
PROTECTED WATERS	children of or under 12 years on an open deck must wear Level 50 or Level 100 or above
PROTECTED WATERS	all other persons when on an open deck at times of heightened risk must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above (see requirements above for children)
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must be equipped with level 100 or above for all persons
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	all persons when on an open deck and at times of heightened risk must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above (see requirements above for children)
UNPROTECTED WATERS	must be equipped with level 100 or above for all persons (see requirements above for children)
UNPROTECTED WATERS	all other persons when on an open deck and at times of heightened risk must wear Level 100 or above
Personal watercraft
PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50 or Level 50S
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50 or Level 50S
UNPROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50 or Level 50S
Paddle board or surf ski
PROTECTED WATERS	all must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	when greater than 400 metres from shore must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
UNPROTECTED WATERS	all must wear Level 50 or Level 100 or above
Sailboards or kiteboards
PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	when less than 400 metres from shore must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	when greater than 400 metres from shore must wear Level 100 or above
UNPROTECTED WATERS	all must wear Level 100 or above
Surfboard
PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	no requirement to wear
UNPROTECTED WATERS	no requirement to wear
Canoe or kayak (including a motorised canoe or kayak)
PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
UNPROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50 or Level 100 or above
Rowboats
PROTECTED WATERS	must be equipped with Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above lifejacket for each person on board
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must be equipped with Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above lifejacket for each person on board
UNPROTECTED WATERS	all must wear Level 50 or Level 100 or above
Dragon boats
PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50 or Level 50S
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
UNPROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50 or Level 100 or above
Small sailing dinghy or multi hull sailing craft less than 6 metres
PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
SEMI-PROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 50, Level 50S or Level 100 or above
UNPROTECTED WATERS	must wear Level 100 or above