MenuNew 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:
| |
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 |
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 |
UNPROTECTED WATERS | all must wear Level 100 or above |
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 |
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 |
UNPROTECTED WATERS | must be equipped with level 100 or above for all persons |
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 |
