When do lifejackets actually have to be worn (not just carried)?
Carrying a lifejacket and being required to wear one are different things, and the wear rules turn on water type, vessel size, time of day, whether you’re alone, and age, all of which vary by state.
A few examples: in NSW, a small craft (4.8 m or under) must have lifejackets worn on enclosed waters when you’re alone or at night, and at all times on alpine and open waters; on a PWC everyone wears a Level 50S or above at all times. In Victoria, in most situations you and your passengers must wear one at all times (powerboats over 12 m are exempt from wearing but must still carry). In Queensland, wearing is compulsory when you’re alone (or only with under-12s) in an open boat under 4.8 m underway, between sunset and sunrise, and on any designated coastal-bar crossing.
Children are treated separately and more strictly in most states. So the safe answer is to check your exact situation. The Bosun pins it to your state, vessel and water.
Because over-stating the thresholds is easy, the Bosun reproduces your state’s exact wording (vessel-size and level thresholds) rather than a compressed summary.
General information for Australian operators, current as of May 2026. Rules change and recreational rules vary by state. Always confirm against the source(s) linked above (your AMSA, Australian Sailing or state maritime authority). This is not legal advice.