Under Australian law, every 406MHz distress beacon — whether a PLB carried on your lifejacket or an EPIRB mounted on the boat — must be registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Registration is free, valid for two years, and it is what lets rescue authorities identify you, your vessel and your emergency contacts the moment your beacon activates.
What you need
- Your beacon's 15-character HEX ID (UIN) — printed on the beacon's label
- Your name, address and phone number
- Vessel details (name, registration, type) for EPIRBs
- Up to three emergency contacts
Step by step
- Go to the AMSA Beacons website (beacons.amsa.gov.au) and create an account or log in.
- Choose "Register a beacon" and enter the HEX ID from the label.
- Fill in your contact details and emergency contacts.
- For an EPIRB, add the vessel it lives on.
- Submit — you'll get a confirmation and a registration sticker for the beacon.
Good to know
- Registration must be renewed every 2 years. Penalties can apply for unregistered beacons.
- Update the registration whenever your address, vessel or emergency contacts change.
- A PLB is registered to a person, an EPIRB to a vessel — a PLB does not replace an EPIRB where state rules require one.
- After any accidental activation, call AMSA on 1800 641 792 before switching the beacon off.
Bought your beacon from us? Our team will happily walk you through registration — just ask in the live chat.
