Applying for a marine park permit

Before applying please read:

• About marine parks to find out which marine parks your activity falls within.
• Zoning and designated areas to understand what is permitted in each zone and designated area.
• Marine Park permits and activities to understand which of your activities require permission.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority – application

If your proposed activities occur within the Commonwealth Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, apply for a marine park permit using GBRMPA Permits Online.

A joint permit may be issued if your proposed activities occur within both the Commonwealth Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park.

To learn more please read GBRMPA - Permits.

State Marine Parks – application

For activities within one or more of Queensland’s State Marine Parks:

• Great Sandy Marine Park
• Moreton Bay Marine Park
• Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park

applications are now completed online using Online Services.

If you would like to discuss your proposed activity before you apply, you can request a free pre-lodgement meeting.

To learn more please read about Online Services.

Information to be included with permit applications

Applicants should provide enough information for QPWS to clearly understand what the proposed activity is, where it will be located and any potential environmental, social and economic impacts. Providing false or misleading information in a permit application is an offence.

The Marine Parks Regulation 2017 outlines the information that must be included in an application for a marine park permission such as:

• marine park name/s subject to the application
• zones and/or designated areas intended to be entered or used
• purpose for entry and use of marine park/s
• proposed place of entry and proposed movements within the marine park/s
• equipment proposed for use
• proposed frequency and duration of visits to the marine park.

Additional information is required if an applicant proposes to take natural or cultural resources while in a marine park. This information includes the reasons why natural resources are proposed to be taken from the marine park and a brief description of the taking including:

• number, quantity and description of the plants, animals or marine resources to be taken
• methods of collection
• types of equipment proposed for use.

To allow sufficient time for investigation and assessment of permit applications, applicants should apply at least 3 months before they propose to start the activity.

Public liability insurance and indemnity

You will not be issued with a mariner park permit unless you have all of the following types of insurance cover, and maintain this cover for the duration of the permit:

• workers' compensation insurance – required under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 to cover workers, eligible individuals, self-employed contractors, directors, trustees and partners
• public liability insurance – the government's standard $20 million arising from any 1 event resulting in the death or injury of persons, or loss or damage to property
• any other QPWS&P insurance and indemnity requirements – which will depend on the type of activity you are proposing.

Assessment of permit applications

Applications must contain enough information for QPWS to adequately assess the impact of the proposed activity on the marine park against the assessment criteria contained in the Marine Parks Regulation 2017. As part of the assessment there are matters that the Chief Executive is to give consideration to when deciding whether or not to grant a permission.

Providing detailed information for assessment officers to address each of the following matters will allow for the faster processing of your application:

• potential impacts on the environment and cultural resources of the marine park
• options for monitoring, managing and/or mitigating any potential impacts
• effect the proposed activity will have on the public appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the marine park
• potential impacts on other marine park users and/or activities proposed, existing or planned located in the vicinity of the proposed activity
• whether the applicant owes any fee or other amount payable under the Marine Parks Act 2004
• whether the applicant is a suitable person to hold the permission
• the capacity of the applicant to satisfactorily develop the project, if the application relates to an undeveloped project of significant cost
• likely cumulative effect of the proposed use on the environmental, social and cultural values of the marine park
• any relevant Australian or international code, statutory instrument, protocol or standard or any relevant intergovernmental agreement; and
• relevant approvals required by, or issued to, the applicant for the conduct of the activity by other statutory bodies.

Please note: You must be issued with a permit before you can begin your activity in the marine park.

To learn more about the GBRMPA assessment process go to GBRMPA - How we assess applications.

Public notice of permit application

If it is considered that a proposal is likely to have a significant impact on values of the marine park or restrict the reasonable use and enjoyment of the marine park (or a part of the marine park) by persons other than the applicant, QPWS may require the applicant to publicly advertise the proposal and invite written submissions from the public to be made to the chief executive. Public consultation extends for a period of at least 30 business days. Any comments received from the public consultation would then be considered in assessing the application.

Application processing time

Please allow approximately 60 business days for a valid application to be processed, although no compulsory timeframe applies. If more information is required, it may take longer to process your application.

Permit fees

Fees generally do not apply to state marine park permit applications.

Fees generally do apply for activities authorised under a commercial activity agreement in the marine parks.

Format of a marine park permit

A permit is granted to a nominated person or a registered legal entity and is for a specified length of time. The permission must state the following information:

• date the permission was granted or date that the permit commences if not from the date granted
• term of the permission
• permit holder’s name and place of business
• the marine park that is to be entered or used under the permission, including the relevant zones and designated areas
• the purpose/s for which entry or use is authorised
• the natural or cultural resources that may be taken (if relevant); and
• any conditions imposed by the chief executive.

The conditions imposed on a permit are to help ensure protection of the values of the marine park and other users. They vary depending on what the applicant wishes to do and where the applicant wishes to go.

Reviews and appeals

Decisions made under the Marine Parks Regulation 2017 are subject to review and appeal. Should an applicant be dissatisfied with the final decision on their application, they are encouraged as a first step and before commencing the internal review process, to contact QPWS to discuss any concerns. Applications for internal review must be made within 28 days after the day the applicant is notified of the decision.

Should the applicant remain dissatisfied with the reviewed decision, they have a formal right under the Marine Parks Regulation 2017 to lodge an appeal with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for independent external review.

Amending a marine park permit

If you would like to change any details stated on your permit including the activities and locations listed, you will need to apply to have your permit amended using Online Services. In your application please provide a detailed description of and justification for the requested changes.

An amendment application may also be required if a change of name or place of business occurs.

Amending, suspending or cancellation of marine park permits by the Chief Executive

Depending upon the perceived seriousness of the situation, the Chief Executive may amend, suspend or cancel a marine park permit. This may happen if:

• the permit was obtained because of incorrect or misleading information
• the holder of the permit has contravened a condition of the permit or committed an offence under the Marine Parks Act 2004
• the holder of the permission is no longer a suitable person to hold a permission
• the holder of a permit has failed to pay a prescribed fee or not provided information requested by a specific date
• action is required to conserve or protect the natural or cultural resources of the marine park
• the area to which the permission applies becomes a restricted access area after the permission is granted; or
• the activity being conducted under the permit poses a threat to the safety of persons or property.

Renewing marine park permits

To apply to continue your existing marine park permit, you must complete the state only application through Online Services and submit it before the permit expires. If you submit an application prior to expiration, your existing marine park permit will remain active while the new application is being considered.

Transfer of marine park permits

Marine park permits may be transferred. An online application form must be submitted by the proposed transferee at least 20 business days before the day on which the transfer is intended to take effect. A letter or email from the current permit holder stating their intention to transfer or sell the permit, and the proposed transferee stating their intention to receive or purchase it, must also be submitted. The transferee must be a suitable person to hold a permit. The term and conditions of the transferred permit remain the same. If the transferee wishes to amend any part of the transferred permission they will need to apply for a permit amendment.

Marine Park permit holder returns

Tourism and vessel charter permit holders are required to submit a return of operations to the department on a quarterly basis.

Returns are now lodged through Online Services

To learn more about how to complete returns read the tours and returns information sheet (PDF, 2.1MB).

Contact us

Contact us to discuss your proposed activities or for more information on fees, timeframes and supporting documentation required.

Great Sandy Marine Park and Moreton Bay Marine Park contact QPWS
Email: marineparkspermits@detsi.qld.gov.au

Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (including Island National Parks) contact QPWS
Email: marineparkspermits@detsi.qld.gov.au

Great Barrier Reef (Commonwealth) Marine Park contact GBRMPA
Email: assessments@gbrmpa.gov.au
Website: GBRMPA