Registration information

Once you've purchased your beacon, you must register it with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Registration is free and in some cases it is mandatory by law.

A registered beacon allows AMSA Search and Rescue to phone your emergency contacts and look up important information to initiate a response as soon as possible. An unregistered beacon can cause a delay in the response.

Once an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) is registered a confirmation will be issued via SMS or email so that you can prove registration when inspected by authorities.  Beacon registration is valid for two years and renewal can be done online on the beacon registration system or by contacting 1800 406 406.

Whenever your contact details or beacon details change, please update them online. Don't wait for your registration to expire before doing this because incorrect contact details can also delay the response.

In order to complete an online emergency beacon registration you will need the following information:

• Name, address and phone number
• An email address to create an online account
• Beacon Hex ID/UIN
• Beacon Serial Number
• Beacon Manufacturer
• Beacon Model
• Name and phone numbers of at least one person who can act as a 24-hour emergency contact
• Name of the business or person who supplied the beacon to you
• The purpose for which you’ll most likely be using the beacon, for example: vessel, aircraft, vehicle, hiking etc.
• If you would like to register a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle you will need to supply some descriptive or registration details about it (you can also upload photos of these vessel, vehicle or aircraft to help with search and rescue purposes should it be needed in future)
• If you have any radio equipment that requires an MMSI number you will need to supply the make/model and serial number

Some of the information required for this registration is mandatory.

Confirmation of beacon registration is issued by AMSA to provide distress beacon owners and authorities with proof of current registration. This is to meet the legal requirements when applicable under state/territory legislation.

A fine may result if a beacon owner cannot prove current beacon registration. The beacon owner must carry proof of registration during a safety equipment inspection.  Choose what option works best for you!

• SMS – Save your SMS registration confirmation on your mobile phone.  The SMS will note the HexID/UIN (Unique Identification Number) of the beacon, type of beacon and the registration expiry date (two years from date of issue).
• Email – Save your email registration confirmation on your mobile phone
• Print – Print your registration confirmation.
• Online – Check Beacon registration – look up the registration status online

Registration is valid for two years after date of issue and must be renewed before its expiry date.

If you have not updated your registration details within six months of your registration expiry date then AMSA will automatically send you a renewal reminder via SMS or email one month before the due date. Upon receipt of this reminder, please check and confirm your registration details by one of the following options.

• Log in to your online beacon account
  Click on 'Renew my beacon registration’ button and follow the steps as prompted.
• Email ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au
  Please include your HEX ID/UIN and confirm your contact details are correct. AMSA will then send you a new registration confirmation via SMS or email.
• Phone 1800 406 406
  Please quote your HEX ID/UIN, we will then confirm your contact details to send you a new registration confirmation via SMS or email.

If you have updated your registration details within six months of the expiry date, then no reminder will be issued. AMSA will automatically send you a new beacon registration confirmation by SMS or email one month prior to the registration expiry date.

Owners of a lost, stolen or disposed beacon are asked to notify AMSA so that we can update your beacon account details. This can be done in a number of ways:

• Log in to your online beacon account
  Select 'Change beacon status' and follow the prompts.
• Email ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au
  Please have your HEX ID/UIN code on hand.
• Phone 1800 406 406
  Please include your HEX ID/UIN code.
• Download the 'Change in ownership' form (Word 70Kb) (also available in PDF 226Kb) and return to AMSA as described on the form.

If the beacon has been stolen and you have reported it to the Police, you will be asked to provide the Police report number.

Note: If AMSA is not notified of changes in ownership, this could delay a search and rescue response in a distress situation because the last known registered owner will be contacted first.

The seller or purchaser of a second-hand beacon must contact AMSA to update their registration details. Please follow the Buying and selling a second-hand beacon options provided.

AMSA can register a beacon for up to four uses e.g. vessel, vehicle, aircraft. However, please note that in some cases PLBs cannot be carried as a substitute to an EPIRB. Check your State and Territory legal carriage requirements.