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 the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Response Centre to call your emergency contacts and look up important information to initiate a response as soon as possible. An unregistered beacon can delay the response.

Once you register an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) you will receive a confirmation via SMS or email. You can use this to prove registration when inspected by authorities.

It is vital to keep your details up to date. When your details change, update your registration online or by calling  1800 406 406.

To register a beacon you will need the following information:

• Beacon owner name, address and phone number
• An email address to create an online account
• Beacon Hex ID/UIN
• Beacon Manufacturer
• Beacon Model
• Name and phone numbers of at least one person who can act as a 24-hour emergency contact
• Additional information such as vessel, vehicle or aircraft details is recommended and can be supplied throughout the registration process

In some cases, it is mandatory by law to have your beacon registered.

confirmation of registration proves to authorities that your beacon is registered.

You may be fined if you can’t prove that your beacon is registered.

You 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 and the type of beacon.
• 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

If your beacon is lost, stolen or disposed please notify AMSA. To notify AMSA you can either:

• Log in to your online beacon account
  Select 'Change beacon status' and follow the prompts.
• Email ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au
  Please include HEX ID/UIN code.
• Phone 1800 406 406
  Please have your HEX ID/UIN code on hand.

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

Found beacons

If you have found a distress beacon that is not yours, please hand the device to your local police station. AMSA will work with the local authority to ensure that the beacon is returned to its rightful owner.

The seller and purchaser of a second-hand beacon must update the 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.

If you are borrowing someone else's beacon, give the owner your current emergency contact details on hand in case of detection.

If you are lending your beacon, update the Trip Details section on your account to reflect the duration of the borrower's trip along with their emergency contact names and contact details.