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Commercial Vessel Licences and Permits Services
A commercial vessel is a watercraft that transports cargo, or carries passengers for hire on a chartered, skippered or crewed vessel. Commercial vessels offer a colourful and animated hub of activity within the Docklands waterways all year round. They are a vital component of public-based water activities and transportation for both Melbournians and tourists.
If you have a charter vessel and you would like to use Docklands as a place to operate, you don`t need a licence with us.
Berths are available around Docklands for scheduled commercial vessel pick-up and drop-off.
To locate a passenger transfer berth, see the Dockland waterways commercial schedule berths map (PDF 233 KB).
Facilities at each berth differ but some include adjacent bus parking, power, sewer, shelters, public transport or nearby car parking.
We don`t charge for the use of the berths however you must register your passenger pick-up and drop-off times with Waterways office by emailing berthing@melbourne.vic.gov.au or calling 9658 8738 prior to using the scheduled berths.
Unlike land-based businesses that operate from long-term lease or owner occupied premises, the charter boat industry is vulnerable to changes in land use as Docklands evolves.
The Docklands berthing licences are administered and managed by the City of Melbourne in order to:
- Set the scene for commercial waterway activity into the future.
- Provide consistent berthing conditions for all commercial vessels.
- Provide security of tenure.
- Regulate the relationship between water and land.
All vessels requiring to berth at Docklands require a ‘Permit to Berth’ under part 8.2 of the Activities Local Law 2019.
If you have a business that floats or you’d like to set one up in the Docklands, we have various berthing possibilities available. Read the below options to find out the most suitable for you.
A short-term permit to berth may be issued to commercial vessels, barges, pile drivers etc. It allows a berth for no longer than three months, provided a suitable berth is available. Permits may be renewed for additional periods provided that the berth area is available.
A short-term berthing permit may also be issued for an interim period to commercial vessels seeking longer term berthing such as a Crown Land Licence (CLL).
Short-term berthing fees are payable in advance. A short term permit to berth is non-exclusive.
When there is high demand and berthing spaces are limited, City of Melbourne at its discretion, can request the removal of a vessel upon permit expiry, or relocate the vessel during the permit period to an alternative berth.
Apply for a short-term permit to berth by contacting the waterways office on 03 9658 8738.
Longer term berthing is allowed under a Crown Land Licence (CLL) pursuant to the Crown Land Reserves Act 1978. A CLL may be issued to a suitable commercial vessel able to fulfil the application requirements, for a period up to three years only.
Berthing fees are reviewed each financial year, and are invoiced quarterly in advance with a 30-day payment term.
A CLL is non-exclusive, and each Licence has a ‘development clause’ that allows Council to either relocate the licenced vessel, or to terminate the agreement, upon notice from Development Victoria if a berth or wharf area is scheduled for development.
Approved applications will be issued a CLL, accompanied by a set of trading and berthing conditions. The trading conditions set out the minimum standards of behaviour and compliance for operating as a commercial vessel and berthing within Victoria Harbour. These conditions ensure consistent operating standards are applied to berth areas and set out procedures for berthing against specific infrastructures, reflecting the changing conditions of undeveloped wharf areas. They allow Council to confirm if vessel operators comply with land use regulations and terms and conditions that have been imposed by various agencies.
For more information see Crown Land License Berthing Conditions (PDF 195 KB).
To apply for a Crown Land Licence, contact the waterways office on 03 9658 8738.
Crown Land Licence Process- Enquiry for berth/ preliminary assessment of potential licensee about suitability and possible berthing location.
Waterways office provides relevant berthing application form. (Proposed time frame: 1 hour) - Submission of completed application form and supporting documents by applicant for Council’s assessment.
(Proposed time frame: As and when submitted). - Assessment of application. Application approved / rejected.
(Proposed time frame: 3 weeks from receipt of submission). - Issuance of a permit to berth with payments received, or a Crown Land Licence upon application requirements met.
(Proposed time frame: 2 weeks upon application approval)
There are three ways to berth your commercial vessel in the city:
- Upstream of the Charles Grimes Bridge with Parks Victoria.
- In Docklands between the Bolte Bridge and the Charles Grimes Bridge through the City of Melbourne.
- Within one of the recreational marinas including Pier 35, Victoria Harbour, New Quay or Yarra’s Edge Marina.
Historically, commercial vessels have been encouraged to berth in Docklands to provide opportunities for social interaction and to contribute to the vibrancy of Melbourne’s waterways during the Docklands development phase.