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Living on a boat “down under” sounds like a dream come true, but is it possible to live on a boat in Western Australia?
You can live on a boat in WA (Western Australia). The Australian government’s maritime laws and guidelines allow you to live in a houseboat or regular boat. Although, there are many specific guidelines and rules that must be followed.
This article will explain the following:
- The conditions and laws you must adhere to if you want to live on a boat in the Australian area.
- How long can you reside there?
- What living conditions must be met?
- What licenses and certifications can you obtain?
- A list of marinas where you may dock your houseboat will be discussed.
If you want to live on a boat in Western Australia, search no further for the answers you seek. Continue reading for more information.
If you’re still undecided on what boat you need, check this out: The best type of liveaboard boat.
Are You Allowed to Live on a Houseboat or Boat in WA?
You can live on a houseboat or boat in WA, but not as a permanent residence. According to the Western Australian government’s Department of Transportation (DOT), you may live aboard your coastal infrastructure for up to six months.
The definition of a “living onboard” resident is anyone who resides overnight in their vessel while it is docked at its respective facility. Staying the night on your boat automatically triggers the live onboard policy that must be followed during the allotted stay.
However, suppose you plan on living on a houseboat for longer than six months. In that case, a “special circumstances” application may be submitted to the department, and a stay period of longer than six months may be granted pending approval.
Usually, applications are approved under the following conditions:
- The DOT Regional Coordinator can provide adequate capacity within the 10% live onboard quota. This means that only 10% of moorings in a maritime facility should be occupants of houseboats.
- Bonafide travelers and tourists are not disadvantaged or hindered by the infrastructure.
- The tenant follows the Department’s Code of Conduct and any other stated regulations or expectations.
If the outlined statements are followed, any application to live on a houseboat for longer than half a year should be allowed.
It should be noted that most marinas fall under the Department’s authority, but exceptions exist in certain private marinas and docks. Be sure to thoroughly research the guidelines posted by the place where you plan to live on your houseboat.
Also, if you are a full-time houseboat resident, you might want to consider moving to different docks before your time limit is up.
Can You Live on a Houseboat or Boat in Perth?
You can live on a houseboat in Perth, but not longer than 6 months unless under special circumstances. The same general policy applies to Perth, as stated by the Department of Transportation for Western Australia.
It is also essential to consider that only specific marinas and maritime facilities in Perth allow houseboat living. Marinas are also the only place boat owners can permanently dock, so if you plan to live on a boat, you need to locate a marina that allows established residencies aboard a ship.
Rules and Regulations
As previously stated, many laws and policies must be followed when living on a houseboat. These rules are in place to protect vessel occupants, travelers, and those who work around the marinas and docks.
They also apply to those who conduct an overnight stay inside their boat.
However, it is worth noting that owning the appropriate certificate to dock and drive your boat also means you may stay a certain amount of nights in your boat without special approval.
Both commercial or personal boat users who keep their boat at a facility under the Department of Transportation’s jurisdiction are allowed to stay overnight on their infrastructure for up to six days consecutively and only 10 days per calendar month.
This is permitted for any person who possesses a general boating license.
Residency Boarding Conditions
The Department must grant approval of all living quarters in writing before occupying the vessel. To apply for approval, the subsequent circumstances must be in place:
- The space or facility must have open boat pens, an area to dock, and moorings.
- Adequate disposal of waste is provided within the facility.
- Appropriate payment dependent on the residency period has been made, following the DOT “Schedule of Charges.”
- The occupants and owner of the houseboat are prepared to abide by the DOT Code of Conduct.
Number of Persons Allowed
The number of people allowed to reside on the houseboat is evaluated by the Department of Transportation on a case-by-case basis and is always determined by the number of occupants the boat can comfortably support.
The live onboard approvals must be less than 10% of the total boat occupancy for every facility.
If your application is denied due to this regulation, consider finding a nearby mooring that does not have many houseboats in its area.
Certificates and Fees
To live on a houseboat, you must obtain the proper licenses and certificates and complete the necessary paperwork.
You must have a general boating license and permission to dock your boat on the premises you plan to live in. The correct application must be made to the Department of Transportation, and proof of approval must be provided in writing.
Be prepared for extra fees. Some facilities charge extra for those who plan to make their boat a semi-permanent residence, and the monthly payment needs to be made to the Department. Depending on what the facility can support, it may also cost extra to provide the necessary waste disposal.
Also, it should be considered that many facilities that allow liveaboard boats and permanent residencies generally require parties to be fully insured.
Marinas in WA That Allow Liveaboards
In addition to following many rules and guidelines, it’s crucial to understand that not every marina or boating facility allows liveaboard or houseboat tenants. Even those that offer long-term mooring and storage of boats will not allow you to live on a ship on their premises, and those that do often only allow a strict number of occupants.
If you’re struggling to find a place in Western Australia to dock your adventurous lifestyle, look no further. Here is a list of marinas in WA that allow liveaboard residencies.
Mandurah Ocean Marina
Located in the city of Mandurah, the first facility on our list is the Mandurah Ocean Marina. This marina offers visitors an experience like no other, filled with beautiful beaches, boardwalks, and boat pens.
Storefronts, restaurants, and recreational areas for all ages are available to those who choose Mandurah. Members also have access to many services in addition to stunning facilities, such as boating repairs, pumps for fuel and sullage, and a public boat ramp.
Some of the other benefits include:
- Free public parking
- Regular security patrol of docks and pens
- Cable television
- Showers and toilets
- Water Police
- Playground equipment
- Swimming beach
Port Bouvard Marina
Next on our list is the stunning Port Bouvard.
Within minutes from Mandurah, the Port Bouvard Marina is an elite facility located on the Dawesville Channel. Visitors can indulge in various activities, including fishing, crabbing, jet skiing, and even parasailing.
Each boat pen is fully outfitted with water and electricity, and sullage pumps are located nearby at the main fueling area. While some marinas are very strict about the period you may lease a pen, Port Bouvard encourages long-term stays and leases.
The marina also includes various services, including a waterfront cafe and fish shack, fishing charters, boat sales, and even a hair salon. There is an endless amount of fun and things to discover at Port Bouvard.
Additional perks consist of the following:
- Wet and dry boat pens
- Diesel and premium fuel availability
- Wash down amenities
- Private bathrooms
- Bait and tackle shop
- Whale watching
- Access to the Peel Inlet and Harvey estuaries
Fremantle Sailing Club
Next on our list is the impressive and exclusive Fremantle Sailing Club. This marina provides top-notch facilities for its members, but it also has an extensive social scene with many events hosted on an annual basis.
As the Indian Ocean’s most prominent oceanside organization, Fremantle Sailing provides its members with elite water sports. It includes a junior section for younger sailors and a prestigious sailing academy, where members can learn the art of the sport by the wind.
The best part about this marina? Senior members can become liveaboard residents for a reasonably-priced monthly fee.
This membership comes with granted access to electricity as well as utilities. Not only do their private bathrooms include toilets, showers, and changing rooms, but laundry facilities complete with washers and dryers are also available for member usage.
Don’t forget about these bonuses:
- Diesel, premium leaded and unleaded fuel at competitive pricing
- Free sullage pump usage
- 677 water pens, with power and water
- Launch crane for vessels under a certain weight
- Choice of own third-party contractor
- Restaurants and bars
- Clubhouse for reserved private events
Hillarys Yacht Club
While only allowing a certain number of houseboat accommodations approved on a case-by-case basis, Hillarys Yacht Club is another option for those looking to live on a boat in Western Australia.
Located in Perth, this high-end social and sporting group has brought the wonders and activities of the Indian Ocean to life since 1986.
Members can enjoy numerous water ventures, including but not limited to:
- Sailing
- Diving
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Various training courses cover all of your interests, from keel boating to marine radio.
The club places emphasis on family as well as excellence.
Those interested in living aboard at Hillarys Yacht Club can also do so when granted written approval by the club. While the regulations on houseboats are stricter here, the benefits shine through when you consider the 5-star facilities that come with it.
More perks available to members are:
- 24/7 access to showers and restrooms
- Access to the jetty
- Refueling is made easy with a paired phone app
- Public power and utilities for all boat pens
- Allotted use of bilge pump
- Boat lifting service
- Maintenance and spare part services
Two Rocks Marina & Boat Lifters
Finally, closing out our list is the Two Rocks Marina & Boat Lifters, a facility overseen by the Department of Transport, meaning this is where all those rules and regulations talked about earlier will almost definitely come into play.
To live aboard here, it is necessary to complete an application, but don’t let this discourage you. Most private clubs essentially require the same thing as you have to apply for membership.
An added bonus of a government-backed facility is reliability. When dealing with a private club free to make its own rules, there is always an assumed risk.
In contrast, Marinas like Two Rocks will never let you down.
Two Rocks Marina includes boat ramps and pens, a service harbor, a boat lifter, and a refueling station. It may not be as glamorous as the sailing and yacht clubs, but if you’re looking to cut down on your cost of living and moor at a practical facility, this may be the better option for you.
Some other benefits include:
- Parking for boats and trailers as well as standard vehicles
- CCTV security cameras
- Refueling, including diesel
- GPS validation marker
- Electricity, including single and three-phase
Conclusion
When looking for a place to live on a houseboat in Western Australia, state legislation and regulation can limit the choices, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. Before living on a houseboat, keep in mind all the rules and conditions that must be met and the extra costs and fees.
If you’re looking for a list of marinas that allow liveaboard residents and houseboats, be sure to check these out:
- Mandurah Ocean Marina
- Port Bouvard Marina
- Fremantle Sailing Club
- Hillarys Yacht Club
- Two Rocks Marina & Boat Lifters
And when you are done with Australia, here are 11 stunning locations around the world ideal for liveaboard enthusiasts.