Marine radio channels in Australia: VHF 16, 27 MHz 88 and HF
Which channel to call on in a distress, which radios still count as a “marine radio”, who is listening, and when you must carry one — from the state agencies and AMSA, linked.
Distress and calling: VHF channel 16; HF 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz; 27 MHz channel 88 while it lasts. 27 MHz is being phased out: Western Australia says 27 MHz radios won’t be compliant from 1 September 2028, and in Victoria a 27 MHz radio no longer counts as a marine radio since the Marine Safety Regulations 2023.
Radio type / Channel frequencies: VHF 16; 27 MHz 88; HF 4125, 6215 and 8291kHz
Transport for NSW, alerting rescue services · nsw.gov.au
Distress channels at a glance
| Radio | Distress and calling | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VHF | Channel 16 | The main distress channel. Marine Radio Victoria also monitors channel 67; WA Water Police use 16/67 in Perth metropolitan waters. |
| HF (MF/HF) | 4125, 6215, 8291 kHz | Long range. JRCC Australia’s HF watch also includes 12290 and 16420 kHz. |
| 27 MHz | Channel 88 (27.88 MHz) | Being phased out. WA: not compliant from 1 Sep 2028; not all marine rescue groups monitor channel 88. Victoria: no longer counts as a marine radio. |
The 27 MHz phase-out
Note: 27 MHz radios are being phased out and will no longer be compliant from 1 September 2028.
WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, marine radios · transport.wa.gov.au
Radios with less than 25 watts of power, including 27Mhz radios, no longer fall within the definition of a Marine Radio in Victoria to meet the requirement to carry a Marine Radio when operating more than 2nm from the coast in coastal waters.
Safe Transport Victoria, safety equipment · safetransport.vic.gov.au
NSW, South Australia and Tasmania (MAST) still list 27 MHz channel 88 as a distress channel. If you’re buying a radio now, VHF is the one every state recognises.
Who listens
- Victoria: Marine Radio Victoria monitors VHF channels 16 and 67 for distress calls 24/7 on enclosed and coastal waters up to 20 nm; Charleville Radio monitors HF emergency frequencies out to 200 nm.
- Western Australia: the Water Police monitor VHF 16/67 within 20 nm of the Perth metropolitan shore, and the Water Police Coordination Centre monitors 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz 24 hours, 7 days a week.
- Tasmania: Tas Maritime Radio monitors VHF 16 statewide 24 hours (staffed 0700–1900, with after-hours monitoring for urgent calls) and reports MAYDAY and PAN PAN calls to Tasmania Police.
- NSW: Transport for NSW names the local Marine Rescue NSW unit as a shore station that responds to MAYDAY calls.
- Queensland: Marine Rescue Queensland — “In an emergency, always radio VHF 16 or call Triple Zero (000).”
If you hear a mayday call, you should not transmit, but continue to monitor the radio. If a shore station – such as the local Marine Rescue NSW unit – does not respond to the call, try to relay the message and help the vessel.
Transport for NSW, alerting rescue services · nsw.gov.au
When you must carry a marine radio
- NSW: more than 2 nm from shore on open waters (recommended within 2 nm).
- Victoria: coastal waters more than 2 nm offshore — an ACMA-approved VHF of at least 25 W.
- Western Australia: all registrable vessels, including PWC, more than 4 nm from shore — a VHF or HF radio.
- South Australia: unprotected waters (beyond 2 nm).
- Tasmania: coastal waters — a VHF marine radio.
We didn’t find a carriage rule for Queensland or the NT in the pages we checked. NSW, Western Australia, Tasmania and AMSA all say a mobile phone doesn’t replace a marine radio.
A mobile phone is useful as a backup but does not replace a marine radio.
WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, marine radios · transport.wa.gov.au
Do you need a licence for a marine radio?
To use a VHF or HF radio you need an operator’s qualification: NSW says “To use a VHF or HF radio, you must have a radio operator’s certificate”, Victoria gives the Australian Waters Qualification as an example, and Western Australia requires an operator’s certificate for VHF and HF. For DSC (the red distress button) your radio needs an MMSI, issued by AMSA (distress beacons and MMSI enquiries: 1800 406 406).
MAYDAY or PAN PAN
Say “MAYDAY” three times for grave and imminent danger to the boat and the people on board, and “PAN PAN” three times for an urgent message when you’re not in imminent danger. Word-for-word MAYDAY call · How to call for help on the water.
VesselSOS on Australian waters
- Life in danger? Tap “Yes, life in danger” and the app dials Triple Zero (000). The screen shows your GPS position in words and a word-for-word script that starts “Police. Boat emergency, I’m on the water.”, then the waterway, the nearest town and the state.
- The rescue-centre list also has JRCC Australia (1800 641 792), the national maritime rescue line for offshore, as a second Call button, and a VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY text filled with your boat’s details for you to read on your own radio.
- A live link for family ashore (Plus, free during the beta): your position, speed, course and phone battery in any browser, no app needed on their end. You send it by text yourself.
What it doesn’t do: it doesn’t log you on with Marine Rescue or anyone else, and it isn’t connected to 000, Police, Marine Rescue or AMSA. Nobody is alerted automatically if you’re late: the return-time check only asks “Are you OK?” on your own phone. Marine rescue log-on services do follow up when you don’t log off, so log on with them as well. A phone doesn’t replace a marine radio, an EPIRB or PLB, or the safety gear your state requires.
iPhone only, in invite-only TestFlight beta. Not in the App Store yet, no Android. Australian support (000 routing) is in beta version 1.5 and later.
Quick answers
What is the distress channel on a marine radio in Australia?
VHF channel 16. On HF: 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz. On 27 MHz: channel 88, which is being phased out.
Are 27 MHz marine radios being phased out?
Yes. Western Australia: 27 MHz radios “will no longer be compliant from 1 September 2028”. Victoria: since the Marine Safety Regulations 2023, radios under 25 W, including 27 MHz, no longer count as a marine radio for the over-2 nm carriage rule.
Do you need a licence to use a VHF radio in Australia?
You need an operator’s qualification. NSW: “To use a VHF or HF radio, you must have a radio operator’s certificate.”
Sources
- Transport for NSW — alerting rescue services
- Transport for NSW — essential safety equipment
- WA DTMI — marine radios
- Safe Transport Victoria — safety equipment
- MAST — radio operating procedures
- SA Recreational Boating Safety Handbook
- Marine Rescue Queensland — safety information
Checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your state’s marine safety agency before you go.
This page summarises the rules for planning; it isn’t legal advice. Where this page and the official text differ, the official text wins. Spotted an error? Email support@vesselsos.com.