American megayacht owners wishing to offer their yachts for charter in Australia, plus charter guests traveling there, now have more opportunities available. The Australian government is issuing temporary superyacht charter licenses for foreign-flagged (non-Australian) vessels.
The news comes from Superyacht Australia, an industry organization that has been in talks with government officials for some time. Indeed, while Superyacht Australia says it’s been lobbying for the past year, the concept has been a topic of conversation as far back as 2008. The latter is based on articles we and other yachting media have published.
Here’s how the superyacht charter licenses work. First, owners and captains are strongly advised to work with a superyacht agent based in Australia. (The Superyacht Australia website lists several.) This is to ensure someone conversant in the new regulations is working on your behalf, and of course you don’t encounter unnecessary obstacles. The agent will apply for the temporary superyacht charter license, which costs AUS$400, for you. He or she will also coordinate the collection of a required 10-percent goods and services tax (GST) while your yacht is chartering.
The temporary superyacht charter license can be obtained at least one month prior to your arrival. The exception: the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. You’ll need to apply at least four months in advance in that case. Either way, the temporary superyacht charter license provides for 12 months of cruising in Australian waters. It also provides your crew with visas covering the same time frame. If you wish to charter in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, however, you’ll need to apply at least four months in advance.
The temporary superyacht charter license, issued as part of the Coastal Trading Act 2012, has an extra benefit. You can have your megayacht refitted or repaired while in Australia without being subject to full importation rules.
The Australian parliament anticipates amending the Coastal Trading Act 2012 further to smooth the licensing process even more. That could happen by the end of the winter season in Australia (summer season in the Northern Hemisphere).
Leave a Reply