A full list of registered pilotage service providers can be found here
Pilot Licensing
Marine Pilot Licences are granted under Part 7.2 (Pilots) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) (MSA).
Applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Determination: Licensing and training requirements for marine pilots in Victorian ports.
A person who is engaged to navigate a vessel 35m long and over in Victorian pilotage waters, must hold a valid Marine Pilot Licence issued under the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic), unless exempted.
This applies primarily to marine pilots employed by approved pilotage service providers (PSP) who board vessels to safely navigate them into and out of Victorian ports.
A separate Marine Pilot Licence is required for each port.
Eligibility Criteria
You must be employed by a Pilotage Service Provider (PSP). The PSP will develop a Pilot Training Plan in accordance with the Determination: Licensing and Training Requirements for Marine Pilots in Victorian Ports (the Determination).
You must also meet the minimum eligibility criteria as detailed in Section 5 of the Determination.
Fees and payment
Applications incur an application fee and certificate issue fee.
The balance of fees will be calculated by Safe Transport Victoria, and you will be sent a request for payment.
A pilot licence cannot be issued until the fees have been paid.
Application Form
The application for a Marine Pilot Licence can be completed online here.
Once a Marine Pilot Licence is granted, it is perpetual, unless suspended or cancelled.
The Marine Pilot Licence will initially be issued with a Trainee Condition.
Once the Trainee Pilot has completed their training in line with their Pilot Training Plan and has met the criteria outlined in Sections 7 and 11 of the Determination: Licensing and Training Requirements for Marine Pilots in Victorian Ports (the Determination), the Trainee Pilot will be eligible to sit the Pilotage Examination. Payment of the Examination Fee is required to sit the Pilotage Examination.
Upon successful completion of the Pilotage Examination, a Pilot Licence will be issued with Class and Precinct Conditions.
The Pilot will be then progress through the licensing framework applicable to the relevant Annexes within the Determination.
For detailed requirements, please refer to the Determination: Licensing and Training Requirements for Marine Pilots in Victorian Ports.
Section 252(1) of the MSA stipulates that the Safe Transport Victoria may grant a Pilot Licence to the Applicant if Safe Transport Victoria is satisfied that the Applicant:
- Has the appropriate qualifications, competencies and experience to hold a Pilot Licence; and
- Meets the requirements determined by the ST Vic.
The requirements determined by ST Vic are stipulated in the Determination: Licensing and Training Requirements for Marine Pilots in Victorian Ports. The Determination details the licensing and training requirements which result in licensed marine pilots armed with the knowledge, skills and competencies to safely pilot vessels in Victorian Ports.
In May 2025, Safe Transport Victoria reviewed and updated the Determination. The Summary of Key Changes document outlines the key changes to the Determination, information on the consultation process, and an overview of the process to support the next Determination review cycle.
In January 2026, a minor amendment was made at 5.7 clause 39(c) — the Pilot meets the additional criteria in clause (40): OR was changed to the Pilot meets the additional criteria in clause (40): AND.
Previous versions of the Determination:
- Version 1, 20 January 2020
- Version 2, 15 May 2025
The previous Determination (Determination: Licensing and Training Requirements for Marine Pilots in Victorian Ports) was Gazetted on 29 October 2019 and came into effect on 20 January 2020.
Pilot Exemption Certificate
A master who holds a Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) for a particular port and vessel is exempted from the requirement to engage a pilot with respect to that port.
A master of a vessel may apply to Safe Transport Victoria for an exemption from the requirement to use the services of a pilot in pilot-required waters.
A PEC may be issued to a master of a vessel over 35 metres that is regularly visiting the Port of Melbourne, the Port of Geelong, the Port of Hastings, the Port of Portland, or any other Victorian port subject to pilotage.
Please refer to Marine Safety Act (Vic) 2010: Division 4—Pilot exemptions.
Once a PEC is granted, it is valid for two years.
An application for the renewal of a PEC must be made before it expires. You are not able to act as a Pilot Exempt Master once your PEC has expired.
For detailed requirements, please refer to the Marine Standard 6.3 Training and Certification of Pilot Exempt Masters for Victorian ports.
A Master of a vessel applying for a Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) must meet the requirements outlined in the Marine Standard 6.3 Training and Certification of Pilot Exempt Masters for Victorian ports.
An application for a new PEC can be completed online here.
An application for the renewal of a Pilotage Exemption Certificate (PEC) must be made before it expires.
You are not able to act as a Pilot Exempt Master once your PEC has expired.
Click to apply for the renewal of a Pilotage Exemption Certificate.