What ships MAY be registered
Ships less than 24 metres in tonnage length, government ships, fishing vessels and recreational craft are exempt from the requirement to be registered but are able to be registered if the owner desires.
Any craft under 12 metres in length, owned or operated by Australian residents, nationals or both, are not required to be registered but can be if the owner/operator desires.
Ships that were originally registered in Australia under the British system (before 1982) were automatically transferred to the new register subject to nationality eligibility at the time of changeover.