Navigating Permit and Licensing for Seaweed Operations in

Victoria

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The main government department(s) that provides guidance and information on establishing and operating a seaweed business in Victoria:

Victorian Fisheries Authority

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

The Seaweed Industry in Victoria

COLLECTING SEAWEED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES?

Recreational seaweed harvesting is for personal use, not for commercial sale, like gardening, crafts, or small-scale consumption. If you are interested in understanding about licensing and permits for these activities

The seaweed industry in Victoria is in the early stages of development. Wild harvesting is currently limited to noxious aquatic species (pests) and aquaculture is being investigated with trials occurring in specific marine aquaculture reserves.

An adaptive management approach is being applied as knowledge and best practices for seaweed aquaculture develop. Any changes to the current approach will require regulatory changes and a full consultative process. Seaweed has important habitat values for the whole sector and forms part of the consideration process for application approval.

Generally, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) manages use, development and works and marine and coastal Crown land, which may include wild harvesting, and Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) manages the aquaculture and the wild noxious seaweed sector. There are crossovers between the Departments including, broodstock collection and water access.

The seaweed industry in Victoria is in the early stages of development, with wild harvesting limited to noxious species and aquaculture being trialed in specific reserves

Key species

Macrocystis pyrifera (Giant Kelp) W, A, N, Broodstock
Ecklonia radiata (Golden Kelp) A, N, Broodstock
Asparagopsis spp. (ASPARAGOPSIS) A, N, Broodstock
Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame) P, W

Key: W = wild, A = aquaculture, N = native, P = pest

The Australian Aquatic Plant Names Standard (AS 5301) defines standard common names for seaweeds used commercially in Australia. This best-practice guide is foundational to the industry, facilitating effective communication and contributing to the sustainable management and production of these resources in addition to the health and safety of consumers.

Types of Seaweed Harvesting in Victoria

COMMERCIAL SEAWEED WILD HARVEST & AQUACULTURE

Click here for information about licensing and permits for commercial seaweed operations

Recreational Seaweed COLLECTION

Click here for information about licensing and permits for recreational seaweed collection

Commercial Seaweed Harvesting in Victoria

To make things easier, we’ve summarised the main steps and agencies involved to help guide you through the requirements of establishing a seaweed enterprise in Victoria

Information about licences and permits for commercial seaweed harvesting

Step 1 Make initial contact with DEECA

Discuss your proposal with your local DEECA office to determine if you need consent and learn how your application will be processed. Identify any specific items or engagement requirements ahead of time. In some cases, a site visit or a draft application for feedback might be recommended.

Step 2 Consent Requirement 

You need written approval (consent) to harvest and collect seaweed on marine and coastal Crown land. This consent can include specific conditions, such as:

Harvesting times and limits
Monitoring and reporting requirements

Step 3 Consultation & Applications

You must consult with key stakeholders, such as local industry and Traditional Owners.

DEECA oversees the consent application process, including stakeholder engagement.

Useful Tools

CoastKit provides free online mapping service that hosts publicly available spatial information to support evidence-based decision making, assist with planning applications and show opportunities for restoration activities. The portal offers a broad diversity of mapped layers, video imagery, graphing capabilities and decision-support tools.

Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) allows users to undertake a desktop-based first pass risk assessment to evaluate environmental features that could be impacted by a proposed project.

Special Case: Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame)

Wakame is listed as a noxious aquatic species under Section 75 of the Fisheries Act 1995.

Permits for harvesting Wakame are issued by VFA to remove it from areas where it has established and allow commercial sale under strict biosecurity conditions to prevent further spread. The permit will specify limits on quantities, species, and harvesting methods.

Permits & Consent: Case-by-Case Assessment

Pest Seaweeds: (e.g., Wakame): Require a pest permit from VFA.
Native Seaweeds: Require consent from DEECA.
Threatened species: An additional flora and fauna guarantee act research permit may be required.
Broodstock Collection: A consent application may be required, much like other wild harvest activities.

Overarching Requirements:

Under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 (Act), a person must obtain consent from the Minister responsible for the Act or their delegate to use, develop or undertake works on marine and coastal Crown land in Victoria.
The Fisheries Act 1995 covers using equipment in Victorian waters where the use of the equipment could reasonably be expected to result in the damage to the habitat of any fish. A permit is required for using equipment.
As part of the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPAV) there is a requirement for a general environmental duty (GED) that must be met, which is at the centre of the Environment Protection Act 2017 and applies to all Victorians, and all businesses located in Victoria. Businesses are responsible for protecting the environment and human health.
Translocation/biosecurity/movement of stock requirements is covered as part of the Consent / Permit application process and potentially have identified conditions to be met if approved.
Any offshore operations would need to meet the Sea Dumping Act 1981.

For more information about the consent requirements for all use, development and works on marine and coastal Crown land

Contact information

VFA for Commercial Licensing (Wild Noxious Harvesting
(03) 8392 6861
commercial.licensing@vfa.vic.gov.au

DEECA
136 186
Online Enquiries

Information about licences and permits for commercial seaweed aquaculture operations

In Victoria, commercial seaweed aquaculture is not yet formally licensed; however, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) issues short-term permits for trial cultivation at select Crown lease sites within marine aquaculture reserves.

These permits, assessed individually, authorise the use of aquaculture equipment but do not guarantee renewal or confer long-term rights. Importantly, they do not permit the collection of wild seaweed for broodstock; such activities require separate consent from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.

Overarching Requirements:

Under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 (Act), a person must obtain consent from the Minister responsible for the Act or their delegate to use, develop or undertake works on marine and coastal Crown land in Victoria.

The Fisheries Act 1995 covers using equipment in Victorian waters where the use of the equipment could reasonably be expected to result in the damage to the habitat of any fish. A permit is required for using equipment.
As part of the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPAV) there is a requirement for a general environmental duty (GED) that must be met, which is at the centre of the Environment Protection Act 2017 and applies to all Victorians, and all businesses located in Victoria. Businesses are responsible for protecting the environment and human health.
Translocation/biosecurity/movement of stock requirements is covered as part of the Consent / Permit application process and potentially have identified conditions to be met if approved.
Any offshore operations would need to meet the Sea Dumping Act 1981.

For more information about the consent requirements for all use, development and works on marine and coastal Crown land

Contact information

VFA for Aquaculture
(03) 8392 6861
commercial.licensing@vfa.vic.gov.au

Some other useful resources

We have included links to some resources that are relevant to this state, but additional publications can be found in Seaweed Central, so please search the Knowledge Hub.

Seaweed Aquaculture governance in Australia January 2023

Victorian Fisheries Authority Seaweed aquaculture information

Guidelines to support the planning and management of Victoria's marine and coastal environment

Victorian Fisheries Authority Seaweed aquaculture management information

CostalKit

Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST)

Seaweed Aquaculture Governance in Australia Report 2023

This report emphasises the significant role of governance in shaping Australia’s seaweed aquaculture industry.

Quick Links to Key Legislation Information

We have included links to the key legislation for this state, but additional regulations may apply depending on the type of seaweed activities or operations you are undertaking.

Victorian Government

Australian Government

What is recreational harvesting and do I need a licence?

Any harvesting from the water needs a marine and costal consent.

Seaweed found on beaches is not considered food-safe as it is impossible to predict how long the seaweed has been beach-cast or whether it may have come into contact with contaminants.

Look for another state in the permit portal

Find more information to help navigate permitting and licensing for Commercial Seaweed businesses in Australia

New South Wales

Western Australia

Victoria

South Australia

Queensland

Tasmania

Northern Territory

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The information provided on this portal is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Users are advised to conduct their own research and consult appropriate professionals before making decisions based on this information.

Seaweed Central is supported by funding from the FRDC on behalf of the Australian Government’s Developing Australia’s Seaweed Farming Grant Program.

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