You will need to decide whether you need a shipborne or non-shipborne AIS.
Shipborne
These are carried onboard vessels.
Non-shipborne
These are not carried onboard vessels. There are two types of non-shipborne AIS:
- AIS Aids to navigation (AtoN).
- AIS base stations.
Flowcharts for establishing AIS
Which type of automatic identification system do you need to apply for?
AIS shipborne
What do I need to do?
To apply for a shipborne AIS, you will need a maritime mobile service identity (MMSI).
We allocate MMSI’s to people who own a vessel that have AIS units (or digital selective calling (DSC) capable equipment).
To apply for a MMSI you must already have:
- An ACMA maritime ship station licence and callsign for an MF/HF transceiver.
- A vessel registered in Australia (except Northern Territory).
- Marine radio operator qualifications.
See the MMSI information page for more details and to apply for an MMSI.
AIS AtoN
What do I need to do?
To apply for a non-shipborne AIS Aton, you must:
- Read the guidelines
Read and understand our guidelines for the use of non-shipborne AIS units.
- Read the policy
Read and understand our policy for the licensing of non-shipborne AIS units.
- Complete the form
Complete an application for an Australian AIS AtoN licence form 234b. Submit the completed form to us via email as per the instructions on the form.
AIS base station
What do I need to do?
To apply for a non-shipborne AIS base station, you must:
- Read the guidelines
Read and understand our guidelines for the use of non-shipborne AIS units.
- Read the policy
Read and understand our policy for the licensing of non-shipborne AIS units.
- Complete the form
Complete an application for an Australian AIS base station licence form 234a. Submit the completed form to us via email as per the instructions on the form.