Australian Builders Plate - Information for the boating industry
The information displayed on an Australian Builders Plate is outlined in the National Standard for the Australian Builders Plate for Recreational Boats, otherwise known as the ‘ABP Standard’.
ABP Standard – Edition 5
Reminder to members of the Australian boating industry. Please be aware the Australian Builders Plate (ABP) Standard Edition 5 will be enacted in some Australian states and territories from 5 June 2021.
Some jurisdictions will require new vessels to be fitted with ABPs complying with ABP Standard Edition 5 from 5 June 2021.
Other jurisdictions may still recognise earlier editions within their legislation and allow them to continue to be used.
Contact your local jurisdiction for details regarding which edition(s) may be used.
The Australian Recreational Boating Safety Committee recommend that persons responsible (boat builders, suppliers and importers) for fitting ABPs review the updated ABP Standard Edition 5 and supporting material available below.
Note: Vessels built or supplied before the enaction of Edition 5 are only required to comply with the ABP Standard that was current when the ABP was fitted (eg. they don’t require a replacement ABP after the enaction of edition 5).
The current edition of the ABP Standard - Edition 5, endorsed on 5 June 2020 - is available for download below as a PDF or accessible Word document:
National Standard for the Australian Builders Plate for Recreational Boats, Edition 5 PDF
National Standard for the Australian Builders Plate for Recreational Boats, Edition 5 DOCX
Edition 5 of the ABP Standard was endorsed by the Transport and Infrastructure Council on 5 June 2020. All states and the Northern Territory have committed to enact Edition 5 in their respective legislation.
For more information regarding edition 5 of the ABP Standard and its drafting process, please refer to the following PDF or accessible Word documents:
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information regarding the ABP Standard system, please refer to the following Frequently Asked Question summaries:
PDF Document versions:
Accessible Word Document versions:
Which boats require ABPs?
New powered recreational boats supplied in Australia, are required to have an ABP fitted unless subject to an exemption. This includes imported boats and boats which already have ABYC or ISO/CE capacity plates fitted.
For more information and details about exempt vessels, please refer to the ABP Standard or the FAQ’s applicable to your industry.
Obtaining an ABP
Vessel manufacturers, importers or suppliers are able to produce or source their own plates, so long as the required information is displayed in accordance with the requirements of the ABP Standard.
Alternatively, the Boating Industry Association may assist members to source plates:
Specified Standards
The information values displayed on an ABP must be determined in full compliance with the requirements of a nominated technical standard.
Access to these specified standards must be purchased from the standard owners. Links to providers of the most commonly used specified standard systems are provided below: