Australia’s boating turnover stood at $10.2 billion for 2024-25, holding steady on the previous record year and demonstrating sustained business across the sector over the past 12 months.
The figures are from the Boating Industry Association (BIA) State of the Industry Data Report which shows that one in ten Australians have a boat licence.
There are more than 900,000 registered boats in Australia, with personal watercraft (PWC) the fastest growing segment with 10% of registered vessels.
Over the last five years, the number of registered PWC has increased by almost 30%, followed by a 19% increase in the number of registered boats in the 6 – 8m length and a 9% increase in boats of more than 10m in length and those of 5 – 6m in length.
The number of registered boats less than 4m in length has fallen by 6%.
More than 2,000 businesses
The report also showed that 67% of boats are under 6m and 60% of boating trips are up to four hours in duration.
“There are now 24,500 people directly employed in the boating industry as well as 10,000 more in contractor roles supporting more than 2,000 businesses across the nation, with a further 1,200 or more in formal training roles, supporting the future workforce needs,” said BIA CEO Andrew Fielding.
“Seventy-five per cent are in small, family businesses, employing local workers and supporting local communities.
“Many are based in regional areas, and help deliver much-needed support for jobs and economies, including enhanced tourism-related spend of boating activities.”
Growing boating community
The boating industry includes designers, manufacturers, importers, brokers, insurers, retailers, charters, yacht and boat clubs, marinas, tourism, surveyors and trades from boat builders to riggers, representing a wide range of local and global brands and providing services to a growing boating community.
Australia has more than 2.5 million people with a licence to drive a powerboat and close to 1 million registered vessels and a countless number of non-motorised craft (such as small paddle and sail craft) which do not require registration or licensing.
The boating industry data report card includes data intelligence from BIA Boating Data powered by DECKEE which also provides insights about where, when, and how people move around the waterways.
