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Types of PFDs
PFD Type 1
A PFD Type 1 is a recognised lifejacket.
A PFD Type 1 will provide a high level of buoyancy and keep the wearer in a safe floating position. They are made in high visibility colours with retro-reflective patches.
PFD Type 2 and 3
A PFD Type 2 is a buoyancy vest – not a lifejacket. It will provide less buoyancy than a PFD Type 1 but is sufficient to keep your head above water. Like a PFD Type 1 they are manufactured in high visibility colours.
A PFD Type 3 is a buoyancy garment – not a lifejacket. They have similar buoyancy to a PFD Type 2 and are manufactured in a wide variety of colours.
Wearing of PFDs on recreational vessels at all times |   
Examples of PFD Type 1
  
Examples of PFD Types 2 and 3 |
All occupants of the following vessels are required to wear a specified PFD when under way and when in an open area of the vessel:
- Power driven vessels up to and including 4.8 metres (m) in length
- Off-the-beach sailing yachts
- Personal watercraft
- Canoes, kayaks and rowing boats
- Pedal boats and fun boats
- Kite boards and sail boards
- Recreational tenders
Heightened risk
- when the vessel is crossing or attempting to cross an ocean bar or designated hazardous area
- when the vessel is being operated by a person who is alone
- when being operated at night (commencing one hour after sunset and ending one hour before sunrise) or in periods of restricted visibility
- when there is significant likelihood that the vessel may capsize or be swamped by waves or the occupants of the vessel may fall overboard or be forced to enter the water
- when the vessel is operating in an area where: a gale warning, storm warning, severe thunderstorm warning or severe weather warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology is current
- when the vessel is a yacht where there are no safety barriers, lifelines, rails, safety harnesses or jacklines are in use.
Wearing of PFDs on recreational vessels during times of heightened risk
All occupants of the following vessels are required to wear a specified PFD at times of heightened risk when under way and when in an open area of the vessel:
- Yachts (including monohull, trailerable and multihull yachts, excluding off-the-beach sailing yachts)
- Power driven vessels greater than 4.8 m and less than 12 m.
PFDs on children
Children under the age of 10 must wear a specified PFD at all times on any vessel when the vessel is under way and they are in an open area of the vessel.
When choosing a PFD for a child, care must be taken to ensure that the garment fits the child and that small children do not slip out when placed in the water.
What does under way mean?
Under way means not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground. If you are drifting you are under way.
What is meant by an open area?
An open area, in the case of a recreational vessel, means:
- all deck areas, including coach roofs, superstructures, open flying bridges, trampolines and nets, excluding areas within a rigid deck house, a rigid cabin, a rigid half cabin or a securely enclosed under deck space
- in the case of vessels without a deck, means the whole vessel excluding areas within a rigid cabin or a securely enclosed space
- in the case of kayaks or canoes, means the whole vessel
What does length of vessel mean?
Length of vessel means length of hull.
This indicates all structural and integral parts of the craft, such as wooden, plastic or metal stem or sterns, bulwarks and hull/deck joints. This length excludes removable parts that can be detached in a non-destructive manner without affecting the structural integrity of the craft.
   
Further information on PFDs
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