Fisheries Officer
A Fisheries Officer monitors and enforces compliance with fishing regulations across Australian waters and coastal zones. They conduct patrols, inspect fishing vessels and equipment, collect data on fish populations and catch composition, and investigate breaches of fisheries legislation.
What this job is
A Fisheries Officer monitors and enforces compliance with fishing regulations across Australian waters and coastal zones. They conduct patrols, inspect fishing vessels and equipment, collect data on fish populations and catch composition, and investigate breaches of fisheries legislation. This role operates across state and federal jurisdictions under bodies such as Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), state fisheries agencies, and relevant marine management authorities.
Are employers advertising this role?
Fewer than 50 vacancies were advertised nationally in the latest month. The numbers are too small to draw a reliable trend.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index.
Day-to-day
Conduct routine and random patrols of fishing grounds by vessel, aircraft, or foot to monitor fishing activity and detect breaches of fisheries legislation. Inspect commercial and recreational fishing vessels to verify compliance with catch limits, gear restrictions, licence conditions, and vessel registration requirements. Collect and record scientific data on fish species, size, weight, and catch composition using standardised sampling methods and digital recording systems. Examine fishing nets, traps, lines, and other equipment to ensure compliance with gear specifications and seasonal closures mandated under state and federal fisheries regulations. Issue infringement notices, warnings, and violation reports to fishers who exceed bag limits, use prohibited methods, fish in restricted areas, or operate without valid licences. Seize illegal catch, fishing gear, and vessels as evidence in accordance with fisheries law and chain of custody procedures. Interview fishers and witnesses at sea or on shore to gather statements and evidence for compliance investigations and prosecutions. Prepare detailed incident reports, photographic evidence, and documentation to support legal proceedings and regulatory enforcement actions.
Who does this now
About 420 people worked in this occupation across Australia at the 2021 Census.
What this role asks for
Diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (ABS skill level 2)
Can employers fill these jobs
Employers hiring for this occupation were generally able to find suitable applicants in 2025. This measures how hard employers found it to fill jobs. It is not a count of jobs, and it does not say whether the occupation is growing.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, Training Occupation Pathways dataset, March 2026, version 1.0
Jobs and Skills Australia defines an occupation-ready qualification as:
Completing this qualification will provide the skills and knowledge to undertake this occupation. Further training and experience may be required to meet specific industry requirements including licensing and registration.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Training Occupation Pathways dataset, March 2026, version 1.0
Requirements
The standard entry pathway requires a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (ABS skill level 2). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.
The honest hard part
You'll spend a lot of time on the water in all weather doing routine patrols that can feel repetitive. The work is physically demanding and potentially risky (rough seas, confrontations with angry fishers). Pay is modest for government work, and advancement is slow. Most positions are fixed-term or casual contracts, not permanent.
Where the jobs are
Most roles are based in major coastal cities and regional ports rather than inland. State fisheries agencies are the main employer, along with DAFF. Remote work is not common in this role.
Pay
Published for ANZSCO unit group 3113, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.
This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.
Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
Skills
- Adjust weight of cargo to capacity of freight transport vehiclescore
- Attention to Detailcore
- Incident Reportingcore
- Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
- Problem Solvingcore
- Record Managementcore
- Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
- Report Writingcore
- Research and Analysiscore
- Risk Identificationcore
- Stakeholder Communicationcore
- Verbal Communicationcore
- Written Communicationcore
- Active Listening
- Check payrolls
- Community Development
- Conflict Resolution
- Correspondence Drafting
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
- Data Entry and Accuracy
- Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
- Negotiation
- Policy Interpretation
- Time Management and Prioritisation
Which of these do you have?
Tick the ones you haveCommon questions
Sources
- ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
- ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
- ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.
Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
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