Hull Identification Number (HIN) Checklist & FAQ
The Australian Hull Identification Number (HIN) system was enacted from February 2001 in Western Australia.
From that date forward, all new recreational vessels built or imported into WA are required to have a HIN affixed to the boat and the HIN recorded on the vessels registration certificate.
The HIN affixed to recreational vessels stays with the vessel during its full life and can not be removed, deleted or transferred to another vessel. The HIN system was brought in to enable a nationwide tracking system for recreational boats to reduce theft and assist in recovering stolen vessels. It also enables finance companies to better track vessels that are encumbered and helps purchasers to check if a vessel they are buying is encumbered (has money owing on it)
Before February 2001, it wasn't compulsory to have a HIN affixed to a recreational vessel in WA, but after February 2001 it became compulsory to have a HIN affixed to a vessel that was built without one before the vessel registration can be transferred if the boat is sold.
The HIN has two main parts, the HIN plate, which is affixed to the vessel and the HIN certificate (the pink slip) which is required by the Department of Transport to either add to your vessel registration or to register a new or imported vessel.
There are two types of HIN's in WA. Department of Transport issued HIN numbers, affixed by a BoatCode provider, or a manufacturers HIN, affixed or stamped on the vessel by the vessel manufacturer. The Department of Transport HIN is 14 digits and always starts with AU-TWA (referred to as a TWA HIN) and the manufacturers HIN also has 14 digits and will start with AU- and then have their manufacturers code (example: Quintrex boats start with AU-TRX)
Please see below for what you need to know about HIN's
HIN number FAQ
• What type of vessel needs a HIN?
Any powered vessel that needs to be registered that is built after February 2001 needs a HIN. Any boat built prior to February 2001 needs a HIN when it is sold and the registration needs to be transferred to the new owner.
• Is getting a HIN free?
If your vessel needs to have a HIN issued and affixed, or if you boat has a HIN that needs to be verified, then a fee is payable to a BoatCode provider who issues or verifies the HIN. The fees are capped by the WA State Government, but BoatCode Providers can charge a call out/travel fee for on site inspections.
• My boat has a HIN, what do I need to do?
If your boat has a HIN and its recorded on your registration certificate - you don't need to do anything!
• My boat doesn't have a HIN, what do I need to do?
If your boat is registered to you and you aren't planning on selling it - you don't need to do anything! If you are planning on selling your boat in the future, it will need to have a HIN affixed before you can transfer the registration to the buyer.
• My boat has a HIN, but its not listed on my rego certificate, what do I need to do?
If your boat has a HIN and it isn't recorded on your registration certificate - you will need to have a BoatCode provider come have a look at the boat, verify the HIN, check that you own it and issue a pink slip. Once this is completed, the HIN will be recorded on your boat registration. You only have to do this if you plan to sell and transfer rego on the vessel.
• I just bought a boat and it doesn't have a HIN, what do I do?
If you just bought a boat and it doesn't have a HIN, you cant transfer it into your name. Either you or the person who sold it to you will need to have a BoatCode provider inspect the boat and affix a HIN plate and provide a HIN pinkslip before you can complete the transfer. Once the verification has been completed, you can complete the transfer from the seller to yourself using the DOT vessel registration transfer form.
• I just bought a boat from interstate and want to get it registered in WA, what do I do?
If you just bought a boat from interstate and it has a HIN and interstate registration, you cant just transfer it into your name, it will need to have the HIN verified and a new HIN certificate issued. You will need to have a BoatCode provider inspect the boat, verify the HIN plate and provide a HIN pinkslip before you can submit a form to licence the vessel in WA. The original owner of the boat will need to sign a HIN application form and provide acceptable ID and you will need to also sign the HIN application form and provide acceptable ID and proof of purchase documents.
• I am selling my boat and it doesn't have a HIN, what do I do?
If you're selling a boat and it doesn't have a HIN, you cant transfer it into the purchasers name. Either you or the person who is buying it will need to have a BoatCode provider inspect the boat and affix a HIN plate and provide a HIN pinkslip before you can complete the transfer. Once the verification has been completed, you can complete the transfer from yourself to the purchaser using the DOT vessel registration transfer form.
• Who pays for and organises a HIN when a vessel without a HIN is sold or bought?
Current legislation makes no provision for who has to organise the HIN number when a registered vessel that doesn't have a HIN is sold. Generally, it should be the seller, as its a simpler process for the seller to have the HIN supplied and affixed. But in case where the boat has been purchased and the buyer is organising the HIN, that is also OK, but the buyer must have proof of purchase, such as a detailed receipt/invoice or completed application for the transfer of vessel registration form. Payment for either of these scenarios should be discussed and agreed upon by the buyer and seller prior to submitting the application for the HIN, as the application cant be processed until the BoatCode providers fee is paid in full.
• I'm building a boat myself, will it need a HIN?
If you plan to get your self built, powered vessel registered, you will need to get a HIN issued for the boat.
• I'm getting a boat professionally built, will it need a HIN?
If you are paying someone to build you a boat, then they would normally need to be registered as a manufacturer and will be able to affix a builders plate and/or HIN to the boat and issue a pink slip so it can be registered.
• I'm importing a boat from overseas, will it need a HIN?
If you are importing a used boat, A BoatCode provider will need to verify if the boat has a suitable existing HIN, or in the case of a non conforming HIN or absence of a HIN, issue a new HIN. The vessel will need a HIN and pink HIN certificate to be able to be registered in WA. Non conforming HIN's are usually on vessels from European countries. Boats from the USA generally have a 12 digit ABYC HIN that is acceptable in WA. If the boat is brand new, the same applies but if you are purchasing the boat from the importer, they will normally supply a pink HIN certificate with the boat for registration purposes.
• I'm putting a pod on my boat and fitting an outboard, will I need to change my registration details?
If your pod or hull extension is added as part of the boat (best way to describe this is if you took the bung out of the pod, would water get into the existing hull?) then you will need to have the HIN certificate re-issued with the updated length of the boat listed. This process is the same as a HIN verification. If the pod or extension isn't linked/sealed to the hull (bolted on, boat still uses the original hull bung), then there is no need to update the HIN details.
• I refinished my boat and lost the HIN plates, what do I do?
If you have lost your HIN plates by way of theft or if you have removed and lost them when painting or repairing the boat, you will need to complete an application for replacement HIN plate form, get a BoatCode provider to inspect the vessel and verify the HIN, pay the prescribed fee to the BoatCode provider and have the provider fit the replacement HIN plates. The replacement HIN plates are supplied to the BoatCode provider, not the vessel owner.
• I have a HIN on my boat but I cant read it anymore, what do I do?
If you have a TWA issued HIN plate that is damaged and unreadable, you will need to complete an application for replacement HIN plate form, get a BoatCode provider to inspect the vessel and verify the HIN, pay the prescribed fee to the BoatCode provider and have the provider fit the replacement HIN plates. The replacement HIN plates are supplied to the BoatCode provider, not the vessel owner. If you have a damaged and unreadable boat manufacturers plate or stamped HIN (example: weld repair through HIN stamping), then you will need to have a new TWA HIN plate installed and a new pink HIN certificate issued.
• Does the last 2 digits of my HIN tell me the boat's age?
If you have a TWA HIN, then no, the last two digits are the year the HIN was affixed to the vessel by a BoatCode provider, not the year of when the boat was built. If you have a manufacturers HIN on your vessel, then the 3rd last digit is the year the boat was built and the last two digits are the model year of the boat. A boat built in September 2023 would normally have the last three digits listed as 3 (built 2023) and then 24 (model year 2024)
• If I call a BoatCode provider, can they tell me my boat's age over the phone from the registration number or HIN?
If you have a manufacturers HIN, see above to determine age. If you have a TWA HIN or WA boat rego number, then the only way the BoatCode provider can give you any info is if you book and pay for a HIN verification. We cant do it over the phone.
• Can I remove the existing HIN and get a new one?
No, the existing HIN stays with the boat for life. In fact, its an offence to remove and replace a HIN.
• Does the BoatCode provider check to see if the boat is seaworthy or in good condition when affixing or verifying a HIN?
No, The BoatCode provider only has to check the details on the HIN certificate match the vessel.
• Can I get a HIN over the phone or on the internet?
No, you need to contact a BoatCode provider to issue a HIN. The BoatCode Provider will need to physically inspect the vessel.
• Does my boat need to have a motor on it to be able to get a HIN?
No, but you will be required to notify the Department of Transport and supply the motor details and serial number once the motor is fitted.
HIN document checklist
To get a HIN or verify a HIN, you will need the following:
• Proof of identity. You will need to provide proof of your identity. This can be an Australian drivers licence, Australian passport, ADF photographic ID card, WA or Federal Police ID card, Police warrant card, marine certificate of competency with photo, WA Police issue Security licence with photo or an official Australian or State Government issued ID card. You can also use a range of primary ID documents in conjunction with secondary ID documents if you don't have a full proof of identity as listed above. Contact us for details on the acceptable primary and secondary ID types.
• Proof of acquisition. You will need to provide proof that you legally own the vessel before you can get a new HIN applied or an existing HIN verified and a HIN certificate issued. This can be a detailed, dated receipt of purchase that shows the full name, address and signature of both the buyer and seller plus the registration number and existing HIN that is on the vessel (if it has one) and a description of the vessel, a detailed (as above) commercial paid in full invoice from a boat yard or broker, a current registration certificate for the vessel in your name or a completed, signed and dated WA DOT Application for Transfer of Vessel registration form. If none of these documents are able to be provided, the the applicant can complete a legally binding Boat Ownership Statutory Declaration form. This is the least preferred method for establishing proof of ownership and has serious consequences if completed illegally.
• Completed HIN application form. You will need to complete a HIN application form. It requires your name, date of birth, drivers licence number, address, phone number and email address. If the applicant is interstate or otherwise unavailable in person, they they can nominate an agent on the form to handle the HIN inspection on their behalf, by completing and signing the same form as above and authorising the agent to act on their behalf. Both the applicant and agent must sign the form before it can be submitted.
• Completed and paid for HIN inspection. To get a HIN number assigned and affixed to your boat or to have an existing HIN number verified, an in person inspection by a BoatCode provider is required. This cant be done via photos or the internet. Payment for the service has to be made in full before the documents can be submitted to the Department of Transport.
• Fees and charges. The current prescribed HIN fees payable are $127 for a new or replacement HIN application and $71.78 for a HIN verification. These fees are set by the Department of Transport. If you are taking your vessel to the BoatCode providers premises for the HIN application or verification, these are the maximum prices you will pay. If you want the BoatCode provider to attend your premises to do the HIN application or verification, then a call out fee and/or travel fee may be charged. The statutory fee is reviewed by the Department of Transport regularly and may be subject to change without prior warning.