Join the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol

The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) enforces fisheries and boating safety laws through surveillance and inspection, as well as undertaking related education with industry and community groups.

With over 245,000 recreational and 13,000 commercial vessels in use, compliance with laws is necessary to ensure the safe use of waterways and the sustainability of our fisheries resources.

Work with us

The QBFP offers great job opportunities, helping to conserve Queensland's fisheries resources and keep our waterways safe.

You have to be prepared to:

  • work anywhere in the state
  • comply with QBFP transfer guidelines
  • comply with the QBFP code of uniform and appearance
  • take up your initial appointment at your own expense (that is, accept responsibility for moving if required)
  • disclose your employment history and details of any court-imposed penalties if asked
  • successfully complete an extensive training program.

  • Transcript

    Whatever conceptions you have of our job wipe it clean! I was attracted to a career with Queensland and Boating and Fisheries as a patrol officer because I saw it as an opportunity to work in a team-based environment, outdoors and really make a contribution to the state's waterways and protection of the ecosystems.

    Protecting our resources is really important for me personally because I have a young daughter and I would love for her when she is older and she wants to go fishing that she's able to catch a fish for herself to take home to eat.

    Growing up I was always an outdoorsy type of girl fishing and boating with my dad and then going through school. Got my boat license there and went on to TAFE and I did my fisheries compliance diploma.

    I’ve just known from a young age this is what I wanted to do so I went out and did it.

    A good day at work for myself as patrol officer would have to be working in a good team and a beautiful glassout day. For the best day that I had at work it was a glass out August morning on the bay.

    We had responded to a complaint and we'd cut a mono net off the Rufus King wreck. Coming back in we did a couple of recreational inspections and on our way back to base in behind Saint Helena we saw a whale breech out of the water and we went, oh this is going to be good.

    We just waited and then BOOM along comes this humpback whale bigger than our boat. He just circled us and interacted with the boat for about 20 minutes.

    Most surprising thing for a new employee starting with Boating and Fisheries Patrol will be the variety of work that we undertake.

    One day I may be out off shore on a boat and another day I'll be in court prosecuting a matter and I might be doing surveillance on the third day so I definitely enjoy the differences.

    As a field officer I probably spend sixty to eighty per cent of my week on patrol outdoors. Some of that is offshore alongside vessels, some of that is at boat ramps and vehicles conducting surveillance.

    I would normally interact with a number of government agencies as well as members of the public, mum and dad fishes that you see out on the water and of course a large number of commercial fishermen.

    One day we could be out on the dams, the next day you could be offshore inspecting trawlers, the next thing you could be in the bay, the next thing you could be crawling through mangroves chasing poachers so there's just variety that we encounter.

    I think for any new employees the start with the department I think the most important thing or the thing they'll enjoy the most is just working in a team and working with lots of other good people that make an experience really positive.

    I'm always doing something different. I never come to work thinking it's going to be a boring day and I've never woken up not one single morning and not wanted to come to work and for me that's a sign that I'm obviously enjoying my work.

What we do

Education:

  • Explain fishing rules and regulations to recreational fishers, commercial fishers and the general community.
  • Keep vessel operators informed about small craft safety.
  • Give talks to community groups and take part in community events.

Monitoring and inspection:

  • Patrol the state's waterways to ensure that everyone is abiding by fishing and boating laws.
  • Check licences and catches.
  • Inspect fishing vessels and gear.
  • Monitor small craft safety.
  • Supervise shark safety.
  • Inspect fish marketing outlets to ensure fisheries resources are lawfully taken and sold.

Investigation:

  • Investigate cases of alleged infringements and compile reports.

Enforcement:

  • Issue cautions or infringement notices.
  • Prosecute matters in the Magistrates Court when necessary.

Qualifications

There are some mandatory requirements and some desirable skills.

Mandatory requirements

One of the following qualifications:

  • Diploma of Government (Investigations)
  • Diploma of Policing
  • Diploma of Crime and Justice Studies
  • Diploma of Fisheries Compliance
  • Diploma or higher qualification in a relevant field e.g. marine or aquatic resources or an equivalence determination for the qualification held.

Licences:

Physical:

  • Medical certificate indicating that you are physically capable of performing the required duties (including an assessment that indicates that you are not colourblind).
  • Certificate stating that you are able to swim 100 metres in 5 minutes.

Desirable skills

  • Senior First Aid certificate.
  • Coxswain certificate.
  • Certificate IV in Government (Investigation) or appropriate elements.
  • Royal Lifesaving Society qualification or Surf Lifesaving Australia qualification.
  • Work experience or service in a community voluntary organisation (e.g. Coast Guard, Air Sea Rescue, Landcare, Australian Surf Rescue, Surf Lifesaving).

Find a position

Positions are advertised in:

  • newspapers
  • Queensland Government Gazette
  • SmartJobs.

Traineeships or work experience

QBFP do not offer traineeships.

Students currently completing a relevant tertiary level course, who require industry experience to meet the requirements for their qualification, may be considered for work experience with QBFP at the discretion of the District Officer or District Manager (other conditions also apply).

This placement is not available to high school students.

Last updated: 08 Apr 2024