BlueSeas

Australian Marine Communications

Australian MF/HF-SSB & VHF Frequencies

VHF Marine

Australia makes use of the International Frequency Plan meaning there are approximately 59 VHF channels which includes (2) channels dedicated to AIS, the Automatic Identification System, available.

Australian VHF Marine Radio Channel Decal

Australian VHF Frequencies and Usage

Australian VHF Frequencies and Usage
Channel Number Ship Transmit MHz Ship Receive MHz Use Notes
01 156.050 156.650 Public Correspondence  
02 156.100 160.700 Public Correspondence  
03 156.150 160.750 Public Correspondence  
04 156.200 160.800 Public Correspondence  
05 156.250 156.850 Public Correspondence  
06 156.300 156.300 Safety, Commercial, & Port Operations Coordinated Search and Rescue. Commercial & Port Operations. Ship Stations - Calling and working. May be used for search and rescue communications between ships and aircraft.
2006 160.900 160.900 Restricted This channel is restricted for experimental use only and not available for general use.
07 156.350 160.950    
08 156.400 156.400 Commercial & Port Operations Tug & Pilot Boat Services. Port Operations. Ship Stations - Calling and Working.
09 156.450 156.450 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations and Ship Stations. Calling and Working.
10 156.500 156.500 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations and Ship Stations. Calling and Working.
11 156.550 156.550 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations. Calling and Working.
12 156.600 156.600 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations. Calling and Working.
13 156.650 156.650 International Navigation Safety Channel. May also be used for ship movement and port operations. Limited Coast Stations Calling and Working
14 156.700 156.700 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations. Calling and Working.
15 156.750 156.750 Environmental Spills, Shipping Accidents, & Ocean Environment Protection.
16 156.800 156.800 International Distress, Urgency, Safety and Calling
17 156.850 156.850 State Control Inland Waterways Control.
18 156.900 161.500 Special Use Where Authorized
19 156.950 161.550    
1019 156.950 156.950 Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2019 161.550 161.550 Port Operations and Ship Movemenst  
20 157.000 161.600 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations. Calling and Working.
1020 157.000 157.000 Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2020 161.600 161.600 Port Operations and Ship Movements  
21 157.050 161.650 Safety Limited Coast Stations and Ship Stations via repeaters. Vessel movements and safety of vessels and persons. BOM WX.
22 157.100 161.700 Safety Limited Coast Stations and Ship Stations via repeaters. Vessel movements and safety of vessels and persons.
23 157.150 161.750 Public Correspondence  
24 157.200 161.800 Public Correspondence  
25 157.250 161.850 Public Correspondence  
26 157.300 161.900 Public Correspondence  
27 157.350 161.950 Public Correspondence  
28 157.400 162.000 Public Correspondence  
60 156.025 160.625 Public Correspondence  
61 156.075 160.675 Public Correspondence  
62 156.125 160.725 Public Correspondence  
63 156.175 160.775 Public Correspondence  
64 156.225 160.825 Public Correspondence  
65 156.275 160.875 Public Correspondence  
66 156.325 160.925 Public Correspondence  
67 156.375 156.375 Distress and Calling Distress, Urgency, safety and routine calling Supplements Channel 16. Limited Coast & Ship Stations.
68 156.425 156.425 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations. Calling and Working.
69 156.475 156.475 Australian Navy Australian Naval Operations.
70 156.525 156.525 Digital Selective Calling for Distress, Urgency, Safety and Calling. (Voice Communications Prohibited)
71 156.575 156.575 Fishing Professional Fishing Vessels. Limited Coast and Ship Stations.
72 156.625 156.625 Fishing, Commercial, Port Operations, & Non-Commercial Professional Fishing Vessels, Commercial Vessels, Yachts and Pleasure Vessels. Ship stations, Calling and Working. BOM WX.
73 156.675 156.675 Non-Commercial Limited Coast and Ship Stations. Yachts and Pleasure Vessels. Calling and Working. BOM WX.
74 156.725 156.725 Commercial Limited Coast and Ship Stations. Calling and Working.
75 156.775 156.775 Intership Ship To Ship Navigation Communications Only. (1 watt)
76 156.825 156.825 Intership Ship To Ship Navigation Communications Only. (1 watt)
77 156.875 156.875 Fishing & Non-Commercial Professional Fishing Vessels, Yachts and Pleasure Vessels. Ship Stations Calling and Working.
78 156.925 161.525 Commercial Limited Coast Stations. Calling & Working.
1078 156.925 156.925 Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2078 161.525 161.525 Port Operations and Ship Movements  
79 156.975 161.575 Port Operations Limited Coast Stations.  Calling & Working.
1079 156.975 156.975 Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2079 161.575 161.575 Port Operations and Ship Movements  
80 157.025 161.625 Safety Limited Coast Stations and Ship Stations via repeaters. Vessel Movements and Safety of Vessels and Persons. BOM WX.
81 157.075 161.675 Safety Limited Coast Stations and Ship Stations via repeaters. Vessel Movements and Safety of Vessels and Persons. BOM WX.
82 157.125 161.725 Safety Limited Coast Stations and Ship Stations via repeaters. Vessel Movements and Safety of Vessels and Persons. BOM WX.
83 157.175 161.775 Public Correspondence  
84 157.225 161.825 Public Correspondence  
85 157.275 161.875 Public Correspondence  
86 157.325 161.925 Public Correspondence  
87 157.375 157.375    
88 157.425 157.425 Public Correspondence  
AIS 1 161.975 161.975 AIS Automatic Ship Identification and Surveillance System.
AIS 2 162.025 162.025 AIS Automatic Ship Identification and Surveillance System.
 

The above list can be downloaded for your personal, private, and non-commercial use. This file is in zipped PDF format Australian VHF Frequency Chart

Weather and Marine Safety Information (MSI)

Marine weather and Safety information is available through a number of different sources in Australia. Including:

Below we have listed weather and MSI resources available in Australia and have broken them down by state. Our list concentrates on the Internet, Marine VHF, and HF-SSB Voice & Facsimile.

Internet Resources

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) offers detailed internet weather services for all of Australia. Services offered include: Coastal Weather Forecasts, Current Weather Observations, and Radar Imagery. This source is highly regarded for pre-trip planning.

Marine VHF

VHF Marine weather and safety (MSI) broadcasts are, to be honest, a little lacking; especially when compared to some other countries that provide 24/7 continuous weather broadcasts on dedicated VHF channels. That being said, the products provided by Australia’s BOM are excellent and have resulted in increased safety for the mariner.

VHF marine weather forecasts are transmitted by the Bureau of Meteorology dedicated radio transmitters providing limited coverage to areas of QLD and WA.

To fill in the gaps, many volunteer marine safety organizations, throughout Australia, also broadcast these weather forecasts during their normal operating hours.

HF Voice and Fax

The Bureau of Meteorology provides ongoing marine weather forecasts by both voice and fax. They are broadcast through Australia’s (2) major HF radio sites, Charleville (VMC) and its sister station at Wiluna (VMW). Between these (2) stations they provide marine weather forecasts for all of Australia’s coastal waters and high seas areas.

Queensland

Internet

QLD Internet Marine Weather Resources.

VHF Marine

VHF Marine Weather is broadcast to some areas in QLD by the Bureau of Meteorology. VHF weather announcement alerts are made on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) with the actual forecast being broadcast on channel 80 (157.025/161.625 MHz) at 0715Z and 2215Z Daily. The BOM forecasts originate from Townsville and are transmitted from antennas located near Home Hill.

Weather forecasts are also provided by many Volunteer Rescue Organizations in QLD. The forecast alerts are also made on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) with the forecast being broadcast on channel 67 (156.375 MHz) to all vessels within VHF range. These forecasts are typically NOT provided 24 hours a day.

HF-SSB

Voice

Coastal WX Forecasts (Voice) for QLD are available through VMC (Charleville) HF Radio.

Queensland HF-SSB Coastal Forecasts (Voice) from Charleville (VMC)
Time Frequency
0130Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
0530Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
0930Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1330Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1730Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
2130Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
All Times Shown are (Zulu).

Radio Facsimile

Coastal and High Seas HF-SSB WX (Fax) Forecasts for Australia are also available through VMC (Charleville) and VMW (Wiluna) Radio.

New South Wales

Internet

NSW Internet Marine Weather Resources.

VHF Marine

Weather forecasts are provided by many Volunteer Rescue Organizations in New South Wales. In the Newcastle, Sydney and Port Kembla areas weather forecast alerts are broadcast on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) and the forecast themselves are broadcast on channel 67 (156.375 MHz). These forecasts are typically NOT provided 24 hours a day.

HF-SSB

Voice

Coastal WX forecasts for NSW are also available through VMC (Charleville).

New South Wales HF-SSB Coastal Forecasts from Charleville (VMC)
Time Frequency
0330Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
0730Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
1130Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1530Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1930Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
2330Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
All Times Shown are (Zulu).

Radio Facsimile

Coastal and High Seas HF-SSB WX (Fax) Forecasts for Australia are also available through VMC (Charleville) and VMW (Wiluna) Radio.

Victoria

Internet Marine Weather

VIC Internet Marine Weather Resources.

Marine VHF

In Victoria, all weather warnings and forecasts are broadcast on VHF Marine channel 67 (156.375 MHz).

Volunteer Rescue Organizations play a large role in the dissemination of marine weather information throughout VIC.

They broadcast initial weather warnings as soon as possible after receipt from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Current weather warnings are then broadcast at 0048, 0248, 0448, 0648, 0848, 1048, 1248, 1448, 1648, 1848, 2048, 2248 AEST on VHF channel 67 until notice of cancellation is received by the BOM.

Additional coastal waters forecasts for the Bass Strait, Port Phillip, and Western Port (on VHF channel 67) occur at 06:48 and 18:48 AEST.

Cancellations of weather warnings are made as soon as possible after its receipt from BOM and again at the next scheduled Victorian coastal weather forecast broadcast.

All WX broadcasts and cancellations of weather warnings will be preceded by an announcement on VHF channel 16 (156.800 MHz).

HF-SSB Weather

Voice

Coastal WX forecasts for VIC are also available through VMC (Charleville).

Victoria HF-SSB Coastal Forecasts from Charleville (VMC)
Time Frequency
0330Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
0730Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
1130Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1530Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1930Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
2330Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
All Times Shown are (Zulu).

Radio Facsimile

Coastal and High Seas HF-SSB WX (Fax) Forecasts for Australia are also available through VMC (Charleville) and VMW (Wiluna) Radio.

Tasmania

Internet Marine Weather Information

TAS Internet Marine Weather Resources.

Marine VHF

The elephant in the room here is “TAS Maritime Radio” with the simultaneous broadcast of weather and MSI (3) times each day at 0745, 1345, and 1733. All times are local.

After the announcement on VHF channel 16 (156.800) the announcements are made as follows:

Tasmania VHF Marine Coastal Forecasts from TAS Radio
Location VHF Frequency
Southeast Coast & Southwest Coast Channel 67
Central North Coast, North East Coast, Central West Coast & Maatsuyker Isl. Channel 68
Eastern Bass Strait, Lower East Coast & *Far North West Coast Channel 69
*When requested by Smithton Radio
Tasmania VHF Marine Coastal Forecasts by Volunteer Stations
Location Organization VHF Frequency
Three Hummock Island north from Sandy Cape, into Bass Strait as well as the North Coast. Smithton Radio Channel 69
West of Flinders Island to Rocky Cape. Coast Guard Tamar Channel 69
Volunteer Organizations may not operate 24/7.

HF-SSB Weather

Voice

Bureau of Meteorology

Coastal WX forecasts for TAS are available through VMC (Charleville).

Tasmanian HF-SSB Coastal Forecasts from Charleville (VMC)
Time Frequency
0030Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
0430Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
0830Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1230Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
1630Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
2030Z 2201.0, 6507.0, 8176.0, and 12365.0 kHz
All Times Shown are (Zulu).

Tas Maritime Radio

TAS Maritime Radio broadcasts coastal weather forecasts for all coastal waters (3) times daily.

Tasmanian HF-SSB Coastal Forecasts from TAS Maritime Radio
Time Frequency
0745L 2524.0, 4146.0, 6227.0 kHz
1345L 2524.0, 4146.0, 6227.0 kHz
1733L 2524.0, 4146.0, 6227.0 kHz
All Times Shown are (Local).

Radio Facsimile

Coastal and High Seas HF-SSB WX (Fax) Forecasts for Australia are also available through VMC (Charleville) and VMW (Wiluna) Radio.

South Australia

Internet Marine Weather

SA Internet Marine Weather Resources.

Marine VHF

In South Australia, there is little to no VHF marine weather available except by the occasional volunteer marine rescue organizations.

HF-SSB Weather

Voice

Coastal WX forecasts for SA are also available through VMW (Wiluna).

South Australia HF-SSB Coastal Forecasts from Wiluna(VMW)
Time Frequency
0130Z 4149.0, 8113.0, 12362.0, and 16528.0 kHz
0530Z 4426.0, 8176.0, 12365.0, and 16546.0 kHz
0930Z 4149.0, 8113.0, 12362.0, and 16528.0 kHz
1330Z 2056.0, 6230.0, 8113.0, and 12362.0 kHz
1730Z 2056.0, 6230.0, 8113.0, and 12362.0 kHz
2130Z 2056.0, 6230.0, 8113.0, and 12362.0 kHz
All Times Shown are (Zulu).

Radio Facsimile

Coastal and High Seas HF-SSB WX (Fax) Forecasts for Australia are also available through VMC (Charleville) and VMW (Wiluna) Radio.

Western Australia

WA Internet Marine Weather Forecasts.

Northern Territory

NT Internet Marine Weather Forecasts.

Coast Radio Darwin broadcasts weather information for the areas from Daly River to Cape Don over VHF channel 67 at 0803 and 1803 Local.

Weather and navigation safety information is broadcast on channels 23, 84, and 86. Broadcasts are made every 3 hours beginning at 0710 Local, with an announcement made on channel 16 prior to the broadcast. Strong Wind Warnings are issued on receipt from the Meteorological Office if the wind in an inshore forecast area is expected to exceed force 6 and it was not forecast in the previous Inshore Forecast. MSI is also broadcast on channels 10 and 73.

Weather broadcasts are made by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology on channels 21, 72, 73, 80, 81 and 82. Additionally, many marine weather forecasts are broadcast on channel 67 by volunteer organizations. Broadcast announcements of pending weather traffic are made on channel 16.

HF-SSB Weather Fax

Weather fax transmissions are made by VMC Charleville and VMW Wiluna.

Australia Weather East (VMC Charleville) and Australia Weather West (VMW Wiluna)

All times are (Zulu) and are the same for both VMC and VMW.

0000* - Indian Ocean MSL Pressure Analysis.
0015 - VMC/VMW Schedule
0045 - VMC/VMW Broadcast Information
0100 - Recommended Frequencies for VMC (Charleville)
0131 - Recommended Frequencies for VMW (Wiluna)
0203 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+36)
0245 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0300 - Australian Primary Swell Waves Forecast (H+24)
0315 - Voice Broadcast Information for VMC and VMW
0345* - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0400 - South Pacific Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0430 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure 4-day forecast
0500* - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure 4-day forecast
0600 - Asian (Area A) Gradient Level Wind Analysis
0623 - Asian (Area B) Gradient Level Wind Analysis
0645 - Asian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0730 - Indian Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0745 - Australian Total Wave Height and Direction Forecast (H+24)
0800 - Australian Primary Swell Waves Forecast (H+24)
0830 - South Pacific Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0845 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0900 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+36)
0915 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure 4-day forecast
1015 - Southern Ocean Total Wave Height and Direction (H+24)
1030 - Indian Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
1045 - Southern Hemisphere Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+48)
1100 - Southern Ocean Total Wave Height and Direction (H+36)
1115 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
1130 - Asian Sea Surface Temperature Analysis
1145 - VMC/VMW Information Notice

1200 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+36)
1215 - VMC/VMW Schedule
1245 - Indian Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+36)
1315 - South Pacific Ocean Total Waves (H+48)
1330 - Indian Ocean Total Waves (H+48)
1345 - Pacific Ocean Sea Surface Temperatures
1400 - Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperatures
1415 - Southern Ocean Total Wave Height and Direction (H+48)
1430 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
1500 - Australian Primary Swell Waves Forecast (H+24)
1515 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+36)
1530 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure 4-day forecast
1600 - Asian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
1630 - Recommended Frequencies for VMC (Charleville)
1701 - Recommended Frequencies for VMW (Wiluna)
1800 - Asian (Area A) Gradient Level Wind Analysis
1823 - Asian (Area B) Gradient Level Wind Analysis
1915 - Indian Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
1930 - Australian Total Wave Height and Direction Forecast (H+24)
1945 - Australian Primary Swell Waves Height Forecast (H+24)
2000 - South Pacific Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
2015 - Southern Ocean Total Wave Height and Direction (H+24)
2030 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis (Manual)
2215 - Southern Ocean Total Wave Height and Direction (H+36)
2230 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure 4-day forecast
2245 - Southern Hemisphere Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+48)
2300 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure 4-day forecast
2315 - Southern Ocean Total Wave Height and Direction (H+48)
2330 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+36)
2345 - Indian Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Forecast (H+48)


* The indicated charts above are repeat broadcasts on 11030.0 kHz via a directional aerial pointing from Charleville (VMC) towards Tasmania.

0000 - Indian Ocean Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0345 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis
0500 - Australian Mean Sea Level Pressure 4-day forecast

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