Australian VHF Frequency and Usage Table
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.
List of Australian VHF Frequencies and Usage
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 complete list can be downloaded 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:
- The Internet;
- VHF from Bureau of Meteorology Offices and State & Local Organizations;
- HF-SSB Voice and Fax;
- Inmarsat Satellite Broadcasts;
- Telephone and;
- Landline Fax.
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 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 product provided by Australia’s BOM is excellent and has resulted in many lives not being lost.
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
