Compliance with the Regulations begins with awareness of land status and signage. Before entering any CALM land, a person should check whether the area is a national park, State forest, nature reserve, marine reserve, or other classification, as different rules may apply. The CEO’s Gazette notices under regulations 5 and 6 are publicly available and define restricted and designated areas. In practice, compliance is driven by signs: the Regulations rely heavily on signs to indicate where activities are permitted or prohibited, fee arrangements, conditions for camping, dog walking, horse riding, abseiling, and mooring. A person should read all signs at entrances, camping areas, parking areas, and at specific sites such as caves and abseiling cliffs.
For recreational visitors, the core compliance steps are: pay the appropriate entrance fee (motor vehicle or occupant fee) in the manner specified on the sign; camp only in a camping area and not exceed the duration limits (28 days, or 14 days during school holidays); keep a clean campsite; do not feed fauna; do not take any flora or fauna (including flowers, shells, or dead wood) unless covered by a licence; do not bring dogs or horses except in designated dog/horse areas, and keep them under control; do not light fires except in accordance with regulation 39, which means checking the Bureau of Meteorology fire danger forecast - a fire is unlawful if the forecast is “high”, “extreme”, or “catastrophic” (regulation 39(1)(e)). Off‑road vehicles require a permit under the Control of Vehicles (Off‑road Areas) Act 1978 (regulation 52). Bicycles may be ridden only on roads, bicycle paths, or in designated areas (regulation 51A). Vehicles must stay on roads unless a designated area permits off‑road driving (regulation 51). All drivers must obey signs and any reasonable direction from an authorised officer. Boaters must comply with any speed limits (regulation 61B), not anchor within 50 metres of a mooring (regulation 60(2A)), and use only authorised moorings (public, rental, or private with a licence). At Salmon Holes, a personal flotation device must be worn (regulation 50A).
For commercial operators and organisers of events, the key step is to obtain a commercial operations licence (regulation 94) or write to the CEO seeking authorisation for meetings or events with more than 100 persons (regulation 105). The licence process requires a formal application (regulation 83), payment of the fee (Schedule 1 Division 8), and the licence may be granted for up to 20 years. The licence holder must strictly adhere to the endorsed conditions. Any change in goods, services, or location requires a variation or new licence. Photography or filming for commercial purposes also requires authorisation (regulation 108). Advertising goods or services on CALM land without a licence is an offence (regulation 106(2)).
For apiarists, compliance involves obtaining an apiary permit or licence under Part 8A, paying application fees (Schedule 1 Division 11), and paying an annual site fee. The apiarist must comply with the conditions in regulation 98G: report fires immediately, cooperate with fire control, ensure adequate water on the site, give notice before placing hives (to the local departmental office and the lessee or tenement holder of the land), and take steps to prevent forest disease. The apiarist must also comply with the Bush Fires Act 1954, the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911, water catchment laws, and the Act itself. If the apiary site is not on CALM land, selected regulations (e.g., waste, litter, naturally occurring features, structures, clearing, dumping, signs) still apply as if it were (regulation 98H).
For mooring owners and users, compliance is detailed. A private mooring requires a licence (regulation 98AK), which is not transferable. The applicant must provide the location, vessel particulars, and contact details for a natural person (if the applicant is a body corporate). The CEO must be satisfied that the mooring is suitable and does not interfere with navigation or other uses (regulation 98AN). The licence holder must maintain the mooring in good condition, provide a current inspection report on request, and comply with any requirement to repair, relocate, or remove the mooring (regulations 98AT, 98AU). Change of address or telephone must be notified within seven days (regulation 98AW). Rental mooring users must have a licence that specifies the vessel and period, and must pay any charges (regulation 98AF). Public mooring users must comply with the conditions on the sign attached to the mooring (regulation 60A). Temporary mooring areas allow mooring in accordance with signs (regulation 60B). No person may install a mooring without lawful authority (regulation 59(1)); if in doubt, apply to the CEO for a licence before installing.
For researchers, a scientific purposes licence (regulation 89) is needed to take flora or fauna (including fish and pearl oyster) in marine nature reserves, parks, or management areas. The application must specify the species and numbers proposed to be taken (regulation 90). The licence is subject to conditions (regulation 93), and contravention is an offence. Note that fishing regulated under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 is not restricted by the Regulations (regulation 7), but taking for scientific purposes in a marine reserve may still require a licence under the Act.
General compliance tips: always carry your licence, permit, or authorisation and produce it on request by an authorised officer (regulation 109). If you are directed by an authorised officer to do something (e.g., cease a behaviour, extinguish a fire, vacate a camp, remove a vehicle, leave a closed area), comply immediately - failure is an offence with fines up to $2,000. If you believe a direction is unreasonable, seek reasons under regulation 111A and then challenge through appropriate channels rather than refusing to comply. Never give false or misleading information in any application or to an authorised officer (regulation 110). Keep proof of fee payment (parking tickets, camping receipts) displayed as required. If you discover unauthorised property on CALM land (e.g., an abandoned vehicle or mooring), report it; do not take it, as doing so may be an offence.
Finally, for those relying on Part 10 exclusions (e.g., for camping on recreational land, or bringing an animal into a townsite), note that the exclusions only apply if the person does not have written permission from the CEO. This means that a person who acts without permission is not automatically protected; the exclusion simply means section 103A(3) of the Act does not apply, so the ordinary criminal burden of proof remains on the prosecution. However, the person may still be prosecuted and convicted if the elements of the offence are proved beyond reasonable doubt. The exclusions do not create a defence; they merely preserve the usual evidentiary regime.