New Licensing and Quota Management System (LQMS)
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has developed a new Licensing and Quota Management System (LQMS) to improve reliability, reduce administrative burden, and deliver better services for industry.
LQMS is a modern, easy-to-use online portal that allows commercial fishers, aquaculture businesses, to manage licensing and quota transactions in one place. It replaces paper-based processes with a simpler, faster digital experience.
It will also provide a portal for universities and other organisations or individuals wanting authorisation to take or move fish to apply for a temporary permit to undertake the activity.
This important reform will help reduce red tape and provide easier access to manage licences and quota. Through a single portal, users will be able to:
- Renew their licences
- Transfer quota
- query quota balances
- Transfer or add a new operator
- Register a boat
- Delegate administrator authority to a company employee or a licence holder’s trusted person such as a partner or other family member
- Register a nominated financial interest on a licence
- Apply for a permit
- Fill in your Fit and Proper paperwork, including submitting your Police Check
- For eQuota fishers (Westernport/Port Phillip Bay, Pipi, Octopus, Banded morwong and Scallop ocean) – you will use the new portal to record catch at the place of landing
What this means for current licence, permit and quota holders
- From 27th May, all current licence, permit and quota holdings will be available for you to view in the new portal – LQMS Fisher Portal
- When you want to transfer quota, renew a boat registration, transfer an operator or apply for a permit, you can register for the system, and start managing your entitlements.
How do I access the LQMS Fisher Portal?
The LQMS Fisher Portal will be accessible via computer and mobile devices via this link
User Guides to help you get online and start using LQMS!
A user guide has also been developed for all users here
If you are an eQuota fisher (Westernport/Port Phillip Bay, Pipi, Octopus, Banded morwong and Scallop ocean), a user guide to record your catch is available here
Secure access
Accessing LQMS will require Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect your information and ensure all transactions meet Victorian Government security standards. This will require authentication codes to be sent to an email address each time you log in.
Support during the transition
The VFA understands that changes to systems and technology can be challenging and is committed to supporting you.
Available support includes:
- Training sessions (online or in person on request)
- Assistance from the Commercial Licensing team at:
- commercial.licensing@vfa.vic.gov.au
- 1800 620 896 (business hours)
- Duty Officer support for Vic‑eCatch issues:
- 0418 519 215 (24/7)
- Ongoing assistance from Fisheries Managers and local Fisheries Officers