What this class covers
ANZSIC Class 2392: Boatbuilding and Repair Services encompasses Australian businesses primarily engaged in constructing or repairing small vessels under 50 tonnes displacement. This classification applies to a wide range of watercraft intended for recreational, commercial, or personal use, excluding only the largest commercial shipbuilding operations. The industry includes both manufacturing new vessels from raw materials and providing maintenance, refitting, and repair services for existing boats.
Typical operations in this class include a family-owned boatyard building custom sailing yachts, a workshop specialising in refitting and repairing fibreglass powerboats, or a manufacturer producing inflatable tenders for the marine industry. The classification captures businesses working with various materials including fibreglass, aluminium, wood, and composites, provided the final product is a complete vessel or the service involves vessel repair.
This ANZSIC classification is used by government agencies, researchers, and industry bodies to track the marine manufacturing sector's economic contribution. Businesses in this class may need to report under this code for statistical purposes, grant applications, or when complying with certain regulatory reporting requirements.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class typically engage in one or more of the following activities:
- Building new boats, yachts, and small watercraft under 50 tonnes
- Repairing, maintaining, or refurbishing existing vessels
- Constructing canoes, kayaks, and dinghies for commercial sale
- Manufacturing inflatable boats and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs)
- Building jet boats and personal watercraft
- Constructing powerboats with inboard or outboard motors
- Building sailboats and sailing yachts
- Custom yacht construction and fitting out
Exclusions and nearby codes
Several related activities fall outside this classification and are covered by other ANZSIC classes:
Manufacturing boat components from fibreglass (such as hulls, decks, or fittings) as a separate production activity is classified under ANZSIC 1919: Other Polymer Product Manufacturing. This distinction matters when a business primarily produces components rather than complete vessels.
Surfboard and sailboard manufacturing is excluded from this class and falls under ANZSIC 2592: Toy, Sporting and Recreational Product Manufacturing, as these are considered sporting equipment rather than vessels.
Businesses building vessels over 50 tonnes displacement are classified elsewhere in the transport equipment manufacturing subdivision, typically under shipbuilding and repair classifications.
Practical guidance
When registering your ABN, you'll need to select appropriate industry classifications. For boatbuilding or repair businesses working on vessels under 50 tonnes, ANZSIC 2392 is typically the most relevant primary classification. The equivalent Business Industry Code (BIC) for this activity is 23920.
Workers' compensation premiums in Australia are often calculated based on industry risk classifications, and boatbuilding typically falls under manufacturing categories with associated premium rates. Keeping accurate records of activities is important as businesses engaged in both boatbuilding and excluded activities (like component manufacturing) may need multiple classifications.
Some government grants and industry assistance programs for manufacturing may require accurate ANZSIC coding. When completing Business Activity Statements or tax returns, ensure your reported activities align with your registered classifications to maintain consistency across government systems.