TGALT: Member Join

Benefits of TGALT Membership

Significant savings on Public Liability Insurance
Our members enjoy substantial savings on a group public liability insurance package.

Marketing Opportunities
From time to time various marketing opportunities arise that full members are able to take advantage of. A recent example is a definitive sport fishing booklet. This booklet, a full colour DL size production of 100,000 copies, has an indefinite shelf life and world distribution with the assistance of Tourism Tasmania.

Tasmanian Angling Guide: Distributed through travel and angling agencies throughout the world. At the time of printing all full TGALT members had the opportunity to advertise in this booklet at a very competitive rate. The booklet has proven to be an excellent resource for anglers and guides alike, with many guides reporting that their clients found them in this booklet. The booklet has a life span of approximately 3 years.

With continued efforts by our committee and marketing/promotions officer, full TGALT members look forward to more exciting marketing opportunities.

Lobbying Avenues to Government, Industry & Other Associations
TGALT is committed to lobbying Government for improvements and benefits to its members, e.g. lobbying for improved infrastructure to sustain a healthy increase in angler and visitor numbers. Recent initiatives of TGALT currently include negotiations with Government departments in view of streamlining the auditing process of vehicle accreditation and reducing the costs to its members.

TGALT Website
All members are listed on the TGALT website, which enjoys aGoogle top listing for an enquiry on trout guides in Tasmania.

Members are automatically notified of all inquiries for guided fishing and accommodation that comes via the TGALT site.

This site also serves as a library for a broad range of information on past and current issues, minutes of meetings and links to other sections of the industry.

Tourism Tasmania
TGALT enjoys a strong association with Tourism Tasmania in marketing Tasmania’s recreational fresh water fishing, in particular the guiding and “value added” industry sectors.

Operators who have achieved accreditation with Tourism Council Tasmania are listed on the Tourism Tasmania sponsored ‘Discover Tasmania’ website, http://www.discovertasmania.com.au.

TGALT member listings are also now with international Tourism Tasmania offices in London and North America.

Members have the opportunity to interact, obtain information on Tasmania’s niche recreational activities promotions and marketing objectives.

Travel and Trade Shows/Exhibitions
Members have the opportunity for their brochures to be displayed on Tourism Tasmania stands at these events.

Travelways
Full members who have achieved TCT accreditation are listed with a description, location and contact details in the free comprehensive travel guide, Tasmania Travelways publication.

Voting Rights
Full members have voting rights and the opportunity to express views and concerns at meetings, or via mail, email or phone.

Legislative Requirements

The following summary is intended as a general guide to the legislative requirements for Trout Guides and Accommodation providers. For further information, contact details of the relevant Agencies have been provided. Information is also available from the Business License Information Service. Free call 1800 005 262.

National Tourism Accreditation Program

TGALT fully supports the Tourism Accreditation Program and it is a requirement of our membership. Of course, it is not expected that new operators will achieve their accreditation immediately, but new members are required to be registered for TCT Accreditation and provide evidence of their registration to TGALT. Tourism Council Tasmania allows 6 months from registration for an operator to achieve their accreditation.

Tourism Tasmania and many tourism wholesalers, such as Tas Temptations will only support TCT accredited operators.

For more information about the program, please contact Ellissa Branch ellissa@tctas.com.au on 6224 1930.

Public Transport Operator Accreditation

This accreditation is required for any operator providing a public passenger transport service. It is carried out in modules appropriate to the type of service provided. It is illegal to operate a public passenger transport service until compliance with this accreditation is achieved.

Vehicles must have Public vehicle “hire car” registration.

Drivers of these vehicles must have a public vehicle ancillary license.

For more information please contact Alan Kersley of DIER on 6233 5396.

Marine & Survey Tasmania Accreditation (M.A.S.T.)

M.A.S.T. requires any operators using a vessel when providing their service to have that vessel commercially registered and under survey.

Operators of commercially registered vessels are required to hold a Coxswains Restricted Certificate.

It is a requirement for operators of commercial passenger vessels operating in Tasmania to be qualified in OH&S at Sea. The course, Elements of Shipboard Safety (ESS) is required to be completed by September 2004. Subsidised courses are carried out around the state.

New legislation also requires operators of commercial vessels to have a Safety Management Plan (SMP) in place and this is audited by M.A.S.T. To assist members, T.G.A.L.T. has created a generic template of the SMP that has been approved by M.A.S.T, which our members can use and modify to suit their own situations.

For further information about commercial vessel survey please contact M.A.S.T. on 6233 8855. For information and assistance about the ESS course and the SMP, please contact Gordon Goudie, email: gordon.goudie@mast.tas.gov.au or phone: 03 6233 5029.

First Aid

It is a requirement of our members (trout guides) to hold a First Aid Certificate, Workplace Level 2. These courses are available through Red Cross, 6331 2522 and St John Ambulance, 6343 4226.

Public Liability Insurance

It is a requirement of TGALT and Tourism Council Tasmania for Trout Guides to hold public liability insurance for minimum $10 million.

CVS Licence

National Parks and Reserves Management require all commercial ventures operating in National Parks to be licensed.

The Commercial Visitor Services (CVS) section of the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) provides a ‘one stop shop’ licence system for commercial tourism operations undertaken on land managed by the PWS, Forestry Tasmania, Crown Land Services and the Wellington Park Management Trust Further information on the licence application process can be found at www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=933 or by contacting Claudia Nasuti, Commercial Visitor Services Officer on (03) 6233 6370 or at Claudia.Nasuti@parks.tas.gov.au.

Angling Licenses

Operators must always ensure that their clients have a current IFS Angling License. Without a license, the angler is breaking the law and there may be repercussions for the operator. As retail outlets are not always open during hours when you may need to get your client a license, it is worthwhile applying to the IFS to become a license selling agent. For an application, contact Inland Fisheries email infish@ifs.tas.gov.au or visit the website www.ifs.tas.gov.au or phone 03 6233 4140.

Accommodation

An Accommodation License authorises a premises to provide tourist accommodation. For more information, application forms and costs, contact the office of the Commissioner for Licensing on 03 6336 2261.

You can also check with your local council regarding requirements, inspections and approvals. If your accommodation facility operates vehicles or vessels for clients, please refer to the Public Transport Operator Accreditation and Marine & Survey Tasmania Accreditation information on this document.

TGALT Requirements

TGALT full member guides must have at least three years local trout fishing knowledge and have held a Tasmanian Freshwater Fishing (IFS) Licence for a minimum of that period. See also the TGALT Constitution for this and further requirements.

Membership Application

TGALT actively seeks and welcomes all new members. Follow the appropriate link to complete your membership application: