How to Wear a Life Jacket: Fit, Sizing & Australian Rules
How a life jacket should fit, how to size it, and what the rules say in your state
By Chris O'Shea and Anna Nikstad, Welcome Board Store, Mornington Peninsula
We fit vests every week across the counter, and the most common problem isn't the wrong brand, it's the wrong fit. A vest that's too loose can ride up over your face the moment you hit the water. This guide covers sizing, the fit checks we use in the shop, the Australian Standard levels and the towed-sports rules in each state.
Quick answer: Size by the weight and chest range on the label, zip it up and make sure there's only about 5 to 10 cm of give. Lift it by the shoulders: if it rides up past your ears, it's too loose. For wakeboarding, skiing and tubing, most states accept a snug-fitting Level 50S or higher, but check your state's rules below.
1. Size by weight and chest, not by T-shirt size
Every approved vest has a label showing the weight range it's rated for and the chest measurement it fits. Check both. Weight tells you the vest has enough buoyancy for you; chest tells you it'll actually sit close to your body. If you're between sizes, try both on, because brands cut differently.
Kids need a vest made for kids, sized to their current weight. Don't buy one "to grow into", because a vest that's too big is the one that slips off.
2. Snug, not tight: the 5 to 10 cm rule
Once it's zipped and buckled, you should only be able to pull the vest about 5 to 10 cm away from your body. It should feel close but still let you breathe and twist.
Neoprene vests should feel tight on land. Neoprene stretches when it's wet, so a neoprene vest that feels comfortable in the shop will usually be loose on the water. This is why Level 50S vests carry the "fit snug" warning: they rely on a close fit to stay in place.
Where can you wear a Level 50S in Victoria? On inland waters (most lakes, rivers and dams), a Level 50S is accepted for every type of recreational boat, including towed riders. On enclosed waters such as Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Gippsland Lakes, it's accepted for PWC riders, kayaks, SUPs and kite or windsurfers, but people in powerboats up to 4.8m need a Level 100, and children under 12 must wear a Level 100. On open coastal waters you'll generally need a Level 100. Source: Safe Transport Victoria. Other states differ, so check your state's rules below.
3. The lift test
Zip up, put your arms up, and get a mate to grab the shoulders of the vest and pull straight up. If it slides up past your chin or ears, go down a size or tighten the straps. It should move a little and then stop.
4. The chin check
Before your first session, float in shallow water, lean your head back and relax. Your chin should stay clear of the water and the vest shouldn't ride up. If it does, the fit is wrong.
5. Foam, inflatable or hybrid?
| Type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Foam | Wakeboarding, skiing, tubing, PWC, kids. Always buoyant, no maintenance. | Bulkier. This is what most towed-sports vests are. |
| Inflatable | Boating, fishing, adults who want something low-profile. | Needs servicing and a gas cylinder check. Not recommended for towed sports, and not for kids. |
| Hybrid | Some built-in foam plus inflation. | Still needs inflatable-style maintenance. |
6. The Australian Standard: AS 4758 levels
Lifejackets sold in Australia are approved to AS 4758. You'll see a level on the label:
| Level | Old name | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Level 150 / 100 | Type 1 | Offshore and open water. High buoyancy, designed to turn you face up. |
| Level 50 | Type 2 | Buoyancy aid for enclosed and sheltered water, high-visibility colours. |
| Level 50S | Type 3 | "Special purpose": the same buoyancy as Level 50 but can be any colour. Most wake vests are 50S. Must fit snug. |
7. Towed sports rules, state by state
Rules for wakeboarding, waterskiing, kneeboarding, tubing and wakesurfing differ between states and change over time. This is a summary only. Always check your state authority before you head out.
| State | Towed sports summary | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | Anyone being towed must wear a lifejacket at all times. Level 50 or 50S is generally suitable for towed sports. | Safe Transport Victoria |
| NSW | A person being towed must wear Level 50S or above at all times, including wakesurfers. Inflatables aren't recommended when towed. | Transport for NSW (Maritime) |
| QLD | Level 50S is accepted for towed riders in smooth water; Level 50 for smooth or partially smooth water. | Maritime Safety Queensland |
| WA | Towed riders: Transport WA recommends an approved Level 50S or higher while skiing (includes wake/tube). On rivers, lakes, dams, estuaries, harbours and within 400 m of shore, registrable boats must carry Level 100+ for each person. Beyond 400 m in unprotected waters, Level 100+ must be worn (everyone on boats under 4.8 m; children 1–12 on larger boats). PWC: wear Level 50S in all waters. | Transport WA — water skiing · Lifejackets |
| SA | Every person being towed must wear an approved Level 50 or 50S (AS 4758 from 1 Jan 2025). PWC operator and passengers: Level 50 or 50S at all times. Children 12 and under must wear a lifejacket in open areas of boats up to 12 m. On unprotected waters, Level 100+ is the usual requirement for general boating — use Marine Safety SA's checker for your vessel and water type. | Marine Safety SA — towing · Carrying and wearing |
| TAS | Every person being towed must wear an approved life jacket; inflatables are not allowed for the towed person. Level 50 or 50S is accepted for towed riders (and for PWC in smooth/sheltered waters). For motor boats, Level 50 is for smooth water only; sheltered and open waters need Level 100+. Kids under 12 must wear a jacket on a motor boat of any length while under power; everyone must wear on motor boats under 6 m while under power. | MAST — water sports · Life jackets |
| NT | A person being towed must wear a personal flotation device (AS 4758) that is appropriate for the activity — the regulation does not name Level 50S specifically. Carriage: inland waters Level 50+ per person; intermediate and open waters Level 100+. PWC riders must wear an approved PFD. Kids: check the NT Marine Safety guide for your craft. | NT.GOV.AU — recreational boating · Categories of waters |
| ACT | On ACT lakes (Access Canberra / Lakes Act): anyone being towed, wakeboarding or wakesurfing must wear an appropriate lifejacket (AS 4758 Level 50S, 50, 100, 150 or 275). Children under 12 in an open area of a boat under 8 m under way must wear one. Lake Burley Griffin (NCA): waterskiing, towing and wakeboarding are prohibited unless authorised by a regulated activity permit — not a general "most ACT waters" ban. | Access Canberra — ACT lakes · Lakes Act 1976 · NCA — Lake Burley Griffin |
Disclaimer: this table is a general guide only, not legal advice. Rules vary by waterway and change, so check your state authority's current requirements.
8. Look after it
Before each season, check the vest for rips, broken buckles, a sticking zip, faded or brittle fabric and a readable label. Rinse it in fresh water after salt, dry it in the shade, and store it out of the heat. Don't leave it baking in the boat or the car. If it's damaged or the label is gone, replace it.
Shop life jackets
New to the sport? Read our Best Wakeboards for Beginners guide.
Come in and get fitted
Bring the whole crew and we'll fit everyone properly. Welcome Board Store, 207 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington VIC. Open Mon–Fri 10–5:30, Sat 10–4, Sun 11–3.
Fit tips adapted with credit from JetPilot's How to Wear a Life Jacket.
