The publication was required to be used in conjunction with the British Admiralty Notices to Mariners, nautical charts and any supplements produced.
[5] Australia had its own Australian Hydrographic Service created in 1920, but the British nautical charts and sailing directions continued to be published after that time.
[7][8][9][10] A system of guides from the United States also exists for the same waters covered by the Australian Pilot.
[11] Earlier localised guides also existed in some states of Australia.
[12] Earlier regional guides preceded Hydrographic services and relied on collation from ships records.