At a special meeting of the Hobart Marine Board on 6 April 1904, it was announced that a lighthouse was to be built on Tasman Island.

The successful tenderer was Henrikson & Knutson for a price of £10,487 10s with an undertaking to complete the works in 18 months from the date of announcement being 18 August 1904.

Either annually or biennially the lighthouse and island are open for public access via helicopter tours.

Tasman Island lighthouse and surrounding land is owned by the Tasmanian State government.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) lease the lighthouse and land from the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service.