From Albany, WA to Jervis Bay, NSW and all the way inwards to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, SA, Australia is blessed with an epic coastline and diverse waterways that extend right into the Red Centre. And we sure know how to take advantage of them. According to Boating Industry Association data,1 in 10 Aussies have a boat licence, with more than 970,000 registered boats across the country.1
If you’re thinking of joining the club, you might be wondering what it takes to get a boat licence of your own. We’ve put together this handy guide so you can sail through the requirements in your state or territory, and also covered some important boat safety considerations – including how you might adequately cover yourself and your vessel with watercraft insurance.
Do I need a boat licence for all boats and watercraft in Australia?
Canoe, tinny, speed boat or yacht? Before you decide which boat might be a good fit for your lifestyle, it can be useful to know what you’ll need to do to safely and legally operate it. While the specific requirements differ depending on what state or territory you’re in (we’ll unpack this further down), here are a few general rules for some popular watercraft.
Do I need a boat licence for a tinny?
While tinnies might not be the most powerful boats out there, you may still need a boat licence to helm one. There is no overarching rule that applies across Australia but in most states and territories, whether or not you need a licence to operate a particular vessel will depend on the speed at which you plan to drive it or the power of the engine.2 For instance, in Queensland you must have a marine licence to operate any boat with an engine power greater than 4.5kW.3
Do I need a boat licence for a speed boat?
Most recreational speed boats can travel between 60 and 100 knots.4 For those states and territories where speed is a determining factor in licensing criteria, this exceeds the minimum requirement where a boat licence would be needed. In New South Wales, for example, you need a licence to drive / operate a recreational vessel at speeds of 10 knots or more.5
Do I need a boat licence for a jet ski?
A jet ski falls under the category of personal watercraft/PWC – a powered vessel with a fully enclosed hull, designed to be operated by a person standing, sitting astride, lying down or kneeling.6 As with boats, jet ski licensing rules differ across Australia, but in most places you’ll likely need a licence to operate one.
Given the extra safety concerns associated with not having protective barriers, some states apply stricter criteria for legally operating a jet ski. For example, to legally drive a jet ski in NSW and Queensland you must have both a boat licence and a personal watercraft/PWC licence.7,8
Other states, including South Australia and Western Australia, require a boat licence to operate a jet ski, and also place restrictions on where and how fast you can do so.9,10
To drive a jet ski in Tasmania, you must obtain a PWC endorsement on a valid motorboat licence by completing a PWC Practical Course with an accredited provider.11 With so much variance, you might like to check the requirements specific to your area.
How much are boat licence fees across Australia?
A Recreational marine driver licence costs $123.85.
Fees range from $39 for a 1-year concession licence to $679 for a 10-year licence.
There is no boat licence scheme but a valid licence from another state is required.
A marine licence ranges from $40.80 for one year to $204 for five years.
A boat operator’s licence fee is a flat rate of $49.
An RST (Recreational Skipper’s Ticket) costs $34.15 and is valid for life.
There are no licencing requirements for recreational boats.
Calculated based on age and license type but typically around $56 for a three-year Motor Boat License.
How to get a boat licence – NSW
In NSW, a general boat licence is a minimum requirement if you’re driving any marine vessel at 10 knots or more on NSW waters.12
Practical requirements
Before you can obtain your boat licence in NSW, you’ll need to provide evidence of practical boating experience. There are two options.
The first is to provide Service NSW with a logbook with at least three logged trips.12 These trips must be made in a powerboat or sailing boat using its engine, with an experienced skipper who is aged 18 or above and has held their boat licence for a minimum of three consecutive years.13
Alternatively, you may complete practical boating training conducted by Authorised Training Providers, which are independent organisations approved by Transport for NSW.13
Licence knowledge test
Alongside the practical experience, in NSW you need to pass a General Boat Licence Knowledge Test of 50 multiple-choice questions before you can apply for your boat licence.13 Once passed, you have 12 months to apply for your boat licence.14
Age restrictions
In NSW, anyone aged 12 or over who has met the above criteria can apply for a general boat driving licence.12 However, if you’re under 16, you must have a parent or legal guardian with you when you take the licence knowledge test.13
Licence fees
Boat licence fees in NSW vary depending on the length of the licence you’re applying for. The costs range from $39 for a 1-year concession licence to $679 for a 10-year licence, if you’re aged 16 and above.15
How to get a boat licence – Qld
In Queensland, you need a marine licence to operate a boat with an engine power greater than 4.5kW.3 However, you can operate a boat without a licence if you have a supervisor with a valid marine licence on board, unless that boat is towing a person – for example, someone water skiing.3
Practical requirements
A BoatSafe course must be completed before you can get a marine licence in Queensland.3 This course combines both practical boating experience – such as navigation drills – and theory training. Similar to NSW, the theory assessment consists of 50 multiple-choice questions.16 Alternatively, you'll need recognition of prior learning (RPL), which includes evidence of other training or experience in operating a vessel.16
Medical requirements
When you enrol in a BoatSafe course, you’re required to provide your training provider with a medical fitness disclosure statement.3
Age restrictions
In Queensland, you must be at least 16 years of age before you can get your marine licence.3
Licence fees
The current fee for a recreational marine driver licence in Queensland is $123.85.17
How to get a boat licence – Vic
In Victoria, you need to have a marine licence to operate a registered boat18–that means any boat with an engine capable of propulsion.19
Licence knowledge test
The marine licence knowledge test in Victoria consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. If you take the test at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre, you’ll get your results straight after. If you pass, you’ll receive your boat licence on the spot.18
Exemptions
If you already hold a comparable interstate boat licence that hasn’t expired in more than five years, or a relevant certificate that demonstrates your boating competence, you may be exempt from having to acquire a boat licence in Victoria.18
Medical tests
In addition to the licence knowledge test, Victoria also requires you to pass basic medical tests, including an eyesight test.18
Age restrictions
You can get a boat licence in Victoria from the age of 12 years old.18
Licence fees
The cost of a new marine licence in Victoria ranges from $40.80 for one year to $204 for five years.20
How to get a boat licence – SA
SA requires you to have a boat licence to operate any type of recreational vessel that’s fitted with an engine, regardless of the size of the engine or whether the engine is being used at the time.21
Licence knowledge test
You’re required to pass a multiple-choice theory exam based on information in the South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook before you can get your boat licence in SA.22
Medical requirements
If you have an eyesight or medical condition that may affect your ability to operate a recreational vessel fitted with an engine, you must disclose the condition and provide a completed medical and eyesight certificate.22
Age restrictions
You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a boat licence in SA, although children between 12 and 16 can apply for a special permit,21 which may allow them to operate a boat under certain circumstances.23
Exemptions
SA also has a number of exemptions that could mean you don’t need to sit a theory exam to get your boat licence – for example, if you have an interstate licence or hold one of several relevant certificates.22
Licence fees
The boat operator’s licence fee is a flat rate of $49 in SA.22
How to get a boat licence – WA
A boat licence in WA is called a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) and it’s required to operate any recreational vessel with a motor above 4.5kW.24
Licence knowledge test
There are different ways to train for the RST, which includes both practical and theoretical components. You can use the online workbook to study at your own pace and complete the practical element with a supervising skipper (who must hold their own RST and be at least 18 years of age); or you can use a professional training provider.25
The RST assessment itself comprises 40 multiple-choice questions, followed by a short boating trip where your practical skills will be tested via 11 tasks.25
Medical requirements
While a valid WA driver’s licence is sufficient to meet the eyesight component of the RST, you’ll be required to submit a declaration of medical fitness – completed by a medical practitioner – if you have certain medical conditions that could affect your ability to safely operate a boat, including heart disease, high or low blood pressure, type 1 diabetes and arthritis.25
Age restrictions
You need to be at least 14 years of age to get an RST.24 Applicants under 18 must have a letter of consent from a parent or guardian, while those under 16 have additional restrictions on operating a boat in WA. These include only being able to drive during daylight hours and keeping to a speed limit of under eight knots.24
Licence fees
A new RST in WA costs $34.15 and is valid for your lifetime.25
How to get a boat licence – NT
In the Northern Territory, you don’t need to hold a licence to operate a recreational boat. However, you may be prosecuted if you don’t follow minimum requirements for safety equipment or the Territory’s marine rules and regulations.26
How to get a boat licence – Tasmania
In Tasmania, you need a motor boat licence to operate a vessel that’s 4hp or more, with the exception of hire-and-drive vessels.27
Practical requirements
Before you can get a boat licence in Tasmania, you need to complete a BoatSafe Practical Course with an Accredited Provider.27 Prior to taking the test, it’s recommended that you study the MAST Safe Boating Handbook, which can be downloaded from the Tasmanian Government website.27 There’s also an online boat licence practice test you can try your hand at.
Age restrictions
Anyone over 17 can apply for a full boat licence in Tasmania. There’s also a provisional licence available if you’re 12 to 16 years old. When operating a boat on a provisional licence, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult, avoid driving the vessel at night, not exceed a speed of 20 knots, and avoid towing a skier.28
Licence fees
The fee for a boat licence in Tasmania depends on your age and what type of licence you’re applying for. The Government website houses a fee calculator to help you work out how much yours might cost.28
How to get a boat licence – ACT
The ACT Government doesn’t have a boat licence scheme, but to operate a boat on any ACT lake, other than Lake Burley Griffin where a special permit is required for private recreational power boats, you’ll need a registered boat and a valid licence from another Australian state.29
How important is boat insurance?
Life isn’t always smooth sailing, and neither is owning your dream boat. Once you’ve got that licence squared away and you’re ready to hit the water, you might be wondering whether you need boat insurance. While it’s generally not compulsory in Australia, several state and territory governments advise taking out some form of cover for your boat. Youi offers three types of watercraft insurance – Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft and Third Party Property Only – in all states and territories, with the exception of the Northern Territory.
It’s worth noting that even small boats can cause sizeable damage to other vessels that may prove very costly if your boat isn’t insured.
“For many people, a boat can be a major financial investment – and there are costs that can spring up as a result of unforeseen incidents,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product, Watercraft.
“For example, you might think that it’s not worth insuring your tinny, but if you crash into a much more expensive boat and cause $60,000 worth of damage, you might be glad you were insured.”
Youi boat insurance can also offer cover for costs you might not immediately think of, such as cleaning up fuel spills,30 cancelled mooring fees31or salvage in the case of a major accident.32
If you’re looking for boat insurance that’s a little more You-shaped, consider starting a quote online with our team today.
Information in this article is relevant as of April 2025 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant government websites for updates if this information is important to you.
1 Boating Industry Association – 2024 Boating Industry Data Report Card Released, August 2024
2 Discover Boating – Boat and Fishing Licences
3 Qld Government – Boat and personal watercraft licences
4 Discover Boating – Go-Fast Boats: Beginner’s Guide to the World of Speed, September 2024
5 NSW Government – Get boat or personal watercraft (PWC) licence
6 NSW Government – Personal Watercraft (PWC) Handbook
7 NSW Government – Apply for a personal watercraft (PWC) driving licence
8 Qld Government – Personal watercraft
9 SA Government – Personal watercraft safety
10 WA Government – Personal water craft
11 Tas Government – PWC Endorsement
12 NSW Government – Apply for a general boat driving licence
13 NSW Government – Boat driving licence practical logbook
14 NSW Government – Book a general boat or personal watercraft (PWC) licence knowledge test
15 NSW Government – Fees for boat or PWC licence
16 Qld Government – BoatSafe training and accreditation
17 Qld Government – Our fees and charges
18 Vic Government – Marine licence
19 Vic Police – Recreational vessels
20 VicRoads – Marine licence fees
21 SA Government – Boat licences
22 SA Government – Apply for a boat licence
23 SA Government – Apply for a special permit
24 WA Government – About Recreational Skipper’s Ticket
25 WA Government – Get a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket
26 NT Government – Safety guide for recreational boating
27 Tas Government – How to obtain a Motor Boat Licence
28 Tas Government – Apply for a boat licence
29 Access Canberra – Boating on ACT Lakes
30 A limit of $250,000 applies to claims for legal liability arising from pollution caused by oil, fuel or waste from the watercraft or tender as a result of an accident. Available with Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft or Third Party Property Only cover. For full details, see the PDS.
31 Available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies. For accepted claims, the most we will pay for each claim is the lesser of the actual fees charged or $1,000. The most we will pay in the contract period is $2,000 in total across all incidents that you can claim for. For full details, see the PDS.
32 Available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies. The most we will pay for each claim is $150,000. For full details, see the PDS.
