Australia
- Who issues it
- Recreational licences are handled by Transport for NSW, Safe Transport Victoria through VicRoads, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport, and Marine and Safety Tasmania. Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issues national professional certificates. Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulates marine radio qualifications. The Australian Maritime College manages SROCP, LROCP and MSCE exams, while AMSA manages GMDSS certification.
- Minimum age
- 12 years
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
Do you need a licence?
It depends on your state or territory; there is no national licence.
You don't need one for:
- a Queensland boat with an engine up to 4.5 kW
- any recreational boat in the Northern Territory
In Queensland, boats over 4.5 kW require a licence from 16. You may drive with a licensed supervisor able to take immediate control, but need your own licence to tow a person.
NSW General Boat Driving Licence
From 12- What it lets you do
- Boats at 10 knots or more on NSW waters. Ages 12–15 have speed, supervision, daylight and towing restrictions. PWC requires a separate licence.
- How you get it
- 50 multiple-choice questions. Pass 24/30 in Section A and 20/20 in Section B. Practical experience through a logbook or approved course.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
NSW Personal Watercraft Driving Licence
From 12- What it lets you do
- PWC at any speed on NSW waters. General boat licence required first. Ages 12–15 have speed, supervision, daylight and towing restrictions.
- How you get it
- PWC knowledge test, pass at least 12/15 questions. General boat licence required first. No extra practical experience for the upgrade.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Victoria Restricted Marine Licence / Marine Licence / PWC Endorsement
From 12
- What it lets you do
- Motor boats, with exemptions. Ages 12–15 are limited to daylight, below 10 knots and no towing. Full licence and optional PWC endorsement from 16.
- How you get it
- Marine knowledge test, pass 26/30 multiple-choice questions, plus eyesight check. PWC endorsement adds a test requiring 13/15 correct.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Queensland Recreational Marine Driver Licence / Personal Watercraft Licence
From 16- What it lets you do
- Boats above 4.5 kW. PWC requires both licences. Unlicensed operation is allowed with a licensed supervisor on board who can take immediate control.
- How you get it
- BoatSafe theory and practical assessment. Boat theory has 50 questions in 45 minutes, requiring 100%. PWC adds theory and practical assessments.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Western Australia Recreational Skipper's Ticket
From 14- What it lets you do
- Boats with motors above 6 hp (4.5 kW). Ages 14–15 may operate only in daylight below 8 knots.
- How you get it
- 40 multiple-choice theory questions, requiring 34 correct. Pass theory before the on-water practical assessment.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
South Australia Special Permit
From 12
- What it lets you do
- Ages 12–15, no PWC or skier towing. Supervised boating, or after a practical test solo by day in boats <4 m, capable of ≤10 knots, all in lifejackets.
- How you get it
- Special Permit theory exam. An additional on-water practical test is required for unsupervised operation.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
South Australia Boat Operator's Licence
From 16- What it lets you do
- Recreational boats fitted with an engine, including PWC, even when the engine is not in use. Exemptions apply.
- How you get it
- Multiple-choice theory. All Part A answers must be correct, with at least 75% in Parts B and C. Certain qualifications allow an exam exemption.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Tasmania Provisional Licence / Motor Boat Licence / PWC Endorsement
From 12- What it lets you do
- Boats from 4 hp. Full licence at 17. Ages 12–16 need an adult, daylight, ≤20 knots and no skier towing. PWC requires an endorsement, available from 12.
- How you get it
- Approved BoatSafe theory and practical training, then a licence test. PWC endorsement requires its own practical course and written test.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
More exam guides
NSW boat licence (General boat driving licence)
You need a NSW general boat licence to drive a recreational powerboat, including a sailing boat using its engine, at 10 knots or more on NSW waters. You can apply from age 12 after passing the knowledge test and completing the required practical experience; a PWC needs a separate PWC licence.
Professional deck titles
Watchkeeper Deck <500 GT / Watchkeeper Deck
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Navigational watch officer in any area. The <500 GT certificate covers ships below 500 GT, the other any tonnage.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Mate <500 GT
STCW II/1, II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate or watch officer below 500 GT in any area. Master below 500 GT in near-coastal waters.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Mate <3000 GT
STCW II/1, II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate below 3000 GT and navigational watch officer on ships of any tonnage, in any operating area.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Mate
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate or navigational watch officer on ships of any tonnage in any operating area.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master <500 GT
STCW II/1, II/2- What it lets you do
- Master or chief mate below 500 GT in any area or below 3000 GT near coastal. Watch officer on ships of any tonnage.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master <3000 GT / Master
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master or chief mate in any area, below 3000 GT for Master <3000 GT, or any tonnage for Master.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ)
- What it lets you do
- VHF marine radio within Australian territorial waters, up to 12 nautical miles from the coast.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP)
SRC- What it lets you do
- Internationally recognised qualification for operating VHF marine radio.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP)
LRC- What it lets you do
- Internationally recognised qualification for operating HF and VHF marine radio.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Marine Satellite Communications Endorsement (MSCE)
- What it lets you do
- Adds GMDSS satellite equipment operation to an SROCP or LROCP.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS radio operator's certificate (General Operator's Certificate)
GOC- What it lets you do
- AMSA certificate meeting operator qualification requirements for all maritime stations.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
The Academy is free with an account: lessons for every topic, timed mocks marked like the real exam, and your progress saved.
Official sources: NSW Government — Get boat or personal watercraft (PWC) licence · VicRoads — Marine and boat licence · Queensland Government — Boat and personal watercraft licences · Transport WA — Get a Recreational Skipper's Ticket · Marine Safety SA — South Australian recreational boating safety handbook, Licensing & registration · Marine and Safety Tasmania — Tasmanian Safe Boating Handbook · Federal Register of Legislation — Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023, compilation commencing 23 December 2024 · Australian Communications and Media Authority — Marine radio qualifications