Boat licence NSW

Boating Licence NSW, How to obtain a boat licence in NSW:

Firstly, there are two main types of recreational boat licence issued in NSW:

1) General boat driving licence
Required to drive any powered recreational vessel (other than a PWC) at 10 knots or more. A person must be 12 years of age or older in order to hold a general boat driving licence. Restrictions apply to licence holders under 16 years of age.

2) Personal watercraft (PWC) driving licence
Required to drive a PWC. A PWC licence also allows the holder to drive any other powered recreational vessel at 10 knots or more. A person must be 12 years of age or older in order to hold a PWC driving licence. Restrictions apply to licence holders under 16 years of age

How can I obtain a General boat licence in NSW?
To obtain a general boat driving licence, applicants must:

– Provide evidence of practical boating experience

– Successfully complete the general boat licence knowledge test.

Option 1
Practical boating experience can be gained by completing this boat driving licence practical logbook. When first applying for a general boat driving licence, applicants must carry out, in the company of an experienced skipper, a minimum of three trips in a powered vessel (excluding PWC) operating under power.

An experienced skipper is a person who holds a valid NSW general boat driving licence which has been valid for at least three years, or holds a certificate of competency in force under the NSCV issued by AMSA.

Note: Licence holders under 18 years of age are not considered experienced skippers for this purpose

Option 2
Applicants can also satisfy the practical experience requirement by completing practical boating training providers.

Applying for the licence

Next you will be able to Apply for the licence directly with Service NSW (And enjoy your boating!)

Boat Licence Fees in NSW (effective 1 July 2022)

Knowledge Test fees