Boat Licences
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NSW Maritime Boating Handbook |  |
To obtain an initial general or Personal Watercraft (PWC) licence applicants must:
- Complete the compulsory General Licence Boating Safety Course and for PWC applicants the PWC Licence Boating Safety Course;
- Provide evidence of practical boating experience; and
- Successfully undertake the general licence knowledge test and for PWC applicants the PWC licence knowledge test.
The Boating Safety Course(s) must be undertaken before the licence test(s) can be attempted however, practical boating experience can be completed at any stage although a boat licence will not be issued until all 3 components have been successfully completed.
Applicants wishing to upgrade their existing general licence to a PWC licence are not required to provide evidence of practical boating experience and need only comply with PWC Licence Boating Safety Course and PWC licence test requirements.
The general licence knowledge test comprises 40 questions of which the first 15 must all be answered correctly and the PWC licence knowledge test contains 15 questions of which a minimum of 12 must be answered correctly.
The PWC licence knowledge test cannot be attempted until the general licence knowledge test has been successfully completed.
The NSW Maritime Boating Handbook provides essential boating information for operating a vessel for recreational purposes on NSW waters. It is strongly advised that licence applicants study the handbook prior to completing the boating safety course and practical experience requirements and undertaking the knowledge test(s).
How to comply with Boating Safety Course requirements.
Boating Safety Course requirements can be met by one of the following:
- By viewing the Boating Safety Course online. Click here to view the course online.
OR
- By purchasing a DVD of the course for viewing at home. Click here to purchase a DVD
OR
- Attending a Boating Safety Course conducted by NSW Maritime, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol or Volunteer Marine Rescue Association. Click here for NSW Maritime venues and dates.
An alternative to completing a Boating Safety Course for the requirement to obtain a licence and undertaking the licence test is to successfully undertake a course conducted by one of the following Recognised Training Providers (RTP). For details on these courses click on the link below:
The following Certificates from Yachting Australia are also recognised as satisfying the full requirements (including the practical component) for a general boat licence:
- National Powerboat Training Scheme
- National Yacht Cruising Scheme
- National Motor Cruising Scheme
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Details on Boating Safety Course requirements and to the NSW Maritime Safe Boating Handbook. |
How to comply with practical boating experience requirements
To gain the required practical boating experience the following options are available:
- Undertake a practical boating course with one of the above RTP, or
- Completing a Competency Log
If the practical boating course option is selected, for which a fee is payable, the applicant will, on completion of the course, be issued a Certificate of Completion by the RTP which must be presented to NSW Maritime when applying for before a boat licence.
If the logbook option is selected, the applicant must complete a minimum of three trips in a powered vessel under power. Trip details must be recorded in the logbook and be verified by an experienced skipper (a person who holds a valid NSW or interstate adult boat licence and has held that licence for a minimum of 3 years).
Only trips undertaken within 12 months of the date of applying for the issue of a boat licence will be recognised for the purpose of satisfying practical experience requirements.
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Details on practical boating experience requirements and to download a copy of the Boating Licence Practical Logbook. |
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For Questions and Answers on the Pratical Boating requirement please click here |
