So you’re ready to buy a boat – but before you do, you need to get your boat licence. Note that boat licensing laws vary according to each state or territory, although if you move interstate they are usually valid for up to three months.
Here are some of the best places to do your boat licence course.
ABC Boating (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria)
ABC offers a one-day course combining theory with practice, along with a free pre-study course through their website to help you arrive better prepared on instruction day. Courses are offered in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
AllState Boat Licensing and Training (Queensland)
Serving a wide range of localities across Queensland, AllState also offer a remote learning option to suit your location or work schedule. Both boating and PWC (jetski) licence training are available – you just choose a location and a course date that suits.
Boatbiz Tasmania (Tasmania)
This school operates from the Geilston Bay Boat Club, just north-east of Hobart. Their comprehensive boat licence course covers safety and marine regulations and includes a practical component. Group discounts are available.
Marine Training Services (Victoria)
Wherever you live in Victoria, Marine Training Services can put you in touch with an accredited instructor serving your local area. Courses are conducted regularly and also on demand.
National Boating College (New South Wales)
This registered training organisation offers both boating and personal watercraft (PWC) courses for recreational boaters at all skill levels, from the beginner to the experienced. The one-day boat licence course includes book-based learning and a session on the water.
Perth Boat School (Western Australia)
In Western Australia, a recreational boat licence is referred to as a skipper’s ticket, and Perth Boat School can help you get yours at a range of locations in the capital, as well as at more remote locations including Exmouth. You can book through their website, and they will also price-match.
Service SAÂ (South Australia)
In South Australia, you don’t need to take a course to get a boat licence; instead, you simply pay a fee and sit an exam at a Service SA customer centre. You need to provide proof of age and medical fitness. After you’ve passed, you are free to cast off.
Note that in the Northern Territory, you don’t need a boat licence for recreational boating, although minimum boat safety requirements do apply. Find out more about how to conduct a boat safety check.
Want to know more about your obligations out on the water? Read about the legal requirements for safe boating.