Boating Courses

Interested in Boating Courses? Contact your local Marine Rescue Unit or Marine Rescue Head Quarters to find out what courses are coming up in your area.

Boat Licences

Do you need one?

If you drive a recreational boat at 10 knots or more in NSW waters, you need a General Licence or a General Young Adult Licence. If you drive a Personal Water Craft (PWC) (such as Jet Ski, Sea-Doo or Waverunner) at any speed, you must have a PWC Licence.

How do you get a licence?

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 with Marine Rescue NSW

1. Complete the compulsory General Licence Boating Safety Course and for PWC applicants the PWC Licence Boating Safety Course
2. Provide evidence of your practical boating experience or take a practical boat handling training course
3. Pass the general licence knowledge test

Some Marine Rescue Units – which are all up and down the coast of NSW – provide courses which teach all the ins and outs of safe boat handling while educating and building confidence in the local navigation and pilotage rules.

Experienced skippers present the course and provide a fun and informative session. They know their way around local waterways and are able to answer any of your questions. Contact your nearest Marine Rescue Unit about boating licence courses.

You should study the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook prior to attending the course. Young adults and adults attend the same course.

The Boating Safety Course must be done before the licence test can be attempted. Practical boating experience can be completed at any stage although a boat licence will not be issued until all three components have been successfully completed.

The general licence knowledge test comprises 40 questions of which the first 15 must all be answered correctly.

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).

Assessment

This is based on:

• Your score in the NSW Maritime accredited Recreational Boat Licence Knowledge Quiz; and
• Your class participation

Qualifications

Once you've passed the knowledge quiz you will receive:

• A Certificate of Satisfactory Course Completion to present to NSW Maritime. (You will also need evidence of your practical boating experience or successful completion of your accredited practical boat handling course.)
• A Statement of Attainment Certificate issued by Marine Rescue NSW

Arrival time

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start of class

What to bring

• Pen
• Boating handbook
• Proof of Identity (see below or contact us for accepted forms of identification)

General Licence

One form of photo ID is required, e.g. Driver's Licence, Passport, or RTA issued Photo Card

Young Adult Licence (persons 12 to under 16 years)

One Primary Document, e.g. full birth certificate or passport. One secondary document, e.g. Medicare card, ATM card, bank statement, current student ID card etc

Parent/Guardian of Young Adult Licence applicant

One form of photo ID is required, e.g. Driver's Licence, Passport, or RTA issued Photo Card.