Boat licence · 8 states and territories · checked Oct 2026

Boat licence by state: who needs one, and from what age

Every state sets its own trigger for a recreational boat licence: a speed, an engine size, or any engine at all. The Northern Territory has no licence. Find your state below, then open its page for the full rule and the source.

SHORT ANSWER

In Victoria and South Australia you need a licence for any powered boat. In NSW you need one at 10 knots or more (and on any jet ski). Queensland’s trigger is an engine over 4.5 kW, Western Australia’s a motor over 6 hp (4.5 kW), and Tasmania’s a motor of 4 hp or more. The NT has no boat licence. On ACT lakes you need a state or Commonwealth licence, except in a power boat that isn’t a PWC at under 10 knots.

Do I need a boat licence for a tinny?

It depends on the engine and the state, not the hull. A tinny with an outboard needs a licence in Victoria and South Australia whatever the engine size. In NSW it depends on speed (10 knots or more). In Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania it depends on engine power, so check the exact threshold in the table against your outboard’s rating.

State-by-state table

The trigger and age columns are our summary; the full rule text and source are in each row.

State	Licence	Who needs one	Minimum age
New South WalesNSW	General Boat Licence (and PWC licence)	At 10 knots or more, and on any PWC Full rule A licence is needed to drive a recreational vessel on NSW waters at 10 knots (18.5 km/h) or more, or to drive any personal watercraft. Not needed for powerboats under 10 knots, sailing boats without an engine, paddlecraft (canoe, kayak, surf ski), rowing boats, sailboards or kiteboards. Two classes: General Boat Licence (GBL) and PWC licence. GBL requires evidence of practical experience (logbook or approved course) plus the boating knowledge test; carry your licence (card or Service NSW digital) when driving at 10 knots+ or on a PWC. General boat licence from age 12. Holders aged 12–15 must not drive a PWC or vessel above 20 knots, at night, in races/displays, or while towing anyone; at 10 knots or more they must have a licence holder aged 16+ on board (a PWC licence holder for PWC). Under-16 applicants need a parent/guardian present when applying. Source: nsw.gov.au	12 (limits until 16) All NSW rules →
QueenslandQLD	Recreational marine driver licence (RMDL) and PWC licence	Engine over 4.5 kW Full rule A recreational marine driver licence (RMDL) is needed to operate a boat with an engine power greater than 4.5 kW. You can drive unlicensed if a licensed supervisor is on board who can take immediate control. Only a licensed driver may tow a person (skier, tube). Licence via a BoatSafe course with an approved provider; it appears on the back of your Queensland driver licence. Must be at least 16 to get a Queensland marine licence (RMDL or PWC). Under-16s may drive only under the supervision of a licence holder on board. Source: qld.gov.au	16 (younger only with a licence holder on board) All QLD rules →
VictoriaVIC	Marine licence (and PWC endorsement)	Any powered vessel Full rule Anyone operating a powered recreational vessel on Victorian waters needs a marine licence – no speed threshold – including sailing boats with motors, e-foils and paddlecraft with a motor (exemption: tapered kayaks/canoes with an electric motor of max 40 lb thrust / 750 W used at no more than 5 knots). Get it via an accredited training course or the VicRoads computer test. Interstate licence holders may use an equivalent licence for 3 months. Restricted marine licence for ages 12–15: daylight only, under 10 knots, no towing; it automatically becomes a full licence at 16. PWC endorsement from 16. Source: safetransport.vic.gov.au	12 restricted; full licence at 16 All VIC rules →
Western AustraliaWA	Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST)	Motor over 6 hp (4.5 kW) Full rule A Recreational Skipper's Ticket (RST) is needed to operate a recreational vessel with a motor over 6 hp (4.5 kW). Only the skipper needs it and must carry it at all times. No RST needed for unpowered vessels or motors of 4.5 kW or less. The RST never needs renewing. Interstate/overseas skippers staying under 3 months don't need one. Minimum 14 to get an RST. Holders aged 14–15 may only operate in daylight and below 8 knots (applies to boats and PWC). Source: transport.wa.gov.au	14 (14–15: daylight, under 8 knots) All WA rules →
South AustraliaSA	Boat Operator’s Licence	Any vessel with an engine Full rule Anyone 16+ must hold a Boat Operator's Licence to operate any recreational vessel fitted with an engine – even if the engine is not being used (no engine-size or speed threshold), including PWC. Unlicensed persons aged 12+ may drive only under direct supervision of a licence holder and at no more than 10 knots (not PWC). Licence: written exam via Service SA. Interstate licences valid for 90 days. Boat Operator's Licence from 16. Ages 12–15 can get a Special Permit: may drive powered vessels (not PWC) under direct supervision of a licence holder; after passing the Special Permit practical exam may drive unsupervised between sunrise and sunset a vessel under 4 m with potential speed of 10 knots or less, with everyone wearing lifejackets. Special Permit expires at 16. Source: marinesafety.sa.gov.au	16 (Special Permit 12–15) All SA rules →
TasmaniaTAS	Motor boat licence (and PWC endorsement)	Motor of 4 hp or more Full rule A motor boat licence is needed to operate a recreational vessel with a motor of 4 hp or more (except hire-and-drive vessels not exceeding 8 knots after training). Licence only through training with an approved provider; valid 3 years with a common expiry date (currently 30 June 2027). You need not carry it, but must produce it within 14 days if asked. Interstate licences valid 3 months. Provisional licence for ages 12–17 (same process as full licence): must be accompanied by a responsible adult, no night operation, max 20 knots, no towing skiers; becomes a full licence from the 17th birthday. PWC endorsement from age 12 (12–17 with the same provisional restrictions, per the MAST Safe Boating Handbook). Source: mast.tas.gov.au	12 provisional; full licence at 17 All TAS rules →
Northern TerritoryNT	No licence	Not required Full rule No licence is required to drive a recreational boat in the Northern Territory ('You are also not required to hold a licence to drive them'). You must still follow the minimum safety equipment requirements and the Marine Act 1981 / Marine (General) Regulations 2013; boating inspectors and police can issue infringement notices. Source: nt.gov.au	— All NT rules →
Australian Capital TerritoryACT	No ACT licence scheme	A state or Commonwealth licence; none under 10 knots (not PWC) Full rule The ACT does not run its own boat-licensing scheme in the Lakes Act 1976: a person may operate a power boat on an ACT lake if they hold a State or Commonwealth licence/permit (e.g. NSW boat licence or a Certificate of Competency) and follow its conditions (s 27), or without a licence if the power boat is not a PWC and is operated at less than 10 knots, subject to Ministerial conditions (s 28). Other power-boat use needs written Ministerial authorisation (s 29). On Lake Burley Griffin's national land, power boats need an NCA power boat permit (Category 1 rescue/coaching/judging boats for aquatic sports; Category 2 electric/solar boats and trailerable yachts with auxiliary power; Category 3 lake management and special-interest/traditional boats; Category 4 commercial tourist boats). Source: legislation.act.gov.au	— All ACT rules →

Using your licence in another state

Victoria: interstate licence holders may use an equivalent licence for 3 months.
South Australia: interstate licences are valid for 90 days.
Tasmania: interstate licences are valid for 3 months.
Western Australia: interstate and overseas skippers staying under 3 months don’t need an RST.
ACT lakes: a State or Commonwealth licence is accepted, following its conditions.

We didn’t find NSW or Queensland wording on interstate licences in the pages we checked; ask the agency before you go.

Marine radio needs its own certificate

A boat licence doesn’t cover a marine radio. NSW: “To use a VHF or HF radio, you must have a radio operator’s certificate.” Victoria and Western Australia also require a qualification or operator’s certificate to use a VHF. Marine radio channels and rules.

WHAT VESSELSOS DOES HERE

VesselSOS on Australian waters

Life in danger? Tap “Yes, life in danger” and the app dials Triple Zero (000). The screen shows your GPS position in words and a word-for-word script that starts “Police. Boat emergency, I’m on the water.”, then the waterway, the nearest town and the state.
The rescue-centre list also has JRCC Australia (1800 641 792), the national maritime rescue line for offshore, as a second Call button, and a VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY text filled with your boat’s details for you to read on your own radio.
A live link for family ashore (Plus, free during the beta): your position, speed, course and phone battery in any browser, no app needed on their end. You send it by text yourself.

What it doesn’t do: it doesn’t log you on with Marine Rescue or anyone else, and it isn’t connected to 000, Police, Marine Rescue or AMSA. Nobody is alerted automatically if you’re late: the return-time check only asks “Are you OK?” on your own phone. Marine rescue log-on services do follow up when you don’t log off, so log on with them as well. A phone doesn’t replace a marine radio, an EPIRB or PLB, or the safety gear your state requires.

iPhone only, in invite-only TestFlight beta. Not in the App Store yet, no Android. Australian support (000 routing) is in beta version 1.5 and later.

Quick answers

Do I need a boat licence for a 6 hp outboard?

In Victoria and South Australia, yes: any powered boat needs a licence. In Tasmania, a motor of 4 hp or more needs one. In Western Australia the trigger is a motor over 6 hp (4.5 kW), and in Queensland an engine over 4.5 kW. In NSW it depends on speed: a licence is needed at 10 knots or more. The NT has no boat licence.

Do you need a boat licence in the NT?

No. NT Government: “You are also not required to hold a licence to drive them.” You must still carry the minimum safety equipment and follow the Marine Act 1981 and the Marine (General) Regulations 2013.

What is a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket?

It’s Western Australia’s boat licence. You need one to operate a recreational vessel with a motor over 6 hp (4.5 kW), including a jet ski. Only the skipper needs it, it must be carried at all times, and it never needs renewing. The minimum age is 14; holders aged 14–15 may only operate in daylight and below 8 knots.

How old do you have to be to get a boat licence?

NSW: from 12, with limits until 16. Queensland: 16. Victoria: a restricted licence from 12, full licence at 16. Western Australia: 14. South Australia: 16 (a Special Permit from 12). Tasmania: a provisional licence from 12, full licence from 17.

Sources

CHECKED OCT 2026

Checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your state’s marine safety agency before you go.

This page summarises the rules for planning; it isn’t legal advice. Where this page and the official text differ, the official text wins. Spotted an error? Email support@vesselsos.com.