NSW Boat and PWC Licence Info
Everything you need to know
Are you planning to hit the waters in New South Wales? Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a boating beginner, understanding when you need a NSW boat licence is crucial. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure you’re compliant and ready for a safe and enjoyable time on the water.
NSW boat and PWC licence
Quick guide
In New South Wales, a boat licence is required for operating certain types of vessels. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine if you need one:
Fast Vessels
If you operate a powered vessel at 10 knots (18.5 km/h) or more, you must have a general boat licence. Common activities for licence holders includes water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing and cruising.
Personal Watercraft
If you operate any PWC, regardless of speed, you need a the PWC licence upgrade. This licence covers jet skis and other similar watercraft. You must first have a NSW boat licence to obtain this upgrade (done at the same time/course when you come through us).
NSW Boat Licence
The NSW boat licence gives you the ability to operate a recreational vessel (exluding PWC’s) in NSW waters. Think of this as the ‘base’ licence for you maritime activities.
Licence requirements
- Prerequisites: None
- Age requirement: You must be at least 12 years old.
- Speed limit: Required for recreational vessels traveling at 10 knots or more.
- On-water experience: 3x trips with someone who has a current NSW boat licence completed via a logbook.
- Validity: Options for 1, 3, 5, or 10 years (just like a drivers licence).
NSW PWC Licence
The NSW PWC licence (commonly referred to as the jetski licence) gives you the ability to operate a PWC (such as a jetski) in NSW waters. This is an upgrade on top of a NSW boat licence.
Licence requirements
- Prerequisites: Must hold a current NSW boat licence
- Age requirement: You must be at least 12 years old.
- Speed limit: Required for any PWC, regardless of your speed.
- On-water experience: No PWC specific on-water experience required.
- Validity: Options for 1, 3, 5, or 10 years (just like a drivers licence).
Looking to get your boat or jetski licence?
We run simple licence courses that make it easy for you to go boating!
Frequently Asked Questions
The licence itself doesn’t place a limit on your speed (if you’re over 16 years old) but many boating areas will be sign posted with a max speed limit. Remember that at all times you need to operate at a safe speed appropriate for your vessel, the conditions and your level of experience.
The NSW boat licence can be used for almost any recreational registered vessel such as water ski boats, fishing vessels, sailing vessels and more. There is not a limit on the size of the vessel.
It cannot be used for the operation of a commercial vessel or for commercial purposes. That requires at least a Coxswain’s level qualification. If you need this, contact our team.
In the vast majority of cases, having a suspended drivers licence won’t stop you from obtaining a NSW boat and PWC licence. However, given the varying levels of penalties which can result in the loss of a licence, it is advised that you check your eligibility with Transport for NSW before booking.
A ‘young adult’ who is over 12 years old but below 16 years old will have a few common-sense restrictions placed on their licence.
Licence holders under age 16 years must not drive a PWC or vessel:
- at a speed greater than 20 knots (approximately 37km/hour), or
- in any race, display, regatta, exhibition or similar operation, or
- between sunset and sunrise, or
- while the vessel is towing anyone.
If driving a vessel other than a PWC at a speed of 10 knots or more:
- you must have someone with a General Boat Driving or PWC licence who is 16 years of age or older present in the vessel
- you must not drive at these speeds between sunset and sunrise
- you must not tow anyone.
If driving a PWC at a speed of 10 knots or more:
- you must have someone with a PWC licence who is 16 years of age or older present on the PWC
- you must not drive at these speeds while towing anyone.
A personal watercraft (PWC) is a vessel with a fully enclosed hull that may be driven standing up, lying down, sitting astride or kneeling. It includes jet-powered surfboards. When you see ‘PWC’ licence, it’s almost always referring to a jetski.
If you already hold a NSW boat licence and wish to just do the PWC upgrade, that can be done at any of our courses. If you do not already hold a NSW boat licence, then you’ll need to do both the boat and PWC licence, which we can do both for you at the same time.
Your NSW boat licence made simple!
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We do NSW boat and jetski licence courses!
For over 30 years, Albury Boat Licence has been the trusted name in nautical education, guiding thousands of boating enthusiasts to confidently navigate the waters. Our training sessions are more than just courses; they’re a gateway to freedom on the waves, conducted across a vast expanse of the NSW/VIC border.
Experienced
With over 30 years experience in teaching safe boating courses across NSW, you can rest easy knowing you’re receiving the absolute best in boating education for your licence.
Accredited
Albury Boat Licence is an established Authorised Training Provider to deliver the NSW boat and PWC licence course. Additionally, all our trainers are vetted and qualified.
Simple
In-depth teachings delivered in a variety of beginner-friendly methods. Our NSW boat and jetski licence course gets continually refined based on student feedback.