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Every skipper of a registrable, recreational vessel, powered by a motor greater than 4.5kwp (6 hp) (RST vessel)
will be required to hold a Recreational Skipper's Ticket.
Interstate or overseas ticket valid for three months. If you
hold a valid/current interstate or foreign skipper's ticket, recognised by the Department and listed in the skills recognition section
of this website and you enter Western Australia, as a visitor or with the intention of permanently residing in the State, it will
be taken that you hold a recreational skipper's ticket until three months have elapsed since you entered the State. After that period
you must apply for an RST, under the Skills Recognition scheme, if you wish to continue operating an RST vessel in this State.
A
marine licence is required to operate a recreational boat which is powered by a motor greater than 4.5kW (over 6hp) and you must have
a personal watercraft (PWC) licence to operate a PWC.
Current and valid recreational boat licences (excluding junior licences)
issued by an interstate marine authority may be used in Queensland while they remain current. Maritime Safety Queensland recommends
if you move to Queensland that you obtain a Queensland recreational marine driver licence.
To operate a personal watercraft or
jet ski, you must hold a personal watercraft licence. You must hold a current and valid marine licence before being able to get a
personal watercraft licence.
To drive a registered motor boat in Tasmania, including all recreational
vessels (other than a hire and drive vessel) with an engine 4hp or greater. This includes personal water craft (PWC).
To operate
a PWC a valid Motor Boat Licence is required. This licence is also required to be endorsed to allow operation of a PWC. This endorsement
is obtained by completing a PWC Practical Course.
A current licence issued in another state is accepted. (This must be transferred
to a Tasmanian Motor Boat Licence if a resident of Tasmania).
If you are operating a boat with a motor
you must have a licence. This is regardless of size of the boat or the engine, or whether the engine is being used at the time.
An
interstate licence is accepted.
Recreational Boat Registration and Skippers Ticket
A marine licence allows you to operate a motorised boat in Victorian waters. You can also have your marine licence endorsed
to operate personal watercraft (e.g. Jet skis). There is no mention of acceptance of other states licences.
The speed at which a boat is driven determines whether a person needs to be licensed. Any person who drives a powered vessel
for recreational purposes on NSW waters at a speed of 10 knots (18.5 km/h) or more must have a boat driver’s licence. Ten knots is
the speed at which most accelerating boats will start to plane – that is rise up and skim on top of the water instead of ploughing
through it. The exception is anyone who drives a personal watercraft (PWC) at ANY speed must have a PWC Licence. An interstate
licence is accepted.
Northern Territory
A Skippers Ticket is not required for recreational boating in the Northern
Territory.
Boat registration state by state.
Recreational boat registration is not required in Australian Capital Territory or Northern Territory
Links to the registration requirements for all other states hereunder. Click on the state for link.
In most cases, if your boat has a motor, you will be required to register it in your state of residence.
To use your boat, you
will in most cases be required to hold a skipper’s ticket or marine licence. The name varies between each state, as do the requirements. In most cases, and interstate licence or ticket is accepted; either for three months duration or until expiry. The requirements
in each state can be ascertained from the following. This is over and above the registration of the vessel.
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