Recreational
boat licence NSW
Sea School International has many training locations in NSW for you to do your General Boat and PWC licence training.
Sea School International Pty Ltd (ABN 27 140 038 713, RTO 91732) is approved by NSW Maritime to provide practical boat training and/or knowledge testing for the NSW general boat driving licence and PWC driving licence.
This licence permits people aged 12 years and over to drive any vessel (except a PWC) at 10 knots or more.
A PWC (Personal Water Craft) driving licence is required for people aged 12 years and over to drive a PWC. People who hold a general boat driving licence can upgrade to a PWC driving licence at any time. A PWC driving licence includes a general boat licence. A PWC licence holder is able to operate a vessel with a fully enclosed hull that may be driven standing up, lying down, sitting astride or kneeling, and includes jet powered surfboards.
NSW have a 'junior' boat licence for persons aged 12 – 16. The holder of a general boat driving licence or PWC driving licence who is aged from 12 to under 16 years of age must not do any of the following:
This course is our most popular because all steps are covered on the same day! It includes the Practical Boating Course, the Boating Knowledge Course and the Boating Knowledge Test.
This course is made up of the Boat Licencing Course and the PWC Knowledge Test to obtain both Boat and PWC licence.
This practical boating experience is in a small group, where each participant gains skills and confidence by spending time at the wheel of a training vessel with an outboard motor, launching and recovery of boats as well as mooring, docking, anchoring and man overboard.
This course is a step-by-step, classroom presentation about channel markers, navigation lights, collision regulations, boat wash, speed, compulsory safety equipment and everything you need to know to safely drive a boat.
This course is a step-by-step, classroom presentation about channel markers, navigation lights, collision regulations, boat wash, speed, compulsory safety equipment and everything you need to know to safely drive a boat and PWC
Complete a compulsory knowledge test.
*applicants must complete a boating knowledge test first or, hold a general boat licence
Course fees must be paid prior to course commencement
| Sea School course type | Fees |
|---|---|
| Boat Licencing Course | $380 |
| Boat and PWC Licencing Course | $450 |
| Practical Boating Course | $250 |
| Boating Knowledge Course theory & test | $250 |
| Boating & PWC Knowledge Course theory & test | $300 |
| PWC (Jet Ski) Upgrade - must hold boat licence to complete | $200 |
Refresher courses and private training are available on request.
| Pittwater | 7 days per week | Michael Cooper 1300 666 416 michael@seaschool.com.au Stuart Cooper 0418 462 236 stuart@seaschool.com.au |
| Western Sydney | 7 days per week | Jenny Nugent 0405 677 534 jennycourses@gmail.com |
| Roseville | By appointment | Stuart Cooper 0418 462 236 stuart@seaschool.com.au |
| Penrith | Saturday or by appointment | Chris Shaw 0404 568 572 chris@seaschool.com.au |
| Southern Sydney | 7 days per week | Mike Harrison 0431 716 244 mikeharrison@seaschool.com.au |
| Hawkesbury Hills District | By appointment | Mick Crossland (02) 4502 3793 crosslandmotorsport@gmail.com |
| Central Coast | Saturday and Sunday | Bob Diaz (02) 4389 3483 or 0414 435 483 info@prodivecentralcoast.com.au |
| Jervis Bay | Sunday or by appointment | Bill or Julia 0413 360 600 or 0411 540 885 seaschooljb@gmail.com |
| Tweed Heads | By appointment | Peter Comerford (07) 5524 3683 or 0423 000 093 info@tweedseasports.com |
Boat and PWC licence courses and practical boating lessons are also held at various locations throughout QLD and WA.
Identification |
You will need to bring your Australian Drivers Licence (or other acceptable proof of Identification). |
Clothing: |
Clothing should be casual clothing suitable for the practical boating components. Shoes should be deck shoes, joggers, sandshoes or work boots (no open-toe shoes such as thongs). |
These tests are NOT available online. All theory and practical tests must be completed face-to-face within the presence of an accredited Maritime Trainer and Assessor.
The PWC licence knowledge test cannot be attempted until the General Licence knowledge test has been successfully completed or the applicant holds a current boat licence.
You must be able to communicate orally in English. If you have difficulties in this regard we recommend that you contact NSW Maritime or visit your local NSW Maritime office who will arrange an appointment with an interpreter.
We are also able to conduct the tests orally for applicants with special needs.
Our trainers will cover all the rules and regulations, information about boating safety and everything you need to know to pass your Boating Knowledge Test.
However, NSW Maritime have some useful resources for pre-study.
NSW Maritime provide a Boating handbook to operate a vessel for recreational purposes on NSW waters. NSW Maritime also has online study guides to assist your learning and the Boating Knowledge Quiz is a very useful resource for studying and preparing for the knowledge tests.
To learn about PWC / jet ski operations, we recommend the NSW Maritime Personal Watercraft Handbook.
To apply for a general boat or PWC licence you’ll need to provide:
You can attend a registry or service centre in person or post in your application.
Similar to a driver's licence, you will also have to pay a state government fee to NSW Maritime to obtain your NSW Boat Licence or PWC Licence. One, three, five and ten year licences are now available.
| NSW Maritime Licence Fees, as of 1 July 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Boat | PWC | |
| One (1) year Licence | $77 | $245 |
| Three (3) year Licence | $220 | $662 |
| Five (5) year Licence | $351 | $1042 |
| Ten (10) year Licence | $679 | $1961 |
| One (1) year Concession or person aged under 16 years | $39 | $123 |
| Three (3) year Concession or person aged under 16 years Licence | $110 | $331 |
| Five (5) year Concession or person aged under 16 years Licence | $176 | $521 |
| Ten (10) year Concession or person aged under 16 years Licence | $340 | $981 |
| Replacement Licence | $24 | $24 |
Signing your enrolment form acknowledges your understanding of your rights, obligations and acceptance of Sea School’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.
Sea School course costs, timetable, course content, policies and procedures are subject to change without notice.
You are required to read the detailed terms and conditions information on our website.
Sea School International is committed to providing an effective, efficient, timely, fair and confidential complaints and appeals handling procedure for all students.
Please view our Complaint management procedure and Complaints form for further information on how to lodge your complaint.
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Just wanted to thank you and your staff at Sea School. I have over 20 years experience in the teaching profession and work closely with Macquarie Uni & UTS and I can certainly say that your methods of teaching coxswain ticket were spot on.
Craig Mitchell, Managing Director, Sydney Harbour Bookings
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Recreational
boat licence
Sea School International Pty Ltd
Under new management since 2013
This page last updated on Tue 2 July 2024