Do I need a boat licence to charter a yacht in Australia?

For a trip where a professional skipper runs the vessel, ask what is expected of guests. For bareboat hire, check the applicable licence rules and the operator’s experience assessment separately. A statement that no licence is needed for one hire does not apply to every boat or jurisdiction.

Before you book

Send the operator the name and issuing authority of any licence or sailing qualification, together with recent experience on comparable boats. Ask for the required documents, briefing and assessment in writing, including the arrangements if your nominated skipper is not accepted.

Use our state licence pages to find the relevant authority. Read qualifications and briefings for preparing your enquiry, or consider a skippered charter if you want someone else to run the boat.