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Do I need a licence?
The answer is different in every jurisdiction, and it is not the question that decides whether you get the boat. A recreational licence is state law. A charter operator's acceptance is a separate judgement made under its own safety management system. Both are covered on each page below.
QueenslandQueensland requires a marine licence above a low engine-power threshold, but Whitsundays bareboat operators set their own handover standard.Maritime Safety Queensland · 19 operators listed
New South WalesNew South Wales requires a boat driving licence to operate a powered vessel at 10 knots or more, but charter acceptance is the operator’s call.Transport for NSW · 10 operators listed
VictoriaVictoria requires a marine licence for recreational powered vessels, but almost all Victorian charter is skippered, so the licence rarely applies.Transport Safety Victoria · 2 operators listed
TasmaniaTasmania requires a motor boat licence above a low engine-power threshold, but Tasmanian charter is mostly skippered and assessed by the operator.Department of State Growth · 3 operators listed
South AustraliaSouth Australia requires a boat operator licence for powered recreational vessels, but charter acceptance rests on the operator’s safety management system.Department for Infrastructure and Transport · 5 operators listed
Western AustraliaWestern Australia issues a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket for powered vessels above a low power threshold, but charter acceptance is a separate operator decision.Department of Transport · 2 operators listed
Northern TerritoryThe Northern Territory has no recreational boat licensing requirement at all, which surprises most visitors, but operators still assess competence.Northern Territory Government · 2 operators listed
Australian Capital TerritoryThe ACT requires a licence for powered vessels on ACT waters, though the local market is dinghy and trailer-sailer hire on Lake Burley Griffin.Access Canberra · 1 operator listed
For what an operator actually assesses instead of a licence, see qualifications, charter resumes and briefings. For the framework behind all of it, see safety and commercial vessel rules. Every authority named on these pages is listed on the resources page.