Boating around Australia.

Weather - Marine

Boating Information for each State- ACT: NSW: NT: QLD: SA: TAS: VIC: WA:

Are you planning on doing any boating or fishing during your trip? What sort of licences etc do you need and where do you get them? Because each State or Territory has different rules, be sure you check them out. Boating and fishing are a great way to relax, and you may even catch a meal. Also check out Fishing Information

Before leaving home, be sure to have the boat engine and battery checked. Examine the boat for any damage, or defects. Check all the equipment to be sure it is in sound working condition. Some of the things to check and pack, are the lifejackets, safety flares, torch, GPS, water container, fuel container, fishing gear if required. Also make sure you have the necessary paperwork, e.g. trailer permit is current (and have trailer serviced), boating licence (current) and fishing licence if required (check fishing for more information). For boating ramps around Australia try Boat Ramps Australia Wide there was a list on their site, but it seems to have disappeared. It may return soon, so we are leaving the link for the time being.

The following information was correct at the time of publishing, but like all things, they may change. If in any doubt check with the local Authority for any updates, before proceeding.

Weather Information from the Australian - Bureau of Meteorology.

ACT Recreational Boating

Boat Permits: Overview [more] and for the full boating [policy]

Lake Burley Griffin is a popular venue for water sports, in particular, sailing, rowing, sail boarding and canoeing. Generally power boat use is not permitted, though powerboats will be seen on the lake being used as rescue, coaching and judging boats and for lake management work.

The Management Plan defines principal use areas, which provide users the maximum opportunity for use without conflicting with other users. There is a sailing course in West Lake and a rowing course in Yarramundi Reach marked by buoy lines. Canoe training is held in the sheltered waters of Molonglo Reach. However, other users are not restricted from using these principal use areas unless there is a formal ‘lake closure' for a particular event.

Requirements for permits (for powered boats only) Non-powered craft such as sailing boats and canoes do not require a permit to go on Lake Burley Griffin. Powered boats require a permit. These are issued annually by the National Capital Authority. Obtaining a Boat Permit - To arrange an ACT Water Police inspection (Tel:6245 7393). For events, the organiser normally supplies the permit forms. National Capital Authority (only if you need a permit for a powerboat - contact details) Treasury Building, King Edward Terrace, PARKES ACT 2600 or GPO Box 373, CANBERRA ACT 2600
Tel: 02 6271 2888 Fax 02 6273 4427

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NSW Recreational Boating

Recognition of Licences: Temporary recognition of licences is available to visitors from interstate or overseas. A NSW licence is not required when:

(i) your usual place of residence is outside NSW, and
(ii) you have not been in NSW continuously during the three months preceding the date on which you are driving the vessel, and
(iii) you hold and carry a valid current licence or permit to drive a vessel of the type you are driving issued under the legislation of another State, Territory or country.
If any of the above conditions cannot be met and you wish to drive a power-driven vessel at 10 knots or more or a PWC regardless of its speed on navigable waters in NSW, you must hold a current NSW General Licence or PWC Licence.

Please note you are required to comply with NSW boating laws while boating in this State. That includes carrying your licence when boating For more information check out these links Boating booklet and Licence Types

It is neither the size of a vessel nor the power of an engine which determines whether a person needs to be licensed in New South Wales - it is the speed at which a boat is driven.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Licence: Except in the case of a PWC any person who drives a mechanically propelled vessel on NSW waters at 10 knots or more must have a boat drivers licence.

Note: 10 knots is the speed at which an accelerating boat will start to plane - that is rise up and skim along on top of the water instead of ploughing through it. Anyone who drives a PWC at ANY speed (even below 10 knots) must have a PWC license. For more on boat safety click here

Tide Tables in Pdf form, from NSW Waterways for 2007 to 2008. Or to contact them click here

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NT Recreational Boating

Boating rules in the Northern Territory: Pleasure craft do not require registration and operators are not required to hold a licence to drive a pleasure craft. However, minimum requirements for safety equipment have been determined for most pleasure craft. It is important that operators familiarise themselves with the Marine (Pleasure Craft) Regulations in regard to safety equipment requirements, including any exemptions that are applicable.

NT Marine and Fisheries Police and Marine Safety Branch Boating Safety Inspectors conduct frequent patrols at boat ramps and on the water. Copies of the Regulations and the Marine Act can be purchased from the Northern Territory Government Printing Office phone (08) 8999 4036, fax (08) 8999 4001.

Tidal predictions in NT

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Qld Recreation Boating

Recognition of other qualifications, training or experience: The recognition of prior learning (RPL) process caters for those who can provide evidence of other relevant qualifications, training or experience in vessel operations. If this relates to your situation please contact an approved BoatSafe training provider for consideration and assessment under the RPL process.
Valid equivalent marine licence: [more] Licences that are issued by other safety authorities within the Commonwealth of Australia or other entities recognised by Maritime Safety Queensland and include the following:

1. current boating licences issued in other states (excludes junior licences)
2. current Small Vessel Operators Certificate (to operate a fishing ship less than 10 m in length issued by the Queensland Fishing Industry Training Council)

In 2000, Maritime Safety Queensland changed from a paper-based boat licence to a virtual licence. Licence details are recorded in a computerised database which is accessible by on-water enforcement officers such as Water Police and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.

New licensees will only be issued with a printed confirmation statement verifying they hold a recreational marine driver licence if requested. The virtual licence is valid for life. All current Queensland recreational marine driver licences, (including the old speed boat driver's licence and recreational ship master's licence) automatically become life-time licences.
If you are going boating interstate, you should carry a confirmation statement as proof that you hold a Queensland licence.

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SA Recreation Boating

Interstate Visitors & Boat Licences [more] If you normally live outside South Australia and hold a current interstate boat licence to operate a motor boat you may operate a motor boat in this State for up to 90 days from the date the boat was first operated in the State's waters.

If your visit exceeds 90 days Or an interstate boat licence is not available, you must apply for a South Australian Boat Operator’s Licence. If you take up permanent residency in SA, you need to obtain a SA boat operators licence within 14 days. Email us or contact any Customer Service Centre for more information.

Boat Operator's Licence: You must have a Boat Operator’s Licence to operate any type of recreational boat fitted with an engine, regardless of the size of the boat or its engine, or whether the engine is being used at the time.

Applying for a Boat Operator's Licence You can:
1. apply for your licence at any Customer Service Centre
2. download an Application for a Boat Operators Licence to Operate a Recreational Vessel from our forms page.

You must pass a Written test and pay the appropriate fee .For more information click here Email SA Transport or contact any Customer Service Centre for more information..

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TAS Recreation Boating

Nothing could be found about pre-existing licence recognition, so contact marine safety for more information.

New Licence system for MAST Motor Boat Licence: Marine and Safety Tasmania expects all power boat licence applicants to have some practical boating experience and relevant knowledge prior to sitting for the MAST Motor Boat Licence. Consequently, from 1st November 2004 the way a person gets a motor boat licence will change. Prior to sitting the motor boat licence test an applicant will need to provide proof of prior knowledge and experience. [more] For a licence exam form. Registration of the boat in another State is recognised [more]

Tidal predictions Tasmania or to find out more information via phone click here

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Vic Recreation Boating

Nothing could be found about pre-existing licence recognition, so contact marine safety for more information, or see exemptions.

Who needs to be licensed? Any person who operates a powered recreational vessel needs to be licensed. That is, any boat equipped with an engine that is used or is capable of being used for propulsion.

‘If your boat is required to be registered you will require a licence to operate it’ What test is required? Boat operators will need to sit a computerised boating knowledge test, similar to the knowledge test for driver learner permits.
To operate a Personal Watercraft (eg. jet ski) you will need to have an appropriate endorsement on your licence. This will require an additional knowledge test. A licence endorsed for PWC operation will allow operation of all types of powered recreational vessels.

What do I need to study to pass the boat operator licence test? Marine Safety Victoria has published the Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook. and then see "handbook" down the right-hand side under Top 5 downloads) When last checked the site had gone completely so try here

The handbook includes information and sample questions on the competency areas required, including trip preparation, safe operation and what to do in an emergency. The handbook also has a chapter on personal watercraft operation. Where do I get a handbook from? The handbook is free of charge and can be obtained either from any VicRoads Registration and Licensing Offices or you can contact us for a copy. A licence is required to operate any powered recreational vessel in Victoria. [more] Testing contributes to improving safety on Victorian waters by ensuring that anyone operating a registered recreational boat has demonstrated a basic knowledge of waterway rules and safe operation.
To make a booking for the licence test, contact VicRoads on 13 11 71. Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four

Vic Weather & Tides

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WA Recreation Boating

Previous Skills Recognition: If you hold:
1. a commercial marine qualification (not engineering); or
2. a current/valid boat drivers licence issued outside of Western Australia; or
3. one of the certificates listed [See full list]
(Western Australian, Australian, Overseas ), that meets the RST requirements,

You can apply for automatic endorsement through an authorised assessor. Click here for details of where to present qualifications. The assessor will require you to complete an RST application form and provide proof of identity. An administrative fee may apply. They will then forward your application to the Department for verification and issuing of your RST. The Recreational Skipper Ticket [more] The RST is a certificate of competency, not a licence. It is purely about demonstrating the minimum knowledge and practical skills needed to operate a boat safely on the water. It is based on a set of marine safety competencies that have been agreed nationally. The assessment of these competencies will be in two sections: theory and practical. Depending on your prior qualification you may be exempt from the assessment.

It is important to remember that only one person on board will need hold the RST. In the same way that a captain is in charge of a ship, this doesn’t mean that they must be at the wheel the whole time. It does mean they are responsible for what happens on the boat during the voyage. Click here to download the regulation. pdf (48kb)

Who has to have one? By 1 April 2008, 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.

A person aged between 14 and 16 cannot be in charge of an RST vessel unless they hold an RST. Age restrictions also apply to this age group – vessels may be operated only during daylight hours and at a maximum speed of 8 knots.

If you’re between 14 and 25 you must hold an RST before you next skipper an RST vessel. Over 25s will have until 1 April 2008 before they are required to hold an RST.

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