Get practical boating experience
To apply for your boat licence, you must get practical boating experience. This includes experience using safety equipment and manoeuvring and handling a boat.
Get evidence of practical experience
There are 2 ways you can get your practical experience when you're applying for a general boat driving licence:
You must apply for your licencewithin 12 months of getting this practical experience.
You don't need to show practical experience if you’re applying for a PWC licence or have certain commercial competencies. See Who is exempt.
Training and logbook with experienced skipper
You can do your practical training in your own time with an experienced skipper who is generally a family member or friend.
During these practical boat trips you need to demonstrate skills from the Boating Licence Practical Logbook (PDF 1019.39KB). Download (PDF 1019.39KB) or get a free copy from a service centre.
Trip requirements
For your logbook (PDF 1019.39KB) to be accepted, you must take a minimum of 3 trips:
- In a powered vessel operating under power (excluding PWC which aren't permitted).
- In a vessel carrying the prescribed safety equipment, and lights if navigating at night time.
- Not exceeding a speed of 10 knots when making these trips.
- Within 12 months of the date you apply for a licence.
- In the company of an experienced skipper.
The experienced skipper(s) must be over 18 and have a current and valid NSW or interstate boat driving licence, and have held their licence for a minimum of 3 consecutive years at any stage, or hold a certificate of competency. You can use different skippers, with each signing off on your skills.
We recommend at least one trip between sunset and sunrise to give you experience navigating at night.
There's no time limit to each of your on-water trips.
You can do your trips in a legally unregistered vessel such as a small-powered runabout if needed.
Logbook checks
Transport for NSW conducts random audits to check people have honestly completed their logbook. Falsifying a logbook is considered an offence with a maximum penalty of $5,500. It may lead to a boat licence being cancelled.
Training with Authorised Training Provider
One way to get practical boating experience is through an Authorised Training Provider who are authorised to conduct training and testing on behalf of Transport for NSW.
Courses are delivered by Nominated Representatives who are accredited trainers and/or examiners appointed to deliver training and/or testing by Authorised Training Providers. To safeguard the professionalism and standards of instruction being delivered, there is a strict application process for Nominated Representatives that must be followed.
See our video about getting your boating licence through a provider.
Before you enrol make sure the course:
- Includes both theory and an on-water component.
- Can provide evidence of your experience. When you pass the course, your provider will include this in your Application for Boat Driving Licence form. If you submit this evidence when applying for a licence, you won’t need to submit a logbook.
What if the course doesn’t have on-water training?
Some Authorised Training Providers provide theory but not on-water training. In that case you’ll need to:
- Do the theory for practical boating experience with the provider.
- Complete a logbook of on-water training with an experienced skipper in your own time (see Training and logbook above).
Authorised Training Providers in NSW
Authorised Training Providers (ATPs) conduct training and testing on behalf of Transport for NSW. They include:
| Registered Business Name (A-Z) | Trading Name | ABN | Accreditation under BDLTPS Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Licence Training Pty Ltd | Australian Boating College | 43 080 057 923 | 14 June 2028 |
| Club Sail Pty. Ltd. | Superyacht Crew Academy | 19 077 443 157 | 27 March 2026 |
| Flying Fish Australia Pty Ltd | Flying Fish Sailing | 34 098 757 565 | 7 August 2028 |
| Interaction Consulting Group Pty Ltd | Interaction Consulting Group Pty Ltd | 82 064 623 543 | 15 November 2026 |
| NSW Fishing Industry Training Committee Ltd | Maritime Safety Training (MAST) | 64 002 693 281 | 14 June 2028 |
| Silver Spirit Cruises Pty Ltd | Maritime Training School | 65 121 257 403 | 14 June 2028 |
| Sailing World Pty Ltd | Boating Licence Course | 83 092 478 718 | 14 June 2028 |
| Sea School Marine Training | Sea School International Pty Ltd | 27 140 038 713 | 14 June 2028 |
| Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW | Marine Rescue NSW | 98 138 078 092 | 14 June 2028 |
| Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd | Yamaha Marine Academy | 88 002 556 989 | 14 June 2028 |
Transport for NSW recognises and supports the vital role of the Marine Teachers Association of NSW (MTANSW) in developing and delivering the boat licencing curriculum under the standards set by the Board of Studies NSW. Our long-standing collaboration with the MTANSW through the Boat Licence in Secondary Schools (BLISS) Program ensures students receive comprehensive and current education on boat licencing in NSW, enhancing safety and competence on our NSW waterways.
For more information about the program please contact us maritimeeducation@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Apply to become an ATP
If you would like to apply to become an Authorised Training Provider with Transport for NSW please visit the Apply to be an ATP page for more information.
Who is exempt from boating experience?
Some licence applicants don’t need to provide evidence of practical boating experience.
You’re exempt from providing evidence of experience if you’re:
- Upgrading from a general boat to a PWC licence (as you already hold a general boat licence).
- Transferring a licence from interstate to NSW - provided your interstate licence is current or expired less than 5 years ago.
- Transferring commercial qualifications to a recreational licence – provided your commercial qualification is current or expired less than 5 years ago.
- Carrying recognised qualifications that satisfy requirements for a general boat driving licence. For details call 13 77 88.