Welcome to nswboatlicence.com

course information

nswboatlicence.com is a fully owned division of All Hands on Deck Maritime Training.
We specialise in the delivery of training and assessment in the following areas:

Boat Safety Course (BSC) for a NSW General Adult Boat Licence and Young Adult Boat Licence
NSW Adult and Young Adult Personal Water Craft (PWC) Licence
'Practical' Boat Licence Training (BLT)
Commercial Deck Hand (GPH) Training
Marine Radio Licence
Survival at Sea Training
Night Navigation Course
Coastal Navigation Course
Private Boat Handling Tuition

Since 2006 it has been a compulsory requirement to undertake a Boat Safety Course (BSC) prior to obtaining a Recreational Boat and PWC Licence.

In June 2009 it also became compulsory for Boat Licence applicants to undertake some form of Boat Licence Training (BLT). BLT requires the applicant for a Boat Licence to undertake 'Practical' training on board a vessel which involves:

  • Mooring
  • Berthing
  • Anchoring
  • Apply collision avoidance regulations
  • Understand buoyage systems
  • Respond to Person Overboard Board (POB) incidents
  • Establishing a Float Plat
  • Undertake pre departure checks and more

    • The BSC and BLT can be undertaken together in one session or seperately over multiple sessions and it does not matter which one is undertaken first. A Boat Licence will only be issued by NSW Maritime when both have been completed. Below you will find information on General Boating Licence, PWC Licence, Deck Hand Training, Marine Radio Licence and comments made by previous course candidates as well as links to download free course information and the NSW Maritime Handbook.

    nsw maritime general boat licence

    A General Boat Licence is required for any person aged 16 years and over who drives a power driven vessel at a speed of 10 knots or more (equivilant to 18 klm). For persons 12 years to 16 years a Young Adult General Boat Licence is available. The process to obtain both licences is the same. To obtain a General Boat Licence involves an easy 5 step process:


    1. Enrol in the General Boat Licence Safety and Training Course
    2. Study the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook. Request a free electronic copy here
    3. Check your progress by completing our easy online assessments
    4. Attend a General Boat Safety and Training Course. For dates click here
    5. Undertake and successfully complete the course written assessment

    On successful completion of the course a Certificate of Course Completion is issued which candidates then present to NSW Maritime for the issue of a General Boat Licence. No further examination is required provided the certificate is presented to NSW Maritime within 12 months of the course being completed.

    Boat Licence Enrolment

    nsw maritime pwc licence

    A Personal Water Craft (PWC) Licence is required by all persons who wish to drive a PWC regardless of the speed at which it is driven. To obtain a PWC is a similar process to the General Boat Licence however an important criteria is that you must already possess a General Boat Licence or have successfully completed the General Boat Licence course.

    PWC Enrolment

    Enrolment for the General Boat Licence and PWC Licence courses can be made at any time. We encourage participants to enrol at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of a course. This allows for the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook to be forwarded either electronically or by regular mail. Access is also made available to our online assessments and the feedback we provide assists in ensuring that study is conducted in the appropriate areas.

    marine radio licence

    In accordance with Australian Communications Authority (ACA) regulations if you operate Marine VHF Radio equipment on your vessel then you must be in possession of a Certificate of Proficiency permitting you to operate such equipment. The Office of Maritime Communications is responsible for the management of all functions associated with marine radio examinations and certification services in Australia.

    To obtain a Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) a candidate will be required to:

    1. Demonstrate a practical knowledge of GMDSS sub-systems and equipment which is appropriate to vessels operating in Australian waters on which a radio installation is not compulsory under international agreements. Specifically, MF/HF and VHF radiotelephony equipment with digital selective calling (DSC) facilities, and emergency position indicating radio beacons of the 406 MHz type
    2. Demonstrate an ability to use MF/HF and VHF radiotelephony and digital selective calling (DSC) operating procedures, particularly those relating to distress, urgency and safety
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of simple maintenance practices required to keep the marine radio equipment specified in (1) in good working order, including the repair of minor faults
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the regulations applicable to ship stations equipped with radiotelephony and digital selective calling facilities
    5. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Australian marine search and rescue system

    The Marine Radio Course can be undertaken at any time through our online learning and assessments. A written examination, set by the OMC, is then undertaken and upon successful completion of the examination a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) is issued.

    The Marine Radio Licence course involves elements of self study and the total cost is $199.00. This includes the costs for a hard copy of the Marine Radio Operators Handbook ($34.00 + $6.00 postage) and examination fee ($48.20) which we purchase on your behalf from the OMC.

    To download a free .pdf copy of the Marine Radio Operators Handbook Click Here

    To enrol and pay the $199.00 enrolment fee through our secure PayPal site or Credit Card please enrol below or if you have any questions please email us at All Hands on Deck Maritime Training

    Marine Radio Enrolment

    deck hand training (gph)

    If you have a love of boats and the sea and are interested in a career working on commercial vessels then why not inquire about our Deck Hand Training course. It is an industry requirement that all crew working on commercial vessels such as tug boats, ferries, whale watch boats, dolphin watch boats, charter vessels, dredgers, pilot vessels, work boats etc must undertake formal training through a registered training organisation. The training is designed to prepare the crew to respond to any emergency that may occur on board the vessel such as collision, grounding, person overboard or fire.This training involves learning about seamanship, anchoring, mooring, knots and splicing, workplace oh&s, fire fighting, survival at sea and much more......... Click here for more details

    Contact Us

    Please contact us via the following methods:
    P: 0434 803 687
    E: All Hands on Deck Maritime Training
    Post: All Hands on Deck Maritime Training
    P.O. Box 1044 Newcastle 2300 NSW

    Free Information Pack

    If you would like to receive an information pack regarding any of our Maritime Training courses please complete the form below:

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