Boat Licence Age 2026: From 12 in NSW, 14 in WA, 16 in Qld

What age can you get a boat licence in each state?

State	Youngest age	Jet ski
NSW	12	12, with a boat licence first
Victoria	Over 12 (restricted)	16
Queensland	16	16
WA	14	Not listed
Tasmania	12 (provisional)	Not listed

Queensland’s minimum of 16 covers both the boat and the PWC licence. WA and Tasmania don’t give a separate age for jet skis on the pages cited here.

Junior boat licence rules in NSW

If you’re 12 to 15, your NSW boat or PWC licence comes with limits. You must not:

go faster than 20 knots (about 37 km/h)
take part in a race, display, regatta or exhibition
drive a boat at 10 knots or more unless someone 16 or older with a boat or PWC licence is on board
drive a PWC at 10 knots or more unless someone 16 or older with a PWC licence is on it

Transport for NSW words the night and towing limits two ways. Its licence page says under-16s must not drive between sunset and sunrise, or while towing anyone. Its Boating Handbook says a boat may still be driven at night under 10 knots, and limits towing to under 10 knots, while a PWC must not be ridden at night at all. If you’re under 16, check with Transport for NSW before you drive at night or tow anyone.

Applying under 16 also needs a parent or guardian: they come with you, show their own ID and give written consent. Under-16s pay half the licence fee.

NSW licence fees →

Victoria’s restricted marine licence

A restricted licence is for people over 12 and under 16. You may only drive:

in daylight, between sunrise and sunset
at less than 10 knots
when you aren’t towing a person, another vessel or an object

You can’t get a PWC endorsement on a restricted licence. At 16 it becomes a full marine licence automatically.

The PWC endorsement at 16 →

Tasmania’s provisional licence

Tasmania’s provisional licence is for ages 12 to 17, and you get it the same way as a full licence. While you hold it you must:

have a responsible adult with you
not take charge of a motor boat at night
not go faster than 20 knots
not tow a skier

Your full licence starts from your 17th birthday, once you pay the renewal notice MAST sends you.

Getting a Tasmanian licence →

WA and Queensland

WA issues the RST from age 14. Until you turn 16 you may only skipper a boat in daylight and at less than 8 knots, and anyone under 18 needs a letter of consent from a parent or guardian to sit the assessment.

Queensland has no junior licence: you must be 16. Anyone without a licence can drive in Queensland with a supervisor on board who holds a valid marine licence and can take control at once, but not while towing someone.

How the RST works →

Sources: Transport for NSW · Safe Transport Victoria · MAST and 5 more. Checked October 2026.