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Australia · Boat licence

How to get a boat licence in Tasmania

You do a BoatSafe Practical Tuition course with a MAST-approved provider, sit the licence test with them, and MAST then issues your licence. A boat licence in Tasmania, called a motor boat licence, is needed for any vessel with a motor of 4 hp or more, except a hire and drive vessel.

  • 4 horsepowerMotor size that needs a licence
  • 4 to 5 hoursUsual BoatSafe course length
  • 3 yearsLicence period, all ending together
Find a MAST-approved provider

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

How do you get a boat licence in Tasmania?

  1. Get the Tasmanian Safe Boating Handbook and study it.
  2. Book a BoatSafe Practical Tuition course with an approved provider. It covers theory and practical training and takes around 4 to 5 hours.
  3. Sit the licence test with the provider.
  4. Once the provider is confident you’ve met the competencies, including the practical ones, MAST issues the licence. Service Tasmania checks your identity and takes the fee.

Ages 12 to 17 get a provisional licence the same way, with limits until 17.

Provisional licence limits →How the fee is worked out →

MAST-approved training providers

ProviderArea
BoatbizGreater Hobart and southern Tasmania
Sea Rescue TasSouthern Tasmania
Strongseas MarineEast coast and southern Tasmania
Royal Yacht Club of TasmaniaHobart
Derwent Sailing SquadronHobart
Boat Licences TasmaniaNorth west and north
Wynyard Yacht ClubWynyard
Tamar Yacht ClubLaunceston
Tamar Sea RescueBeauty Point
AquaCraft Boat & JetSki LicencesNorth and north east
David’s Boat LicensingNorthern Tasmania
Flinders Island DiveFlinders Island

Boatbiz, Boat Licences Tasmania, AquaCraft and David’s Boat Licensing also run PWC courses.

Hire boats and carrying your licence

You can drive a hire and drive vessel that can’t exceed 8 knots without a licence, as long as you get enough training to drive it safely. These vessels should carry a hire and drive certificate.

You don’t have to carry your licence on the water, but MAST’s by-laws say you must produce it within 14 days if asked. Plastic cards aren’t issued automatically any more, and a motor boat licence is for recreational boating only.

Coming from another state

You can use an interstate motor boat licence in Tasmania for up to 3 months. After that, apply with the Application for Mutual Recognition of a Motor Boat Licence form and a copy of your licence, which works if it hasn’t been expired for more than 6 years. To ride a PWC, your interstate licence must be PWC-endorsed.

Renewing a Tasmanian licence →
Sources: MAST and 4 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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