In Queensland, all individuals aged 16 and older, and who wish to operate a vessel (boat or personal watercraft) with more than 4.5kW power, are required to get a marine licence.
The only time you can drive a boat without a licence is when you are supervised by a licenced person. Otherwise, you must obtain a boat licence before hitting the water.
What you need
One of the prerequisites to obtaining a boat licence in QLD is the BoatSafe course.
After completing the course, you’ll be given a statement of competency, which is required for the QLD boat licence application.
Note that he statement of competency is only valid for six months.
The other requirements include the following:
- completed marine licence application form
- Acceptable proof of identity
- Payment for licence fee of $112.85
How to get a QLD Boat Licence
To apply for a QLD boat licence, visit the nearest Transport and Monitoring Customer Service Centre near you.
Another option is to go to any QLD Government Service office that provides boat licensing services.
At the service centre you can submit all the requirements to start the processing of your licence.
You will receive a printed indicator receipt to confirm your boat driver licence or personal watercraft (PWC) licence on the same day as you apply. Afterwards, your licence card will be mailed to your home.
If you have a QLD driver licence, then you will receive a new one with the boat licence printed at the back. You can sign-up for e-reminders to get updates on the posting of your licence.
Validity of QLD Boat Licences
Unlike some other states in Australia, in Queensland, a boat driver licence has lifetime validity. This means you’ll never have to worry about renewing it.
You also don’t have to carry the licence with you all the time. As long as you have a valid proof of identity, any authorised person will be able to verify your licence online.
Should you lose or damage your licence card, you can apply for a boat licence verification certificate online for $7.20.
You can also apply for a replacement card at the same QGAP office or Transport and Monitoring Customer Service Centre where you got your first card.
Other Boat Driver Licences
If you have a boat licence issued by another state or territory in Australia, then you can legally operate a watercraft in Queensland as long as:
- You are 16 years of age or older
- The boat licence is still valid, and
- You operate within your interstate boat licence conditions
When the boat licence expires, you can either renew it at the same Australian state or apply for a QLD boat driver licence instead.
Meanwhile, an overseas boat licence can be used in Queensland if it’s included in the recognised overseas licence list.
If the licence is not in English, then it will have to be translated at an accredited translator by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
You must keep the boat licence translation with the original.
Should the overseas boat licence be deemed unrecognised by the Queensland Government, you’ll need to apply for a boat licence in QLD.
Boat Loans
With a boat licence in Queensland, you can do all types of recreational boat activities in the state.
As long as you have a well-functioning boat or personal watercraft, you can explore the great waters of QLD.
If you haven’t got one yet, then it’s time to apply for marine finance to be able to shop around for one that suits your needs.
We can help you with that. We can provide you with boat financing with competitive rates that will suit your financial status.
Call us today at 1300 889 669 or apply online to get the best rates for boat finance in QLD.
