Get Your Victorian Boat & PWC Licence the Smart Way
A completely free, professional online course you can complete at your own pace.
When you're ready, take the optional online licence test for just $135.
Start Free Course NOWFree Online Course
A Full, High-Quality Boat Licence Course — 100% Free
- Learn through clear videos, animations, activities, real-world scenarios, and quick knowledge checks
- No rushed classes. No fixed schedules. No pressure
- Start now and learn at your own pace
- Option to take the Victorian Marine Licence & PWC Endorsement online with us for just $135
Optional Online Licence Test — Only $135
When you're ready, complete your Victorian Boat & PWC Licence Test ONLINE with one of our friendly assessors.
- Low cost, no fuss, fully accredited online test
- No need to pre-book weeks in advance
- Choose a time that suits you — even evenings
- Supportive assessors who guide you through the process
- Receive your Certificate to take to VicRoads for your licence
No hassle. No pressure. No wasted time.
How it Works
01
Start the free online course
No signup fees. No time limits. No catch. Master everything you need to know at your own pace.
02
Book your online test (optional)
When you're ready, book your online test for just $135. Choose a time that suits you and we'll email all the details.
03
Take the online test
Complete your test online using any computer or tablet AND a smartphone. Pass, and we'll post your certificate the same day.
04
Take your Certificate to VicRoads
Present your Certificate to obtain your licence and (optional) PWC endorsement. That's it — you're ready to go boating!
What You'll Learn
Understand the legal framework of boating in Victoria, including:
- Types of Victorian marine licences and who needs them
- How to obtain or upgrade your licence
- Interstate boating rules
- Vessel registration and exempt vessels
- The master’s responsibilities for vessel, passengers, and the environment
- Local laws, hoon behaviour, alcohol and drug rules
- Harbour Master rules and restricted zones
Know exactly what equipment you must carry — and how to use it:
- Safety equipment requirements for each waterway type
- Lifejackets: correct types, fit, and when they must be worn
- Fire equipment, bailing gear, buckets, life rings and torches
- EPIRBs, flares, first aid kits and enhanced safety compliance
- How to choose, store, service, and deploy safety equipment
- Video demonstrations and interactive identification activities
Learn how to prepare safely before every trip:
- Weather interpretation (wind, waves, warnings)
- BOM MetEye and how to check conditions in your area
- Advising others of your plans
- Pre-start checks for your boat and engine
- Fuel management and safe refuelling
- Launching and retrieving your boat
- Essential maintenance checks
Operate safely in all conditions with confidence:
- Heightened risk situations and when lifejackets must be worn
- Load, stability and passenger safety
- Managing thunderstorms and rough weather
- Distances-off rules
- Navigating at night or in restricted visibility
- Operating near large vessels, commercial craft and aquaculture zones
- Environmental care and wildlife protection
- Alcohol and drug laws on the water
Master the rules that keep Victorian waterways safe:
- Buoyage systems (IALA A), day marks and lights
- Boating zone markers and what each symbol means
- COLREGS: safe speed, proper lookout, crossing/overtaking/meeting situations
- Navigation lights and collision avoidance
- Sound signals and day shapes
- Harbour Master’s instructions
- Interactive buoyage and lights identification challenges
Master the rules that keep Victorian waterways safe:
- Buoyage systems (IALA A), day marks and lights
- Boating zone markers and what each symbol means
- COLREGS: safe speed, proper lookout, crossing/overtaking/meeting situations
- Navigation lights and collision avoidance
- Sound signals and day shapes
- Harbour Master’s instructions
- Interactive buoyage and lights identification challenges
Learn the fundamentals of controlling your vessel safely:
- Slow-speed manoeuvring
- High-speed handling
- Anchoring and picking up a mooring
- Launching and retrieving a trailer boat (optional demonstration)
- Towed water sports requirements and responsibilities
Prepare thoroughly for the official test:
- Practice questions that mirror the real exam
- Navigation light and buoyage flashcards
- Speed/distance rules exercises
- A final exam preparation module to ensure readiness
Complete this section if you want to operate a Jet Ski in Victoria:
- Registration and licensing requirements
- “Ride Right” rules
- Speed and distance limits for PWCs
- Hoon offences, noise rules, and safe conduct
- Capsizing, recovery and PWC emergency procedures
- Practical maintenance tips for PWC owners
Meet Your Instructor
Tim Foster is the Principal Instructor and founder of Blue Water Sailing School. He brings decades of real-world boating and sailing experience to this course — not just theory, but practical knowledge earned on the water.
Experience You Can Trust:
- ✓ Over 40 years of boating and sailing in Australian and international waters
- ✓ Principal of Blue Water Sailing School, based in Melbourne
- ✓ Has trained hundreds of students in safe boating and navigation
- ✓ Author of 'The Australian Navigation Handbook'
- ✓ RYA Yachtmaster Instructor with over 13,000 logged sea miles
Tim is known for a clear, practical teaching style that makes complex navigation rules easy to understand. He created this free Boat Licence Course to give Victorians an easier, more flexible pathway to safe boating — without the pressure or cost of traditional providers.
Accredited Training Provider
Blue Water Sailing School is a Third Party Provider for Go Workplace Training Pty Ltd (RTO Registration Code 22464). Go Workplace Training is an established Registered Training Organisation providing nationally recognised training and licensing across Australia. Go Workplace Training is an accredited Marine Licence and endorsements training and assessments provider. Safe Transport Victoria has accredited Go Workplace Training to deliver the Marine Licence and Personal Watercraft (PWC) endorsement course online. Blue Water Sailing School has partnered with Go Workplace Training to develop, host, market and deliver the online version of this Marine Licence course.
Victoria Boat Licence Requirements
Your complete guide to what's required to obtain a Victorian Boat Licence and PWC Endorsement.
Who Needs a Boat Licence in Victoria?
You must have a current Victorian Marine Licence to operate any powered recreational vessel on Victorian waters.
Good news: Getting licensed is straightforward, affordable, and our training course is completely free. You can complete everything online at your own pace.
Minimum Age Requirements
- 12–15 years: Restricted Marine Licence
- 16+ years: Full Marine Licence
- Jet Ski / PWC Endorsement: Minimum age 16
How to Get Your Victorian Marine Licence
The path to your licence is simple. Here's exactly what you need to do:
- Complete an approved training course (ours is free)
- Pass the Boat and/or PWC knowledge test online with us
- Receive your Certificate of Competency
- Take the Certificate to VicRoads within 12 months to issue your licence
Identification Requirements
When you visit VicRoads to collect your licence card, you'll need to present acceptable identification. Essential documents include your driver's licence, passport, or birth certificate. Check the VicRoads website for the complete list of acceptable documents.
PWC (Jet Ski) Endorsement Requirements
Want to operate a Jet Ski in Victoria? You'll need a PWC endorsement on your Marine Licence. Here's what's required:
- Already hold (or be eligible to hold) a Marine Licence
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Complete the PWC component of the course
- Pass the additional PWC test (included in our $135 option)
You can add your PWC endorsement at the same time as getting your Marine Licence, or come back and add it later.
Victorian Boat Licence Validity & Renewal
Marine licences are valid for 5 years and must be renewed through VicRoads. There is no additional course or test required at renewal time — it's a simple administrative renewal.
Ready to get started? Take our free course and you could be licensed this week.
Start Your Free Course NowFrequently Asked Questions
Got questions about getting your Victorian Boat Licence? We've got answers.
Is the Victorian Boat Licence course really free?
Yes, absolutely! The entire training course is 100% free with no signup fees, no time limits, and no hidden costs. You only pay if you choose to take the optional online test with us ($135).
How much does the Victorian Boat Licence test cost?
Our online test is just $135 for both Boat Licence and PWC Endorsement. This includes your Certificate of Competency which you take to VicRoads to receive your licence card.
How long does the online boat licence course take?
Most people complete the course in about 4 hours. However, there are no time limits — you can work through the material at your own pace, taking as long as you need. Many students spread it over a couple of evenings or complete it in a single day.
Do I need to book the test before starting the course?
No. Start the free course whenever you like and work through it at your own pace. When you feel confident and ready, then book your online test. Most students are ready within a day or two of starting the course.
Is the test hard?
The test is comprehensive and requires you to know details like buoyage systems, navigation rules, and safety procedures. However, if you watch the videos, complete the exercises and quizzes throughout the course, you'll be well prepared. Our course is specifically designed to ensure you have the knowledge and confidence to pass.
Can I fail the online test?
Yes, it is possible to fail if you haven't adequately prepared. However, if you do need to resit the test, it's available for a discounted rate of just $55. We recommend thoroughly completing all course modules and practice quizzes before attempting the test.
Do you offer Jet Ski (PWC) endorsement?
Yes! Our $135 online test includes both your Boat Licence and PWC Endorsement. The course covers all the PWC-specific material you need, and you can complete both at once or add the PWC endorsement later.
Is this course recognised by VicRoads?
YYes, absolutely. Blue Water Sailing School is a Third Party Provider for Go Workplace Training Pty Ltd (RTO Registration Code 22464). Safe Transport Victoria (STV) accredits training providers to deliver training and assessment that qualifies applicants for a recreational Marine Licence and Personal Watercraft (PWC) endorsement. STV has accredited Go Workplace Training to deliver the Marine Licence and Personal Watercraft (PWC) endorsement course online. Blue Water Sailing School has partnered with Go Workplace Training to develop, host, market and deliver the online version of this Marine Licence course.
Do I need to be a certain age to get a boat licence?
Yes. You need to be at least 12 years old for a Restricted Marine Licence (ages 12-15) or 16 years old for a Full Marine Licence. The PWC Endorsement also requires a minimum age of 16.
Can I get my boat licence online in Victoria?
Yes! You can complete the entire course online, and take your test online with one of our accredited assessors. After passing, you simply take your Certificate of Competency to any VicRoads office to receive your licence card.
Is my Victorian boat licence valid in other states?
Yes. Your Victorian Marine Licence is recognised throughout Australia under national reciprocal licensing arrangements. You can operate recreational vessels in other states, though it's always wise to familiarize yourself with any specific local rules.
How long is a Victorian boat licence valid for?
Your Victorian Marine Licence is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. When it's time to renew, you simply visit VicRoads — there's no need to retake the course or test. It's a straightforward administrative renewal.
