Licensing and registration

Anyone operating a powered recreational vessel on Victorian waters requires a marine licence. Licences are administered by Vic Roads – this includes sailing boats, electric foils (e‑foils) and paddle craft with a motor.

Jet ski riders require a marine licence with personal watercraft (PWC) endorsement.

Interstate licence holders

A person who holds an interstate marine licence, restricted marine licence, or PWC endorsed marine licence may operate the equivalent vessel in Victoria for a period of three months. If the visitor’s stay extends beyond three months or the visitor does not have an equivalent interstate marine licence for the vessel they wish to operate, a Victorian marine licence must be obtained.

Note: Interstate visitors are required to observe Victorian regulations including speed restrictions and the wearing of lifejackets at certain times. An exemption applies for visiting vessels for the carriage of safety equipment.

If you are an interstate marine licence holder but have resided in Victoria for more than three months, you must convert your interstate marine licence to a Victorian marine licence. If you have evidence of your equivalent interstate marine licence, you will be exempt from sitting the test run by VicRoads or an accredited training provider.

To convert your marine licence, please bring your existing interstate marine licence and appropriate evidence of identity, to a VicRoads customer service centre (fees apply).

Hire and drive vessel

A hire and drive vessel means a vessel (other than a recreational vessel) that is intended to be let for hire and includes vessels hired on a trailer and operated away from the place of hire, including those only capable of a speed less than 10 knots.

The Marine Safety Act requires all masters to hold a marine licence (and any relevant endorsement) to operate a hire and drive vessel capable of a speed greater than 10 knots (18km/h).

A PWC endorsement is required to operate a hired PWC. The hire boat owner will brief clients on the operating requirements of the vessel being hired. All operators, masters and passengers must comply with lifejacket requirements.

Our hiring a charter vessel page provides advice about what to ask before booking a charter to ensure the vessel is safe, operating legally and the crew is qualified.

Commercial exemptions

A person who holds a valid Certificate of Competency, that is not subject to any conditions relating to the person’s health or fitness, is exempt from the requirement to hold a marine licence. However, if the person wishes to operate a personal watercraft they will need to obtain a marine licence and a PWC endorsement.

The definition of a valid Certificate of Competency is as follows:

• Coxswain Grade 2 NC
• Coxswain Grade 1 NC
• Master (Inland waters); Master <24m NC
• Master <35m NC
• Mate <80m NC
• Master <80m NC
• A notice in writing given to a person by the Safety Director declaring that the person’s qualification, certificate or experience is equivalent to a qualification or certificate referred to above.

Other approved qualifications

Below is a list of certificates of competency issued by Australian maritime regulatory authorities. The holders of these certificates are not required to sit the VicRoads marine licence test.

• Coxswain
• Master Class 5
• Master Class 4
• Mate Class 4
• Master Class 3
• 2nd Mate Class 2
• 2nd Mate Class 1
• Chief Mate Class 2
• Chief Mate Class 1
• Boatman / Motor Boatman
• Mate – Steamship
• Full Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate
• Small Warfare Watchkeeping Certificate
• Skipper Grades 1 to 3 (RAN Certificate).

Licences are only issued for a period for 12 months or five years.

Marine licence

You can either take a course or study by yourself to get your licence.

PWC endorsed licence

Riders of personal watercraft (PWCs), such as jet skis, must obtain an endorsement on their licence in order to operate this type of vessel. You must be 16 or above to apply for this endorsement.

A PWC endorsement may not be issued as a standalone licence. If an endorsement is required, a marine licence must first be obtained.

Restricted

A restricted licence is required by any person over the age of 12, but under the age of 16, who is operating a powered recreational vessel.

Holders of a restricted marine licence may act as master of a recreational vessel only if:

1. operating during daylight hours between sunrise and sunset;
2. operating at speeds of less than 10 knots; and
3. not operating a vessel that is towing a person, another vessel or object.

You cannot get a PWC endorsement on a restricted licence. Once a restricted master turns 16 years old, the restricted marine licence automatically becomes a marine licence.

To help you prepare, take these practice tests here – marine licence and PWC endorsement practise tests.

Applicants can find existing accredited training providers here.

Fees

We do not regulate the fees charged by accredited training providers.

Applicants are encouraged to research the fees charged by the various providers, and to be clear about what is covered by those fees.

Applicants are also encouraged to check the provider’s cancellation and refund policy before booking a course.

Course feedback

All currently accredited training courses meet the requirements of the Marine Licence Training Standards. The standards also summarise other requirements that a training provider will need to meet to attain training course approval.

To provide feedback on an accredited training course please contact us.

If you need an interpreter for the marine license or PWC endorsement course, talk to your accredited training provider.

If you’re taking the tests at VicRoads and need an interpreter in any language or help with hearing impairment, call 13 11 71.

If you have poor vision, you need to get an eyesight certificate from a qualified eye doctor, medical practitioner, occupational therapist, or eye specialist to apply for a licence.

If you have a disability or medical condition that affects your ability to operate a vessel, contact VicRoads for additional information or testing requirements. Also, inform VicRoads if you develop a new medical condition that might affect your ability to operate a vessel.

For more details about getting a marine license, call VicRoads on 13 11 71.

If you have questions about competency certificate exemptions, contact ST Vic at 1800 223 022.

Any boat with an engine capable of being used for propulsion, including Electric foils (e‑foils), in Victorian waters must be in a seaworthy condition and registered with VicRoads every 12 months. The trailer used to tow your vessel will need to be registered separately.

Rescue Boats are exempt from the registration fee, but must have registration renewed annually.

Information on vessel registration fees is available from VicRoads.

The owner of a registered recreational vessel must ensure the registration label for that vessel, issued by VicRoads on behalf of Safe Transport Victoria is fixed and remains fixed in an obvious position on the outside or upper part of the vessel.

The ID Mark must be displayed on both sides fwd of midships on the hull and must be 150mm min height, with lettering of a contrasting colour.

PWC’s can be 100mm in height, but also must be in contrasting colours to the hull.

Electronic foil (e-foils) must display registration label with contrasting colour and minimum 80mm height.

Boat registration in Victoria does not include any insurance cover. We recommend that boat owners and operators consider taking out cover with an insurance provider.

Kayaks and canoes powered by an electric motor with a maximum output of 40 lbs thrust (1 horsepower or 750 watts) and operating at no more than 5 knots are exempt from registration and licensing requirements. To qualify for this exemption, vessels must meet the following design criteria:

• Tapered Design: The vessel must be tapered at both ends, ensuring a streamlined shape.
• No Transom: The vessel cannot have a fixed or removable transom, distinguishing it from other small powered craft.

Examples of what is considered a kayak:

Examples of what is NOT considered a kayak:

You can view the Government Gazette which features the exemption notice by clicking here.

Conditions for Exemption

Speed Restriction:
These vessels must not exceed a speed of 5 knots, equivalent to approximately 9.26 km/h, similar to a brisk walking pace.

Mandatory Safety Equipment:
Operators must carry the required safety equipment based on the type of waters they are navigating:

• Inland Waters:
  • A bailer (if no electric or manual bilge pumping system is installed)
  • A bilge pump for non-airtight bilge or underfloor compartments
  • An alternative means of propulsion (such as a paddle or fitted pedal mechanism)
  • A waterproof buoyant torch
  • Either:
    • A mobile phone in a waterproof pouch
    • A personal locator beacon (PLB)

• Enclosed Waters and Coastal Waters within 2 Nautical Miles of Shore:
  • As per inland waters, plus one of the following:
    • An emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or a personal locator beacon (PLB)
    • A marine radio
    • Two hand-held orange smoke signals
    • Two hand-held red distress flares

• Coastal Waters More than 2 Nautical Miles from Shore
  • As per inland waters, plus:
    • Two red flares, two orange smoke signals, and one rocket parachute flare
    • A compass
    • A marine radio
    • A registered emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
    • A waterproof buoyant torch

Lifejacket Regulations:
All occupants must wear the appropriate lifejackets whenever the vessel is underway:

• Inland Waters: Level 50, Level 50S, or Level 100+ lifejackets
• Enclosed and Coastal Waters: Level 100+ lifejackets

Waterway Regulations:
Operators must follow state and local waterway rules, including speed and distance requirements, restricted zones, and waterway signage. Full details are available in the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules (VOZR) at Safe Transport Victoria.

For further information on safe boating practices, including detailed diagrams and examples of compliant vessels, refer to the Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook.

Registration is not proof of ownership. There is no register of encumbered vehicles for vessels in Victoria.

The Australian Builders Plate (ABP) was developed through a joint initiative between government and industry.

It aims to enhance recreational boat user safety by clearly stating key vessel operational capabilities in a plate displayed in an obvious location on the vessel.

The plate must be fitted to new vessels, unless exempted, when they are first sold or offered for sale.

It values that have been determined by a competent person, calculated to appropriate standards.

The ABP will include a statement of level of basic floatation for boats up to 6m in length. Boats with level floatation will provide a much safer platform should they become swamped or capsized.

HIN’s are not a mandatory item when registering your vessel, however you are required to supply one if it has been affixed. 

There are limited boat code agents affixing HIN’s in Victoria. Contact ST Vic for more information if you believe you would like to have HIN affixed to your vessel. 

Lifejackets must be worn according to the manufacturer’s instructions –  they provide little safety benefit if they’re not worn properly. This means they must be zipped, clipped, and securely fastened to comply with Marine Safety Regulations.

The following apply for lifejacket use in Victoria:

• All children under 12 years old must wear a prescribed lifejacket when in an open area of a boat that is underway. This rule also applies to paddleboards and kayaks.
• If an adult is boating alone with children under 12, they are considered to be boating solo and must follow the increased safety measures.
• Lifejackets are mandatory during times of heightened risk on vessels up to 12m in length.
• Only lifejackets that meet Australian standards can be worn by July 2028. AS1512 will no longer be accepted from 1 July 2028.
• Lifejackets type 1,2 & 3 are now replaced by Level 100, 50 and 50s.

Note: Lifejackets will continue to be required to be worn on vessels up to and including 4.8m in length and in circumstances of heightened risk on vessels up to and including 12m in length.

Powered vessels are required to carry flares on board, in both enclosed and coastal waters.

There is an alternative for vessels operating on enclosed waters to carry one of the following in place of flares:

• a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), or
• Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), or
• VHF marine radio with a minimum 25-watt output.

27MHz radios no longer meet the definition of marine radios in relation to the requirement to carry a marine radio on coastal waters.

Marine radios must be installed VHF radios. Handheld radios are not accepted on coastal waters or as alternatives to flares on enclosed waters. See the regulations for full specifications.

VHF radios have a longer range and are more reliable in poor conditions. They are supported by Marine Radio Victoria’s extensive VHF Coastal network, which offers 24/7 distress monitoring, weather forecasts, safety alerts, and radio checks.

Navigation lights must be positioned so their visibility angles comply with the Collision Regulations.

A infringement notice is now handed out for the incorrect installation of navigation lights, even during daylight hours.

Marine licences can be issued and renewed for either one year or five years.

Refuelling a boat while people are on board is dangerous because of the risk of fire or explosion.

It is illegal to refuel or restart a vessel with passengers on board anywhere and penalties can be issued, however exceptions apply where it is impractical or impossible to disembark passengers, such as on a beach, riverbank, or at sea.

Electric foils (e‑foils) powered by an electric motor are classed as a powerboat and are subject to the Marine Safety Act 2010 and Marine Safety Regulations 2023.

To operate an E-Foil you must hold a Marine Licence and the E-Foil must be registered as a powerboat with VicRoads.

There are approved exemptions to certain safety equipment requirements that typically apply to power craft, allowing for equipment more appropriate to the design and operation of e‑foils. See full exemption notice.

E‑foils must meet the following operational and safety conditions:

Operate e-foil between sunrise and sunset only

Mandatory Safety Equipment:

All waters

• Waterproof torch
• sound device (whistle)
• mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or personal locator beacon (PLB)

Enclosed or coastal waters more than 400m from the coast

As per all waters, plus the following.

• mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or an emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or a PLB.
• two red hand-held distress flares or two orange hand-held smoke signals, or one of each.

Lifejacket Regulations:
All occupants must wear the appropriate lifejackets whenever the vessel is underway:

• Inland Waters: Class 1, 2 or 3 / Level 50, Level 50S, or Level 100+ lifejackets
• Enclosed and Coastal Waters: Class 1/ Level 100+ lifejackets

Waterway Regulations:
Operators must follow state and local waterway rules, including speed and distance requirements, restricted zones, irregular riding rules, and waterway signage. Full details are available in the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules (VOZR) at Safe Transport Victoria.

Example of E-Foil: