Apply for a boat licence

You must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a boat operator's licence.

Children aged between 12 and 16 may apply for a special permit to operate a recreational vessel.

Before you begin

Evidence of identity

You need to provide documents showing evidence of age and identity in order to apply.

Medical conditions

You must disclose any medical conditions including disability and the need to wear glasses or contact lenses. The eyesight and medical standards for a boat operator's licence are the same as for a motor vehicle driver's licence.

To disclose a medical condition, you must fill out your details and get your doctor or optometrist to complete and sign the medical and eyesight certificate (245.3 KB PDF) to operate a recreational vessel.

How to apply

Book a theory exam

• Tests can be taken at any Service SA centre except Mount Barker, Prospect and Regency Park.
• Pay the $52 fee to do the boat operator's licence theory test. Alternatively, this can be paid when you attend in person at the Service SA centre.

Prepare for the theory exam

Take the theory exam

• evidence of identity that verifies your full name, date of birth, signature, current SA residential address and evidence of change of name if you have changed your name or your name is different from the documents presented
• a completed application for a boat operator's licence (473.2 KB PDF)
• a completed medical and eyesight certificate (245.3 KB PDF) if you have disclosed a medical condition.

At the Service SA centre you'll:

• complete the theory test and if successful:
  • pay the boat operator's licence fee of $49
  • be issued your boat licence on the spot.

  Successful exam results are valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If you have an appropriate qualification or current interstate boat licence you can present this instead of completing the boat theory test.

  Boat licence test exemptions

  You don't need to sit a boat licence theory exam if you have any one of the following:

  • an interstate licence to operate a motorboat, which is current or expired less than six months ago or a Western Australian (WA) Recreational Skippers Ticket.
  • a commercial certificate of competency such as a coxswain or master certificate issued by a state or territory authority or the Australian Maritime Safety Authority current or expired less than 6 months ago
  • undertaken an approved course and received one of the following certificates:
    • Basic Seamanship Certificate issued by the Australian Coastguard
    • Certificate of Completion of Seamanship course issued by the South Australian Sea Rescue Squadron
    • Certificate of Completion - Start Power Boating issued by organisations affiliated with Australian Sailing
    • Certificate of Completion - Powerboat Handling issued by organisations affiliated with Australian Sailing
    • Certificate of Competency issued by the Australian Cruise Academy College on Murray
    • a certificate showing completion of a South Australian boating licence course provided by the South Australian Boating Licence Course, which is a registered training organisation
    • a certificate of Satisfactory Course Completion for SA Recreational Boat Operators Licence Course provided by ABC - Australian Boating College South Australian Division.
    • a certificate showing completion of the Boating Safety Education Course provided by Surf Life Saving South Australia.

    Only the organisations listed above provide a government-approved training program and issue certificates that are accepted in lieu of the theory exam. The government approves the training module content only - no assessment is made of the conduct, fees and charges of training providers.

    If you have any doubts about a private boating licence course, contact the provider and find out whether the training program is approved and what kind of certificate will be issued on completion.