To operate a registered boat in Victoria, you need a marine licence. To use Personal Watercrafts (PWC) like jet-skis, your marine licence needs a PWC endorsement. You can get a marine and PWC licence by enrolling into a 4 hour marine course and taking a test at Technical Advanced Training (TAT)

You can get a marine licence if you:

• are at least 12 years old
• are at least 16 years old to get a Personal Watercraft Endorsement (PWC)

You’ll need to book for a:

• a marine licence knowledge test
• a Personal Watercraft (PWC) endorsement test (if you want to use a personal watercraft).

The marine licence knowledge test has 30 multiple choice questions and you’ll need to get at least 26 questions correct to pass.

The PWC endorsement test has 15 multiple choice questions and you’ll need to get at least 13 correct to pass. You can only get a PWC endorsement from when you’re 16 years old.

When you do your test at Technical Advanced Training (TAT), you’ll get results straight away and your certificate if you’ve passed.

You won’t need to take the marine knowledge test if you have: 

• an interstate or overseas marine licence that hasn’t expired more than five years
• a valid Certificate of Attainment for your marine licence from an accredited training provider(External link) that is not more than 12 months old
• a valid Certificate of Competency* - a list of valid Certificates of Competency is available at the Transport Safety Victoria website(External link)

* Your certificate doesn’t include PWC endorsements so you’ll still need to take the PWC endorsement test if you want to use a personal watercraft.

If  you have a valid certificate go to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre with: 

• your certificate from the accredited training provider
• a completed application for a licence or permit form.

A restricted marine licence is for anyone under 16 years old and means that you can't:

• operate a vessel between sunset and sunrise
• tow a person, another vessel or an object, or
• operate at a speed of 10 knots or more.

You won’t be able to get a PWC endorsement until you’re 16 years old or over.

You can apply for a restricted marine licence if you’re between 12 and 16 years old. 

When you’re 16:

• you’ll get a full marine licence using the same card
• you won’t have to follow the restrictions 
• you’ll be able to take the PWC (jet-ski) test if you want.

You only need a Victorian marine licence if you’re going to operate a vessel for more than three months. 

You’ll need to book for a licence changeover appointment to convert your interstate or overseas marine licence.

You can’t get a Victorian marine licence if your licence has been suspended, cancelled or disqualified.

To convert an interstate or overseas marine licence you need to:

• have a current marine licence
• (or expired less than five years ago)
• have a licence that isn’t suspended, cancelled, or disqualified
• meet basic medical and eyesight tests
• provide proof of your interstate/overseas licence 
• have documents in English or have an English translation.

You will also need to book an appointment to convert your marine licence. 

• your evidence of identity
• payment for your licence
• your interstate of overseas marine licence, and
• a completed licence or learner permit application form [PDF 118 Kb].

Any conditions on your interstate or overseas marine licence will be the same on your Victorian one.