Occasionally one of our student will present their ID and certificate at Service NSW and get a bit of a runaround

This article help you guide the guys at Service NSW so you can get your licence issued quickly and smoothly and get out of there.

There are two ways to get your boat licence issued at service NSW.

One way is to show proof of having completed the theory, test and practical experience - this is often signed off partially or fully by a training organisation's instructor - sometime a log book is presented to prove the practical component.

The other way is to present a recognised qualification and it is this avenue that we go down with our Start Powerboating certificate issued by Australian Sailing.

This qualification is recognised by Service NSW but occasionally some of their staff are not aware of how this approach works.

Generally you can politely ask that they check with their supervisor or team leader and they will explain.

Note: during a visit to Martime/Service NSW at 33 James Craig Road, Rozelle on 10 January 2024 we were given this advice. "Information has been sent to all Service NSW Centres on how to process the recognition of Australian Sailing Certificates for NSW boat licences. This information will be resent this month. In the meantime please have any Service NSW staff call the Service Centre in Rozelle for clarification and advice. They can find the number in the internal directory"

The Rozelle service centre is open Monday to Friday from 9 until 4pm - they close for a lunch break between 12:30 and 13:30

You can also show them this post and the information below which might jog their memory:

From the nsw.gov.au website https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/maritime-licences/boat-and-pwc-licences/get-practical-experience#toc-who-is-exempt-from-boating-experience

Who is exempt from boating experience?

Some licence applicants don’t need to provide evidence of practical boating experience.
You’re exempt from providing evidence of experience if you’re:

• Upgrading from a general boat to a PWC licence (as you already hold a general boat licence).

• Transferring a licence from interstate to NSW - provided your interstate licence is current or expired less than 5 years ago.

• Transferring commercial qualifications to a recreational licence – provided your commercial qualification is current or expired less than 5 years ago.

• Carrying recognised qualifications that satisfy requirements for a general boat driving licence. For example, certain Australian Sailing courses. 

And this pdf may also help: ServiceNSW Guidelines