Jet ski licence by state: which licence, what age, which rules

You must hold a General Boat Licence first, then pass the PWC knowledge test to upgrade to a PWC licence (no extra practical evidence; two passport photos and PWC application form).

Licence + Level 50S lifejacket for everyone at all times. Keep 60 m from people in the water, swimming-area boundaries and dive flags; at 6 knots+ keep 30 m from other vessels, structures and the shore. No 'irregular driving' (circles, weaving, jumping wash/waves) within 200 m of shore in PWC restriction zones (e.g. Botany Bay, Port Hacking, Georges River, Hawkesbury River, Broken Bay, Brisbane Water, Narrabeen Lakes, Nepean River) or anywhere within 200 m of shore where dwellings are visible within 200 m. PWC are banned on Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson incl. Parramatta River, Middle Harbour, Lane Cove River) and in other prohibited areas such as Cape Byron Marine Park.

To operate a PWC you must hold both a recreational marine driver licence and a personal watercraft licence (or have a licensed person aboard able to take immediate control; that supervisor must wear the kill-switch lanyard and no other passengers may be carried). Towing from a PWC needs a licensed operator and an observer aged 13+.

RMDL + PWC licence; PWC must be registered. Max 6 knots within 60 m of people in the water, anchored/moored boats, structures, ramps, jetties, pontoons, bathing reserve boundaries and the shore (shore exception in waterways under 120 m wide when transiting in a straight line mid-channel, or when towing). Keep 30 m from other moving vessels or slow below 10 knots. In coastal waters, freestyling/wave jumping only beyond 200 m from shore where homes are within 100 m of the shoreline. Everyone on board must wear a Level 50 lifejacket (50S allowed in smooth waters); outside smooth waters also flares, V sheet and (more than 2 nm out) EPIRB/PLB; nav lights at night. Children ride behind the driver; one person per seat regardless of age.

Jet ski riders need a marine licence with a PWC endorsement; must be 16 or older to apply; the endorsement can't be standalone and can't be added to a restricted licence. Carry the licence when riding.

Marine licence with PWC endorsement (16+); everyone on board or towed wears a lifejacket (Level 50/50S recommended); carry a waterproof buoyant torch; nav lights at night. 5-knot limit within 200 m of the water's edge on enclosed and coastal waters (500 m between Martha Point and Point Nepean), within 50 m of a person or another vessel, within 100 m of a dive flag, within 50 m of wharves/jetties/ramps (except access lanes), and in anchorages. Towing from a PWC requires an observer on board. Local rules may differ.

No separate PWC licence – an RST is required to operate a PWC. Everyone on a PWC must wear a Level 50S+ lifejacket from launch to retrieval.

RST required (14+; 14–15 daylight only, max 8 knots); registration; Level 50S+ lifejacket worn by all at all times. Freestyling, wave and wake jumping prohibited in any speed-restricted area, within 30 m of another PWC and within 50 m of another vessel or person in the water; on the Swan and Canning Rivers freestyling only in the gazetted area downstream of the Narrows Bridge. General 8-knot limit unless posted: within 50 m of a moored vessel, person in the water, jetty/wharf or river bank/low-water mark, within 15 m of a vessel underway, in water under 3 m deep, in mooring areas and through bridge arches. Beyond 400 m: GPS EPIRB/PLB and flares; beyond 4 nm: marine radio.

The Boat Operator's Licence covers PWC (no separate endorsement); minimum age to operate a PWC is 16; Special Permit holders and unlicensed supervised persons may not operate a PWC.

Boat Operator's Licence and age 16+; Level 50/50S lifejacket worn at all times; a PWC may not be operated in unprotected waters (beyond 2 nm from the coast). General limit of 4 knots within 30 m of vessels affected by wash, within 50 m of people in the water, dive flags and small unpowered craft, within 100 m of ferry crossings, in mooring areas/boat havens, within 30 m of launching places – and for PWC within 200 m of the Adelaide metropolitan shoreline (Outer Harbor southern breakwater to Sellicks Beach) unless zoned otherwise, and in River Murray backwaters (except Lake Bonney).

PWC riders need a motor boat licence plus a PWC endorsement, obtained via a PWC practical training course and written test with an accredited provider.

Motor boat licence + PWC endorsement; PWC must be registered and display a safe operation sticker; PWC may only be operated from sunrise to sunset. Lifejacket worn by rider and passengers (no inflatables); fire extinguisher carried. All motor vessels: max 5 knots within 60 m of the shore, a wharf, jetty or another boat, within 120 m of a swimmer, diver or person wading, and in designated 5-knot areas. No freestyling (wake jumping, doughnuts) within 200 m of a swimmer, or within 200 m of the shore where a dwelling is within 100 m of the shoreline.

No PWC licence required. PWC must have an automatic engine cut-out with the safety lanyard attached to the rider.

No licence or registration. Automatic engine cut-out with lanyard attached to the operator; operator and passengers must wear an appropriate PFD; towing requires an observer on board. Specific PWC distance/speed rules were not found on the NT pages fetched – check harbourmaster's directions for local zones (e.g. Darwin Harbour).

PWC (jet skis, jet-powered surfboards) are excluded from the under-10-knot unlicensed rule; NCA policy encourages non-motorised use of Lake Burley Griffin and PWC are not a listed permit category – effectively PWC need specific approval. Water skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and parasailing are generally not permitted on Lake Burley Griffin.

PWC cannot use the unlicensed under-10-knot provision (Lakes Act s 28) and need Ministerial or NCA approval; towed water sports are generally not permitted on Lake Burley Griffin. Motor-powered vessels must give way to all non-powered vessels on Lake Burley Griffin. Speed limits are set by signs (Lakes Act s 20).