Marine Information Bulletin—Temporary recognition of overseas boat licences

Some overseas boat licences held by international visitors will be temporarily recognised for use in Queensland. International visitors who intend to become residents must obtain an equivalent Queensland or interstate boat licence after three months of either arriving in Australia or obtaining their resident visa.

Recreational marine driver licence

Country Recreational marine licence  type Country code
Austria International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU Y EU
Canada Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card (after 1999) Ca
Canada Canadian Yachting Association (Advanced Cruising Standard) Ca
Canada Canadian Yachting Association (Basic Cruising Standard) Ca
Canada Canadian Yachting Association (Basic Power Commercial Endorsement) Ca
Canada Canadian Yachting Association (Basic Power Commercial Endorsement) Ca
Canada Canadian Yachting Association (Basic Powerboat Standard) Ca
Canada Canadian Yachting Association (Intermediate Cruising Standard) Ca
Canada Canadian Yachting Association (Intermediate Powerboat Standard) Ca
Canada International Sail and Power Association (Advanced Navigator Certificate) Ca
Canada International Sail and Power Association (Advanced Skipper Certificate) Ca
Canada International Sail and Power Association (Coastal Skipper Certificate) Ca
Canada International Sail and Power Association (Offshore Navigator (Celestial) Certificate) Ca
Canada International Sail and Power Association (Offshore Skipper Certificate) Ca
Canada International Sail and Power Association (Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate) Ca
Canada International Sail and Power Association (Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate) Ca
Canada International Yacht Training (International Bareboat Skipper [Sail or Power]) Must have completed all of International Crew Certificate + Watchkeeper + Bareboat Skipper Ca
China, Republic of (Hong Kong) Coxswain Grade 1 Certificate HK
China, Republic of (Hong Kong) Coxswain Grade 2 Certificate HK
China, Republic of (Hong Kong) Coxswain Grade 3 Certificate HK
China, Republic of (Hong Kong) Pleasure Vessel Operator (Grade I & 2 after 01/12/2006 HK
Croatia, Republic of Boat Leader's Licence of Competency Cr
Croatia, Republic of International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Czech Republic Certificate of Competence Yacht master (Prukaz Zpusobilosti K Vedenei Namorni Jachty) EU
Czech Republic International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Europe Certificate of Competence Helmsman's Overseas Certificate of Competence EU
Europe International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Europe International Certificate of Competency EU
Finland International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
France Capitaine 200 Fr
France Capitaine Yacht 200 Fr
France La Cart Mer Chef Du Quartier des Affaires Maritimes de Pete Fr
France Le Permis Mer Côtier Fr
France Permis de Conduire en Mer les Navires de Plaisance a Moteur Fr
France Permis de Conduire Les Bateaux de Plaisance a Moteur Fr
Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) Sportboot Fûhrerschein (German Sportsboat Operator) D
Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) Yachten - Fûhrerschein (German Yacht Operator) D
Holland (Netherlands) International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Ireland Irish Sailing Association Advanced Powerboat Certificate EU
Ireland Irish Sailing Association Dive Boat Coxswains Certificate EU
Ireland Irish Sailing Association National Powerboat Certificate EU
Ireland Irish Sailing Association Recreational Powerboat Certificate EU
Ireland Irish Sailing Association Safety Boat Certificate EU
Ireland ISA International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Israel Department of Small Craft - Small Craft Authorisation Certification Grade 20; 21; 30; 40; 50 and 60 IL
Italy Patente Di Abilitazione Al Comando Di Unita Da Diporto Skipper's Ticket up to 24m without shore limits (Ocean Yachtmaster Level) ITA
Italy Patente Di Abilitazione per le Imbarcazioni Da Diporto Translates as: Recreational Boat License/Permit/Qualification ITA
Japan Certificate of Competency as First Mate of the First Grade Ja
Lithuania International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Luxembourg International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Mauritius, Republic of Certificate of Competence The Helmsman's (Overseas) Certificate of Competence (Skipper) EU
Mauritius, Republic of MCA The Mediterranean Cruising Association Certificate of Competence UK
Mediterranean Cruising Association Certificate of Competence The Helmsman's (Overseas) Certificate of Competence (Skipper) EU
Mediterranean Cruising Association MCA The Mediterranean Cruising Association Certificate of Competence UK
New Zealand NZ Boat master Certificate Course with Gold Star Stamp (100hrs) or 100hrs stamp imprinted NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Chief Mate NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Commercial Launch master NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Inshore Fishing Skipper NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Inshore Launch master NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Local Launch Operator NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Master (yacht < 500gt.) NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Master (yacht) NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Qualified Fishing Deckhand NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency as Skipper of a Coastal Fishing Boat NZ
New Zealand NZ Certificate of Competency Master of Pleasure Yacht Coastal NZ
New Zealand NZ Coastal Skipper NZ
New Zealand NZ Day Skipper Certificate Course plus practical boat assessment NZ
Poland Polish Motor Boat and Water Ski Association Certificate of Motor Boat Helmsman Polski Zwiazek Motorowodny Narciarstwa Wodnego Sternika Motorowodnego Pl
Poland Polish Yachting Association Certificate of Ocean- Going Yacht Master Polski Zwiazek Zeglarski Jachtowego Kapitana Zeglugi Wielkiej Pl
Portugal Carta de Navegado de Recreio (Yachtmaster's Licence) Pt
Portugal Certificate of Competency (Fishing) Cedula de Inscricao Maitima Pt
Romania International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010  
Royal Yachting Association RYA Advanced Power Boat Certificate EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Advanced Power Boat Instructor Certificate EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Coastal Skipper EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Competent Crew (Sail Only) EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Day Skipper (Both Theory and Practical) EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Intermediate Power Boat Certificate EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Motor Cruising Scheme. Code: G18/03 EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA National Powerboat Certificate Level II (Conducted at Royal Navy HMS establishments) EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA National Powerboat Certificate Level II EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Power Boat Instructor Certificate EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Powerboating/Old Sports boat (Using E.U. Resolution 40) Code: G20/--- EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA Sail Cruising and Yachtmaster Code: G1504 EU
Royal Yachting Association RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence EU
Singapore, Republic of Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore) RS
Slovakia International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
South Africa Canoe South Africa RA
South Africa Certificate of Competency as Deck Officer Dept. of South Africa RA
South Africa Certificate of Competency Category's A-D and R Day Skipper Limited. Code: SAMSA RA
South Africa Cruising Association of South Africa [Coastal Skipper] RA
South Africa Cruising Association of South Africa [Yacht Skipper (Local Waters)] RA
South Africa Cruising Association of South Africa [Yachtmaster Ocean] RA
South Africa Cruising Association of South Africa [Yachtmaster Offshore] RA
South Africa National Sea Rescue Institute of South Africa RA
South Africa Power Boat South Africa RA
South Africa Ski-Boat from Certificate of Competency via Department of Transport SA RA
South Africa South African Anglers' Union Certificate of Competency (Ski-Boat) (Terminated Operation Certificate still recognised) RA
South Africa South African Deep Sea Angling Association RA
South Africa South African Inflatable Boat Association RA
South Africa South African Institute for Skippers RA
South Africa South African Police Service (Water Wing) RA
South Africa South African Sailing Academy [Coastal Skipper] RA
South Africa South African Sailing Academy [Yacht Skipper (Local Waters)]. Code: SAMSA R. 500 RA
South Africa South African Sailing Academy [Yachtmaster Ocean] RA
South Africa South African Sailing Academy [Yachtmaster Offshore] RA
South Africa South African Small Craft Association [National Small Power-driven Vessel Certificate of Competence] RA
South Africa South African Underwater Union RA
South Africa Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competency for Motor Vessels [Professional Yachtmaster Training, Durban Association with International Yachtmaster Training (Inc.), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA] RA
South Africa Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competency for Sailing Vessels [Professional Yachtmaster Training, Durban Association with International Yachtmaster Training (Inc.), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA] RA
Spain Spain Patron De Embarcaciones De Recreo EU
Sweden Swedish Diploma (Coastal Yacht master Diploma) [Kustskepparintyg] Se Y Se
Sweden International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU
Switzerland International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft Res. 40 12/02/2010 EU Y EU
Switzerland Sailing School Rorschach Switzerland (Yacht master's certificate) CH Y CH
Switzerland Schweizeerische Eidgenossenschaft (International certificate of pleasure craft operations) CH Y CH
Switzerland Schweizerlscher Schiffs/ Uhrerauswels Motorboot (A-Schein) Switzerlan Motor Boat Licence CH
United KingdomBoat master's Licence (U.K. Dept. of Transport)UK
United KingdomBritish Water Ski Federation: Ski Boat Driver Award (Meets RYA Level III and Res. 40 I.C.C.)UK/EU
United KingdomBSAC/CDA Approved Boat handling InstructorUK
United KingdomBSAC/CDA Boat Handling Seamanship for DiversUK
United KingdomBSAC/CDA Diver CoxswainUK
United KingdomCertificate of Competency as Master of a Pleasure Yacht (Coastal) issued by Ministry of Transport UKUK
United KingdomCertificate of Competency as Master of Foreign Going VesselUK
United KingdomDepartment of Transport Boatman's Licence 1993 onwardsUK
United KingdomMCA Master of Yachts 200 Tons LimitedUK
United KingdomMCA The Mediterranean Cruising Association Certificate of CompetenceUK
United KingdomRoyal National Lifeboat Institution: Atlantic 21/75 lifeboat course UK YUK
United KingdomUK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Seafarer Standards Branch [The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997] Officer of the Watch; Chief MateUK
United States of AmericaAmerican Sailing Association Advance Keelboat Sailing CourseUSA
United States of AmericaAmerican Sailing Association Advanced Coastal Cruising CourseUSA
United States of AmericaAmerican Sailing Association Basic Coastal Cruising CourseUSA
United States of AmericaAmerican Sailing Association Basic Keelboat Sailing CourseUSA
United States of AmericaDepartment of Interior Motorboat Operator Certificate Course (Florida International University) USA YUSA
United States of AmericaOcean Masters Sailing Academy (Yacht master) USA YUSA
United States of AmericaUnited States Coast Guard (U.S. Merchant Marine Officer) USA YUSA
United States of AmericaUnited States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Master < 100 tons USA YUSA
United States of AmericaYacht master Coastal Certificate of Competency for Motor Vessels [International Yacht master Training (Inc.), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA] USA YUSA
United States of AmericaYacht master Coastal Certificate of Competency for Sailing Vessels [International Yacht master Training (Inc.), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA] USA YUSA

Personal watercraft (PWC) licence

Country Personal watercraft (PWC) licence type Country code/State
United States of America Boating Safety Education Course Utah
United States of America Boating Safety Certificate New York
United States of America Proof of Course Completion Maine
United States of America Thrill Craft Operators Certification Hawaii
United States of America Certificate of Completion Virgin Islands
United States of America Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operations Connecticut
Spain Moto Nautical Pattern ‘C’ (Patron de Moto Nautica ’C’) (less than 55Hp)  
Spain Moto Nautical Pattern ‘B’ (Patron de Moto Nautica ’B’) (from 55 to less than 110Hp)  
Spain Moto Nautical Pattern ‘A’ (Patron de Moto Nautica ’A’) (110Hp and over)  
Royal Yachting Association Certificates RYA Personal Watercraft Certificate of Proficiency EU