Frequently Asked Questions

12 months from the date of issue, printed on the certificate.

 

 

If you have a group of 20 or more we are happy to organise a course in your location at a suitable commercial venue.

Transport Safety Victoria have rules for where a training course can be held. The premises must be a commercial premise, it must comply with OH&S requirements, have suitable toilets and a reasonable size to take into account the comfort and safety of students participating in the course.

Get in touch for more information.

We recommend you bring snack foods to eat during the course, a black or blue pen, suitable identification (refer to Evidence of Identity page on this website) and the course fees in cash.

You will be given further training and retested again on the day of training. You can only be tested twice on any given day. No further course fees will be paid for further training and testing in the days following the course date. Further training and testing costs will be met by Gippsland Boat Training.

The total course time is 4 hours. The first half a hour will be registration/Admin followed by three hours of training and then finishing up with thirty minutes of testing.

The assessment is conducted under test conditions where each participant is handed a question sheet and answer sheet.

There are 30 multiple choice questions for the boat component and you are required to get minimum 26 correct to be found competent.

There are 15 multiple choice questions for the PWC (jetski) component and you are required to get minimum 13 correct to be found competent.

Cancellation by the participant

In cases where the participant cancels their enrolment in a course offered by Gippsland Boat Training as an Approved Training Provider of Maritime Safety Victoria they will be offered a full refund of any monies paid so long as the cancellation is notified at least 48 hours prior to the commencement time for the course.

If the cancellation is notified less than 48 hours prior to the commencement of the course the Chief Executive Officer may offer a refund, offer full or partial credit for another course or may refuse a refund at their discretion.

In cases where there are extreme or extenuating circumstances requiring a participant to cancel less than 48 hours before the commencement of the course the participant is encouraged to explain their situation, and to provide evidence if possible, to the staff of Gippsland Boat Training. This will assist in making a case for special consideration.

Cancellation by Gippsland Boat Training

If a course is cancelled by Gippsland Boat Training all participants will be entitled to a full refund of any monies paid. At the discretion of the participant they may choose to instead use the refund owed to them as credit for another course enrolment.

There is a $30 administration fee for the replacement of lost or misplaced certificates.

Where the certificate has been incorrectly filled in by Gippsland Boat Training staff, a replacement certificate will be provided for free with the return of the defective certificate.

Eligibility for enrolment.

Eligibility to Apply for a Marine Licence

Pursuant to regulation 30 of the Marine Safety Regulations 2012 (Vic) the following persons are not eligible to apply for a marine licence:

• A person who is disqualified from obtaining a marine licence, during the period of that disqualification
• A person who is the holder of a marine licence that has been suspended, during the period of that suspension
• A person who is disqualified from obtaining a licence or other authority to be the master of or to operate a recreational vessel under
  • (i) the law of another State or Territory, or
  •  (ii) the law of another country,

in circumstances which, if they occurred in Victoria, would have resulted in the person being disqualified from obtaining a marine licence in Victoria

• A person who is the holder of a licence or other authority to operate a recreational vessel issued by another State or Territory that has been suspended, during the period of that suspension

• Persons aged under 16 years of age are not eligible to obtain a personal watercraft endorsement

Applicants should also note that they will be required to meet the health requirements for operating a car, motorcycle or boat and this may include further testing where appropriate.

 

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am under 16 years old and I currently have a PWC endorsement on my licence. Is it still valid?

Yes. Existing endorsements will remain valid.

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Can I take the course for a PWC endorsement with a training provider before I turn 16?

Yes. If you are aged 15 years you can do the course and take the test.  Depending on your age, there will be a window of opportunity for you to obtain your endorsed licence on or after your 16th birthday and before the expiry date of the Certificate of Attainment (valid for 12 months).

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Can I take the PWC endorsement test at VicRoads before I turn 16?

No – the VicRoads system will not allow anyone under 16 years of age to take the PWC endorsement test

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How does this affect supervised operation of a personal watercraft?

It does not affect supervised operation. An unlicensed person can operate a personal watercraft subject to these conditions: The supervising person must be aged over eighteen years and have a general marine licence. The supervisor must be in a position from which they can take immediate control of the personal watercraft.

What if an endorsed licence is issued to me in error when I am aged under 16 years?

The licence will be re-issued with the PWC endorsement removed, and the endorsement fee refunded in full, as the endorsement is void. If you no longer require a licence (that is, the only reason for obtaining it was to operate a personal watercraft) then the regulations provide for a pro-rata refund of the licence fee upon surrender of the licence.

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What happens if a person aged under 16 has a Certificate of Attainment from a training provider, including PWC endorsement test and the certificate is dated before the implementation of the legislation, but is presented afterwards?

An endorsement will not be issued. A marine licence will be issued if required.

Note: if the person will turn 16 within the validity period of the Certificate of Attainment then they can apply for the endorsement after their 16th birthday, but before the Certificate of Attainment (valid for 12 months) expires.

Will a PWC endorsement be automatically issued to me when I turn 16?

No. You will have to apply when you become eligible.

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What if a person aged under 16 has booked and paid for a course with an accredited training provider and subsequently becomes aware of their ineligibility for a PWC endorsement?

Check with the training provider as soon as you become aware of this. It will depend on their cancellation and refund policy.

What if a person aged under 16 has been issued with a 1 or 3 year licence with a PWC endorsement, and it expires while they are still aged under 16 years?

All existing licences with endorsements can be renewed, including the endorsement.

What if the holder of an endorsed licence surrenders their licence, and then make a fresh application while still aged under 16 years?

Any fresh application would result in a  new licence being issued, so the applicant would be treated as a new applicant and will not be issued with an endorsement.

What if a new applicant aged under 16 applies for a Victorian marine licence and presents a licence issued in another jurisdiction (Australian state or territory) which allows for PWC operation?

The applicant would be treated as a new applicant and will not be issued with an endorsement. Licences are not transferred from other jurisdictions – they are just used to demonstrate attainment, in the same way as certificates from Accredited Training Providers.

 

Pricing- As of 01/01/24

Marine with PWC Endorsement- $150

Marine only- $150

PWC Endorsement ONLY (provided applicant holds a current Marine Licence)- $100

PWC Endorsement for any applicant coming off of a restricted licence aged 16-17- $50 (please speak to trainers if applying for this prior to booking).

Marine= Boat, PWC Endorsement= Jet Ski, Restricted= is any applicant under 16 years of age.