Australian Boating College North Coast & North West NSW
Get your NSW Boat & PWC Licence in one day!
Book a NSW Boat & PWC Licence Course at a North Coast & North West NSW location
The Australian Boating College North Coast & North West NSW conducts boat & PWC licence courses in many locations across North Coast & North West NSW including, but not limited to Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Forster, Tuncurry, Taree, Kempsey, South West Rocks, Macksville, Urunga, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Yamba, Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Tamworth, Armidale, Lake Keepit, Inverell, Narrabri, Moree, Tweed Heads, plus many more.
** Servicing Tweed Heads to Tuncurry **
* OUR MOST POPULAR COURSE *
Boat Licence
Course (No Logbook)
$450
PER STUDENT
(From Aug 1, 2026)
FEE INCLUDES (Per Licence)
Boat Theory Study
Boat Licence Exam
Practical On-water Training
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Boat + PWC Licence
Course (No Logbook)
$550
PER STUDENT
(From Aug 1, 2026)
FEE INCLUDES (Per Licence)
Boat Theory Study & Boat Licence Exam
PWC Theory Study & PWC Licence Exam
Practical On-water Training
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PWC Upgrade
$195
PER STUDENT
(From Aug 1, 2026)
FEE INCLUDES (Per Licence)
PWC Theory Study
PWC Licence Exam
Must already hold NSW boat licence
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Boat Practical Only
$350
PER STUDENT
(From Aug 1, 2026)
FEE INCLUDES
(Per Licence)
Available at any of our
one day courses
View Course DetailsCall to Book Course
Boat Licence Theory Only
Course (Logbook Required)
$375
PER STUDENT
(From Aug 1, 2026)
FEE INCLUDES (Per Licence)
Boat Theory Study
Boat Licence Exam
Logbook Must be Completed
View Course Details
Boat + PWC Licence Theory Only
Course (Logbook Required)
$475
PER STUDENT
(From Aug 1, 2026)
FEE INCLUDES (Per Licence)
Boat Theory Study & Boat Licence Exam
PWC Theory Study & PWC Licence Exam
Logbook Must be Completed
Personalised Custom Boating Lessons
Tow/Launch/Retrieve
Advanced boat handling
Bar crossings
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Coxswain Grade 3 Near Coastal
Complete the Coxswain Grade 3 Assessment with the Australian Boating College Northern NSW.
View Course DetailsCall to Book Course
Do you want to book a Jet Ski Upgrade Course?
You must hold a valid NSW General Boat Licence (GBL) otherwise you need to complete the combined Boat & Jet Ski Licence Course.
Australian Boating College North Coast & North West NSW is owned and operated by Scott Henry & Niamh Walsh, their office located in Port Macquarie.
Owner and principal instructor Scott has over 35 years of boating experience gained from time in the Royal Australian Navy, years as a Master Class 5 of charter vessels on the Great Barrier Reef, and looking after private boats, before joining Australian Boating College in 2009. He has extensive knowledge of a variety of vessels from 12-foot tinnys to a 75-foot jet boat.
As well as doing boat & PWC licence courses, Australian Boating College North Coast & North West NSW can also do Custom Lessons in your own boat, including crossing a coastal bar safely.
So if you are looking for your boat or PWC licence in North Coast & North West NSW please give Scott (0424 014 560) or Niamh (0406 957 495) a call and then look forward to your happy boating days!
Boat Training Videos
Australian Boating College has a collection of boat training videos to help demonstrate the different areas of boat safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a boat licence in NSW?
You need a boat licence in NSW when you exceed the speed of 10 knots (18.5 km/h) in a recreational powered vessel
At what age can I obtain my NSW boat or PWC licence?
You can obtain a boat or PWC licence in NSW from age 12 – some speed restrictions apply to the licence until the age of 16. Once the applicant turns 16, restrictions are automatically lifted – nothing further is required to be done.
What happens when I complete a Boat or PWC Licence course with Australian Boating College?
If you complete a course which includes on-water practical training you simply have to lodge the paperwork we give you at any Service NSW office, pay your licence fee and get on the water with your Boat or PWC licence.
Can I use my NSW boat licence anywhere in Australia?
Yes, you can.
If I have reading difficulties can I get reading assistance with the exam?
Yes, with prior notice, we can organise to do an oral exam on the day of the course
Do I have to have driven a boat before to be able to do the course?
No, definitely not. During the practical you will be talked through each exercise before you then demonstrate the same exercise. You will learn how to drive a boat confidently and safely during our course.
What do I need to bring on the day of my boat or PWC licence course?
Identity documents, pen, notepaper, sunglasses, hat, rain jacket, lunch and refreshments. 2 colour passport photos are also required if doing the PWC course.
What happens if it is raining on the day of the course?
The boat licence practicals go ahead rain, hail or shine so on rainy days make sure to have a rain jacket with you. If we deemed it too dangerous to carry out the practical (due to flooding, debris, lightning etc) we would endeavour to get the practical completed later that day (if the weather looks like passing) or as soon as possible at one of our later scheduled courses or even a specially organised session for those affected.
What happens if I don’t show up on the day?
Given at least 24 hours notice we can transfer your booking to another date/person. If you do not show up on the day of a course and give no notice, no communication, your enrolment fees will be forfeited.
Mark Bell
4 months ago
We had a great day with Scott and Niamh. Learnt so much and it’s all done with professionalism and a mix of Aus/Irish humour.
Had a great afternoon out on the boat and now have the confidence and knowledge to take our own boat out now too. Would recommend to anyone. Read the pre-study before you go and when Scott goes through it all in the morning on the day it all makes sense! Have no concerns about the test, the teaching is so good you’ll fly through it 👍
Had a great afternoon out on the boat and now have the confidence and knowledge to take our own boat out now too. Would recommend to anyone. Read the pre-study before you go and when Scott goes through it all in the morning on the day it all makes sense! Have no concerns about the test, the teaching is so good you’ll fly through it 👍
Kristine Baker
4 months ago
Was a great day out on the water. I was very nervous about doing the course but Scott and Niamh made the learning experience and practical enjoyable and fun.. would strongly recommend to anyone wanting their boat or pwc license. Price was well worth it..
jason mcmanus
6 months ago
Niamh and Scott are awesome excellent teaching methods made the course an exceptional experience. The practical component was explained well and gained very useful boating techniques.
Jon Kearns
6 months ago
Fantastic boating license course! Scott and Niamh were great instructors — really knowledgeable, clear, and made everything easy to understand. The training was the perfect preparation for the test and even covered practical knowledge way beyond what was required.
The practical session out on the water was the highlight. Everyone got plenty of time driving the boat, which made it both fun and really valuable for learning. Honestly had a great time doing the course. Highly recommend!
The practical session out on the water was the highlight. Everyone got plenty of time driving the boat, which made it both fun and really valuable for learning. Honestly had a great time doing the course. Highly recommend!
Gordon Harris
9 months ago
✨⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
EXCELLENT
Niamh and Scott are wonderful facilitators.
Scott’s tutoring is clear and he welcomes questions so that all participants clearly understand what is being taught.
He highlights important aspects all throughout the classroom part of the course.
Scott’s attention to detail on the water for the practical part of the course was exemplary and we enjoyed it thoroughly. His boat is immaculate and safe.
Niamh’s ability to assist in the exam process where people like myself (and one of my Grandsons) didn’t understand or misread a question was invaluable.
Niamh’s management of all paperwork throughout the course was very helpful and great when she handed us our course completion paperwork to take to get our licence.
THIS IS A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL COURSE RUN BY EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE.
MY GRANDSONS AND MYSELF HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
THANK YOU NIAMH & SCOTT
Max, Kade & Charlie
EXCELLENT
Niamh and Scott are wonderful facilitators.
Scott’s tutoring is clear and he welcomes questions so that all participants clearly understand what is being taught.
He highlights important aspects all throughout the classroom part of the course.
Scott’s attention to detail on the water for the practical part of the course was exemplary and we enjoyed it thoroughly. His boat is immaculate and safe.
Niamh’s ability to assist in the exam process where people like myself (and one of my Grandsons) didn’t understand or misread a question was invaluable.
Niamh’s management of all paperwork throughout the course was very helpful and great when she handed us our course completion paperwork to take to get our licence.
THIS IS A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL COURSE RUN BY EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE.
MY GRANDSONS AND MYSELF HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
THANK YOU NIAMH & SCOTT
Max, Kade & Charlie
Paul Milton
12 months ago
Great course great teachers highly recommended
Lucas Franceschini
12 months ago
Amazing teacher !
Ryan Waldron
12 months ago
Friendly, funny and professional. Learnt heaps and feel ready to get on the water.
Bernie Baldwin
12 months ago
Friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and keen for a laugh… Highly highly recommend
Blake Paisley
12 months ago
Very kind and helped us out a lot and taught us a lot of stuff and very easy to talk to
Leeah Flynn
12 months ago
Great energy with experienced and knowledgeable instructors. Made the boating license easily achievable in a fun way. My Husband, 13year old Son and Myself enjoyed ourselves.
Janet Saunders
12 months ago
I just did my boating licence course in Urunga with the Australian Boating College Northern NSW. It was great because after doing lots of research I found this one day course at a very competative price offered not only the training necessary for the exam but also included the practical on water experience required to obtain the Licence itself, something I found allot of the other course providers omitted to tell you was not included in their course content you would have to obtain the on water experience required eslewhere , so this was the best course for me as it is a complete training course. I enjoyed the experience and found Scott & Niamh to be very professional and the course was well run . I passed my exam 100% questions right . Highly recommended.
Shari May
1 year ago
Instructors were very knowledgeable and professional. Both the theory and practical were engaging and thorough. I’m very happy to have completed the course with them and to get back out on the water!
Goat Himself
1 year ago
good experience an explained really well
Ready to book your Boat or Jet Ski Licence course with ABC Northern NSW?
ABC Licence Training Pty Ltd ABN 43 080 057 923 RTO number 3399 is approved by NSW Maritime to provide practical boat training and/or knowledge testing for the NSW general boat driving licence and PWC driving licence. Nominated Representatives Australian Boating College Northern NSW Division. ABN 74 636 995 983 is an authorised Nominated Representative of ABC Licence Training Pty Ltd ABN 43 080 057 923 RTO number 3399 and is approved by NSW Maritime to provide practical boat training and/or knowledge testing for the NSW general boat driving licence and PWC driving licence.
