Becoming a BoatSafe training provider
In Queensland, all candidates for a recreational boat licence or personal watercraft licence must satisfactorily complete either an approved BoatSafe competency-based training and assessment program or a recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment with an approved BoatSafe training provider. Candidates in remote areas must complete a competency-based assessment with an approved BoatSafe assessor.
The BoatSafe scheme, modelled on national guidelines for the safe operation of recreational boats, is designed to increase the rigour of training and assessment processes and is aimed at improving the safety awareness, attitudes and competence of all future licence holders.
Maritime Safety Queensland will only approve BoatSafe training organisations capable of delivering both the recreational marine driver licence and personal watercraft competency units.
To provide training under the BoatSafe scheme you must:
BoatSafe training organisations
Applicants for approval as a BoatSafe training organisation may be a corporation or an individual.
Corporate applicants must:
- Complete a BoatSafe Training Organisation application form (PDF, 66 KB). Section 2 of the form must be completed for each director or principal of the business or organisation.
- Provide a current company search document that includes a list of current directors – available through the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
- Provide a Certificate of Incorporation (where applicable) and Australian Company Number (ACN).
- Provide evidence of identity documents for all directors.
- If trading under a different name to the corporation name, provide a Business Name Certificate showing a list of current proprietors of the trading name.
- Possess insurance appropriate to their training organisation responsibilities for workcover and public liability insurance.
- Nominate at least one suitable person as a BoatSafe training provider to undertake BoatSafe training and assessment on the organisation's behalf.
- Pay an application fee – currently A$423.95.
- Pay a CrimTrac check fee – currently A$35.30.
Applicants who are individuals must:
- Complete a BoatSafe training organisation application form (PDF, 66 KB).
- Nominate at least one suitable person as a BoatSafe training provider to undertake BoatSafe training and assessment on the organisation's behalf (may be the applicant).
- Satisfy the BoatSafe training provider qualifications and associated prerequisites.
- Provide evidence of identity documents.
- If trading under a business name, include a Business Name Certificate showing a list of current proprietors of the business and Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Pay the application fee – currently A$423.95.
- Pay a CrimTrac check fee – currently A$35.30.
What happens next?
- CrimTrac check.
- Applications (including lesson plans and assessment instruments) are assessed for suitability through a desktop audit. This will be followed by a site audit.
- The BoatSafe approval will be granted and an authority issued.
BoatSafe training provider nominations
For each person the applicant nominates as a BoatSafe training provider, the applicant must:
- Complete a BoatSafe training provider nomination form (PDF, 72 KB).
- Provide evidence of identity documents for the nominated training provider.
- If trading under a business name, include a Business Name Certificate showing a list of current proprietors of the business and Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Provide a copy of the nominated person's commercial marine licence document including any endorsements on the licence.
- Provide a copy of the nominated person's training and assessment qualifications.
- Provide a statement of the nominated person's recent and relevant industry experience.
- Copy of the nominated person's Positive Notice Blue Card issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. For more information about obtaining a Blue Card, see www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au.
- Give details of proposed training/assessment vessel(s) and training locations.
- Pay a CrimTrac check fee – currently A$35.30.
BoatSafe training providers who intend to deliver personal watercraft training and assessment will need to possess a personal watercraft licence in addition to their other qualifications and will need to be specifically endorsed by Maritime Safety Queensland for the delivery of this service.
What happens next?
- CrimTrac check
- a site audit may be conducted by Maritime Safety Queensland officers
- Maritime Safety Queensland will notify BoatSafe Training Organisations in writing of nominated training providers who have been endorsed to provide BoatSafe training and assessment
- nominated training providers endorsed by Maritime Safety Queensland will be notified of their endorsement to their BoatSafe Training Organisation
- only Maritime Safety Queensland approved materials are to be used for training and assessment
- activity statements must be completed and forwarded to Maritime Safety Queensland via the BoatSafe Training Organisation in accordance with the conditions of approval
- contact details are posted on the BoatSafe approved training providers (PDF, 282 KB)
- a copy of the standard conditions under which a BoatSafe training organisation is expected to operate is available from Maritime Safety Queensland on request.
Course documentation
The following course documents must be provided by BoatSafe training organisation applicants:
Training facilities and equipment
The following information regarding training facilities and equipment must be provided by BoatSafe training organisation applicants. All facilities must comply with current Queensland Workplace Health and Safety requirements:
- access to a suitable Queensland commercially registered vessel of at least Uniform Shipping Laws Code (USL Code) class 2E, capable of performing all of the operational requirements specified in the BoatSafe competency standard with a minimum of two adults onboard
- well-lit classroom
- appropriate multimedia instructional equipment
- charts and plotters
- ropes
- lifejackets
- anchors.
Resources
BoatSafe assessors
Until BoatSafe training organisations have been approved to cover all areas of Queensland, Maritime Safety Queensland may approve BoatSafe assessors to assess candidates for licences without providing training. BoatSafe assessors must qualify under part 2 of the Standard, but need not qualify under part 3. Under the BoatSafe scheme it is Maritime Safety Queensland's policy to only approve BoatSafe assessors for areas not serviced by BoatSafe training organisations who provide competency based training and assessment.
