Recreational Skipper’s Ticket
What is the Recreational Skipper's Ticket?
The RST is a certificate of competency, not a licence. It is purely about demonstrating the minimum knowledge and practical skills needed to operate a boat safely on the water. It is based on a set of marine safety competencies that have been agreed nationally. The assessment of these competencies will be in two sections: theory and practical. Depending on your prior qualification you may be exempt from the assessment.
It is important to remember that only one person on board will need to hold the RST. In the same way that a captain is in charge of a ship, this doesn’t mean that they must be at the wheel the whole time. It does mean they are responsible for what happens on the boat during the voyage.
The RST regulations are available in Publications.
Who has to have one?
As of 1 April 2008, every skipper of a registrable, recreational vessel, powered by a motor greater than 4.5kwp (6 hp) (RST vessel) will be required to hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket. Further conditions are specified in the table below:
| To operate a vessel with a motor 4.5 kwp (6 hp) or less, a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket is not required. |
| Age Group |
Requirement |
| Under 10 |
May not operate any vessel |
| Over 10 |
May operate a powered recreational vessel if the motor is 4.5 kwp (6 hp) or less. |
| To operate an RST vessel a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket is required. |
| Age Group |
Requirement |
| 14 – 25 |
Must obtain an RST by 1 April 2007.* |
| Under 16 |
May only operate a vessel during daylight hours and at a speed less than 8 knots.* |
| Over 25 |
Must obtain an RST by 1 April 2008. |
| NOTE: * |
A person aged between 14 and 16 cannot be in charge of an RST vessel unless they hold an RST. |
How do I get one?
To obtain an RST you must have your skills assessed by an RST authorised assessor. A list of assessor is available in Publications. Depending on your prior skill or qualifications you may need to demonstrate your competency in the theory and practical sections or just the theory section.
Depending on your prior qualifications you may be able to apply for your RST through the Skills Recognition Scheme. More information
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Interstate or overseas ticket valid for three months
If you hold a valid/current interstate or foreign skipper's ticket, recognised by the Department and listed in the skills recognition section of this website and you enter Western Australia, as a visitor or with the intention of permanently residing in the State, it will be taken that you hold a recreational skipper's ticket until three months have elapsed since you entered the State.
After that period you must apply for an RST, under the Skills Recognition scheme, if you wish to continue operating an RST vessel in this State.
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Change of details and replacement cards
Please note the following requirements if you change your details or need a replacement card.
You must:
- notify the Department within 21 days and a new card will be issued.
- request a replacement card if you have lost, damaged or had your card stolen.
- provide information using the Application to Change Personal Details and/or Request a Replacement Card Form.
- attach a copy of any supporting documents i.e. Statutory Declaration, Marriage Certificate etc for name changes.
- return the form and any attachments to the Department in person, by post or by fax as follows:
In Person
1 Essex Street Fremantle
By Post
The RST Officer
Department for Planning and Infrastructure
PO BOX 402
Fremantle, WA 6959
By Fax
Attention: The RST Officer
(08) 9216 8977
The RST Workbook
Everything that you can be assessed on, theory and practical, is contained in the RST Workbook. You can pick up one of these FREE workbooks from any Department office, your authorised assessor and many other boating and fishing outlets.
4th Edition now available in Publications.
The chapters of the workbook assemble chunks of information into logical groups – buoyage, rules of the road and so on – and at the end of each chapter there is a sample set of questions. These questions are of the same standard as those in the theory assessment so, if you read the book and can answer all the questions in it, you should be well on your way to passing the assessment.
All the practical skills you can be asked to demonstrate are also in the workbook, with drawings and pace notes on how to carry them out. The practical assessment will be relevant to the type of boat and the location. The name says it all: it is a practical assessment, so you are demonstrating the skills, and your knowledge in practice, that should be applied to any trip – plus showing that you can cope with unexpected events.
RST Workbook amendments
Amendments are available in Publications.
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