Sydney Australia is about to reset the benchmark as the most expensive jurisdiction in the world to own a Jet Ski.
Authorities in New South Wales – Australia’s most populous state – have just announced mind-numbing increases on Jet Ski licence fees, due to come into force from 1 July 2024.
In what appears to be an attempt to discourage Jet Ski riders from signing up long term, the biggest percentage increase applies to the most expensive licence, which is for 10 years.
At its current cost of $1043, the 10-year personal watercraft (PWC) licence in NSW is already the most expensive Jet Ski licence in the world.
Now it is about to hit an eye-watering new high.
Jet Ski licence fee increases in NSW from 1 July 2024:
- 1 year Jet Ski licence: Was $210, now $245 (up 17 per cent)
- 3 year Jet Ski licence: Was $460, now $662 (up 44 per cent)
- 5 year Jet Ski licence: Was $720, now $1042 (up 45 per cent)
- 10 year Jet Ski licence: Was $1043, now $1961 (up 88 per cent)
Rubbing salt into the eyes of Jet Ski riders in NSW, the above licence fees are triple the cost of the equivalent boat licence.
Boat licence fees increases in NSW from 1 July 2024:
- 1 year Boat licence: Was $69, now $77 (up 12 per cent)
- 3 year Boat licence: Was $185, now $220 (up 19 per cent)
- 5 year Boat licence: Was $292, now $351 (up 20 per cent)
- 10 year Boat licence: Was $521, now $679 (up 30 per cent)
Jet Ski riders canvassed by Watercraft Zone have been left speechless by the changes, and many immediately questioned their desire to continue in the sport.
A number of experienced Jet Ski riders slammed the manufacturers – Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki – for ignoring the rising licence costs in NSW in recent years and making no attempt to lobby policymakers against such harsh measures.
“These (Jet Ski licence) increases have been building for years, and the manufacturers have done absolutely nothing,” said one veteran of the sport, who asked to remain anonymous as he is a well-known figure in the industry.
“They (Jet Ski manufacturers) are in a position to speak to government.
“Jet Ski riders don’t have a voice, the brands (Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski) have the resources to start these discussions, and they’ve just sat back and watched this disaster unfold.
“Jet Skis are now more expensive than they’ve ever been, and what do we (Jet Ski riders) get in return? Nothing.
“Maybe now the industry will wake up and take notice because these (licence fee) increases are going to push people over the edge and consider a new hobby.
“When you add up record high fuel prices, record high Jet Ski prices, and now record high licence fees, this is going to hurt the sport, it’s totally unfair.”
NSW Maritime authorities say higher licence fees are a response to an increase in Jet Ski-related injuries, and the extra resources required to address anti-social behaviour on the water.
A statement on the NSW Maritime website said Jet Ski riders are “subject to the largest fee increase, due to a large increase in the number of (Jet Ski) riders on NSW waterways and higher costs to regulate this segment of boaters.”
Jet Ski licences and registrations have increased by more than 40 per cent since 2018, data from NSW Maritime shows, “which is a faster rate than any other registered recreational vessel group.”
NSW Maritime also said Jet Skis have been “heavily over-represented in boating incidents … and in serious injury incidents” over the past 10 years.
“As such, the higher fees are directly reflective of the increased resources and effort required by NSW Maritime to regulate this user group,” the statement from NSW Maritime said.
Below is an updated table comparing Jet Ski licence fees in NSW versus other jurisdictions in Australia.
As previously reported, disproportionately high prices for Jet Ski licences in NSW are in place even though research shows boaties are more at risk of fatalities on the water than Jet Ski riders.
How Jet Ski and personal watercraft licence fees compare across Australia:
| Australian state or territory | Boat licence fee | Jet Ski and PWC licence fee |
| NSW/ACT 1 year licence | $77 | $245 (More than triple boat licence fee) |
| NSW/ACT 3 year licence | $220 | $662 (More than triple boat licence fee) |
| NSW/ACT 5 year licence | $351 | $1042 (Almost triple boat licence fee) |
| NSW/ACT 10 year licence | $679 | $1961 (Almost triple boat licence fee) |
| VIC 1 year licence | $39.80 | $44.90 (13 per cent more than boat licence) |
| VIC 3 year licence | $119.40 | $134.70 (13 per cent more than boat licence) |
| VIC 5 year licence | $199 | $224.50 (13 per cent more than boat licence) |
| QLD Lifetime licence | $123.85 | $123.85 (Same cost as boat licence) |
| SA Lifetime licence | $48 | $48 (Same cost as boat licence) |
| WA Lifetime licence | $180-$280 (varies with course provider) | $180-$280 (Same cost as boat licence) |
| TAS 3 year licence | $49.50 | $99 (Double a boat licence fee) |
| NT | No licence required | No licence required |
Source: NSW figures from 1 July 2024. Figures from other states from December 2023. While care has been taken while compiling this data, the fees are subject to change. Please check with your local authorities for the latest information.
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