Here l am writing about VHF radios only, which most of us use.

The expression of 'Having a radio licence' is as ambiguous as it could be.
Is this expression aiming at the r a d i o, or the p e r s o n who operates it?
Perhaps both?

The English language is wonderfully precise, if used correctly. Also, it could be utterly imprecise and misleading if not!
VHF radios - as radio stations - do not have to be licenced to my knowledge.
The licensing of radio operators as far as VHF radios are concerned is laughable because it is impossible to police. A 'good law' or regulation should always be designed with easy enforcement in mind. If it is not easily enforced it becomes subject to abuse and eventually ridicule. Similar to the old days when CB radio operators had to be licenced.
Just think of the mobile VHF units to be had for a few hundred bucks by anyone let alone the ones ship-fitted.
Yes, they could pull you up and ask for a licence but if you have the radio turned off you would not need a licence for it - inshore.
Offshore it is a tool of survival and l doubt anyone who ventures that far would not know how to use it properly. This is the only place and opportunity for any authority to check, fine or do anything at all.
The undesirables, who cheese us and MR off, mostly on sunny weekends, use the VHF instead of 27MHz mostly in small boats or on land and seldom venture offshore and so, impossible to police.
The serious offshore operator, whoever, is burdened with extra cost and time wasted to obtain something not exactly detrimental to his well being. The licence l mean.
The rules of using a VHF radio are so easy to learn - a trained monkey could do it - l believe it should not be tied to a licence of any sort.
If any authority is serious about licencing a VHF radio operator, should be able and willing to police it strictly and regularly. If not, this exercise is becoming one of the tools to fill up the empty coffers of some misty entity.
I am very much for regulated VHF radio operations, to keep the idiots at bay, especially since HF is falling to the wayside, just can not see any avenue to do it meaningfully.

Did I open Pandora's Box here??

This last regulation seems to be a more intelligent approach to this otherwise uncontrollable situation.
Despite this enlightenment of the authorities l still pray for more light to be shone into those dark places.
They might realise, they are wasting their time and our tax bucks on something would not deserve a second thought unless they would be able and willing to systematically and regularly enforce it, which is next to impossible.

What is going to happen beyond the twelve mile limit?
Say 12.10 miles from shore.
The UN is going to get you? Or ASEAN? Or the World Police? C'mmon!
One would think, no Oz authority could fine you for not having an international licence after all you are outside territorial waters where they have no jurisdiction.( Am l wrong here?? )
And who is going to police it within territorial waters?
l envisage a fleet of crafts hiding behind headlands near well known black spots and chase down every vessel being unfortunate enough to approach. It makes me laugh. This would beat Ben Elton and George Orwell hands down.

KISS principle
You do not need a licence but you do need a certificate of proficiency to operate a hf/ mf or vhf marine radio
Most Modern hf/ mf and vhf marine radios now include the DSC application
A retailer cannot by law sell these sets unless the buyer can produce the appropriate certificate of proficiency
Extract re DSC Registration
"
Register for an Australian Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, if you own the following types of equipment aboard a recreational or commercial maritime vessel, coast station or SAR Aircraft:
• a Fixed MF/ HF DSC radio
• a Fixed VHF DSC radio
• a handheld VHF DSC radio; or
• AIS Class A or Class B transceiver
REGISTRATION is FREE.
"
Note: in the USA the cost is $20

Seems there's more holes in it than swiss cheese .
Pity really as there are lots of advantages in knowing how to use the marine radio properly.