Who We Are
Top Gear Training is a locally owned and operated training business based in Broome, Western Australia, built on practical experience, real-world knowledge, and a genuine passion for helping people build confidence in new environments.
For more than 12 years, Top Gear Training has delivered professional driver and marine training throughout the Kimberley region, specialising in Recreational Skipper’s Tickets, HR Driver Training & Licensing, and hands-on adventure experiences.
Founded by Matt Western, the business draws on over 20 years of experience in the offshore oil and gas industry, where safety, leadership and operational excellence were part of everyday life. Working in high-risk offshore environments developed a strong foundation in emergency response, risk management and practical training — principles that continue to shape every course delivered today.
At Top Gear Training, learning is designed to be practical, supportive and experience-based. Rather than relying heavily on classroom theory, courses focus on real-world conditions and hands-on learning, helping students feel comfortable, capable and confident from day one.
Whether it’s learning to safely operate a boat, achieving an HR truck licence, or building confidence through adventure-based experiences, every course is designed to create capable, confident individuals with skills they can apply long after training is complete.
Top Gear Training combines industry-level safety standards with a relaxed, local approach — creating an environment where students feel supported while gaining valuable real-world skills.
At its core, Top Gear Training is about more than licences and certifications. It’s about building confidence, creating positive experiences, and giving people the skills to safely enjoy the road, the water, and the outdoors.
Based in Broome, Top Gear Training proudly operates throughout the Kimberley region, with strong ties to the local community and a deep appreciation for the lifestyle and environment that make the area unique.
Meet Matt Western
Matt Western is the founder and lead instructor at Top Gear Training, bringing more than 20 years of offshore oil and gas industry experience into practical driver and marine training.
Highly trained in emergency response and safety leadership, Matt also served as a coxswain of survival craft offshore, responsible for safely managing crews during emergency situations at sea. This background has shaped the calm, practical and safety-first approach students experience throughout their training.
Growing up on the Murray River in South Australia’s Riverland, Matt spent much of his childhood fishing, water skiing, repairing boats and exploring life on the water — experiences that sparked a lifelong passion for boating, adventure and the outdoors.
As a qualified Workplace Trainer and Assessor, Matt has spent more than a decade helping people develop new skills, gain confidence and achieve licences in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Whether teaching someone to drive a truck, operate a boat for the first time, or experience a new water sport, Matt’s goal remains the same: to make learning practical, enjoyable and confidence-building.