This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification applies to people working in the maritime industry seeking an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification in the capacity of:
- Master up to 100 metres Near Coastal
- Master up to 500 gross tonnage (GT)
- Watchkeeper Deck
Please note: RTO to insert on the testamur the job role and specialisation, if applicable, selected from the group choice below.
Duties and Functions
Duties and functions for which AMSA certificate of competency is required are listed in the MAR Maritime Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this qualification:
This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Master up to 100 metres Near Coastal as specified in Marine Order 505.
AMSA certification of competency will require:
- MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master up to 100 metres Near Coastal) or completing an approved program of study that meets Master up to 100 metres course at Diploma level
- certificates of competency as specified in Marine Order 505.
- short range operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP) issued by ACMA (or higher qualification)
- qualifying sea service as specified in Marine Order 505
- meeting the medical requirements specified in Marine Order 505
- having passed final AMSA assessment specified in Marine Order 505
- meeting regulatory requirements as specified in Marine Order 505.
This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Master of a commercial vessel up to 500 GT as specified in Marine Orders and STCW.
AMSA certification of competency will require:
- MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations (Masters up to 500 GT) or completing an approved program of study that meets regulations STCW A-II/1 and A-II/2
- certificates of competency as specified in Marine Order 71
- qualifying sea service as specified in Marine Order 71
- completing STCW short courses as specified in Marine Order 71
- meeting the medical fitness requirements specified in Marine Order 71
- having passed final AMSA assessment
- meeting regulatory requirements as specified in Marine Order 71.
This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Watchkeeper Deck as specified in Marine Orders and STCW.
AMSA certification of competency will require:
- MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck) or completing an approved program of study that meets regulation STCW A-II/I
- certificates of competency as specified in Marine Order 71
- qualifying sea service as specified in Marine Order 71
- completing STCW short courses as specified in Marine Order 71
- meeting the medical fitness requirements specified in Marine Order 71
- having passed final AMSA assessment as specified in Marine Order 71
- meeting regulatory requirements as specified in Marine Order 71.
Seafarers seeking certification should check requirements with AMSA.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are available
See training providers offering VET Student Loans -
You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply leadership and team working capability | Core |
| Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting) | Core |
| Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements | Core |
| Enter and work in confined spaces | Core |
| Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training) | Core |
| Maintain a safe navigational watch | Core |
| Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction) | Core |
| Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability) | Core |
| Manoeuvre the ship | Core |
| Monitor compliance with legislative requirements | Core |
| Monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo | Core |
| Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR) | Core |
| Plan and conduct a passage and determine position | Core |
| Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting) | Core |
| Provide First Aid | Core |
| Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST) | Core |
| Transmit and receive information by visual signalling | Core |
| Use of electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation | Core |
| Use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation | Core |
| Adjust a magnetic compass | Elective |
| Apply command navigation procedures on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations | Elective |
| Apply elements of magnetic compass adjusting | Elective |
| Apply knowledge of dynamic positioning fundamentals | Elective |
| Apply knowledge of dynamic positioning operations | Elective |
| Apply knowledge of dynamic positioning systems | Elective |
| Apply knowledge of the principles of magnetic compass adjusting | Elective |
| Apply medical first aid on board ship | Elective |
| Assist with marine towage operations | Elective |
| Carry out fast rescue craft operations | Elective |
| Conduct dynamic positioning operations | Elective |
| Contribute to basic operations of a ship subject to IGF Code | Elective |
| Contribute to basic operations of ships in polar waters | Elective |
| Manage a vessel and its crew | Elective |
| Manage advanced chemical tanker cargo operations | Elective |
| Manage advanced liquefied gas tanker cargo operations | Elective |
| Manage advanced oil tanker cargo operations | Elective |
| Manage advanced operations of a ship subject to IGF Code | Elective |
| Manage advanced operations of ships in polar waters | Elective |
| Manage business and administration on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations | Elective |
| Manage operations and maintenance on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations | Elective |
| Manage provision of medical care on board a vessel | Elective |
| Manage ship security (Ship Security Officer) | Elective |
| Manoeuvre and handle a ship in all conditions | Elective |
| Monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements | Elective |
| Operate roll-on and roll-off machinery and equipment on board a vessel | Elective |
| Operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft) | Elective |
| Perform marine towage operations | Elective |
| Plan marine towage operations | Elective |
| Transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) | Elective |
Job prospects
The Diploma of Maritime Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Master Fisher
ANZSCO 231211
Master Fishers control fishing vessels and fishing operations to catch and preserve fish, crustacea and molluscs.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Marine Engineer
ANZSCO 231212
Marine Engineers control and manage the operation and maintenance of ship's plants and equipment.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Ship's Master
ANZSCO 231213
Ship's Masters control and manage the operation of ships or boats.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Ship's Officer
ANZSCO 231214
Ship's Officers navigate and control the safe operation of ships and supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crew.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Marine Surveyor
ANZSCO 231215
Marine Surveyors survey machines and hulls of ships to ensure they are constructed, equipped and maintained according to safety standards, rules and regulations laid down by marine authorities.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Other Marine Transport Professional
ANZSCO 231299
Other Marine Transport Professionals includes jobs like Boating Safety Officer, Marine Safety Officer, and Vessel Traffic Officer.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Deck Hand
ANZSCO 899211
Deck Hands perform maintenance and lookout tasks aboard ships.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Diploma of Maritime Operations
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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ECA Maritime College (RTO code 31344)
Contact this provider
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Contact this provider
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University of Tasmania (RTO code 60131)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.