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Maritime Studies

Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)

National ID: MAR20321 | State ID: BHD0

Coxswain's can gain employment in the small vessel sector in commercial workboats, fisheries, fishing, tourism and aquaculture.

This qualification is suitable for people who want to command and operate the engines of a vessel less than 12 metres long with unlimited outboard engine propulsion, or inboard engines less than 500 kilowatts. 

  • In inshore waters (refer to National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part B—General requirements) or designated waters (under state or territory waterway management legislation).
  • As a tender or auxiliary vessel operating within 3 nautical miles of a parent vessel within the exclusive economic zone.

Gain these skills

  • perform basic servicing and maintenance of main propulsion unit and auxiliary systems
  • operate inboard and outboard motors
  • operate main propulsion unit and auxiliary systems
  • apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
  • follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
  • survive at sea using survival craft
  • follow environmental work practices
  • plan and navigate a passage for a vessel up to 12 metres
  • apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

This qualification is suitable for people who work as a Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal in the maritime industry and Command a Commercial Marine Vessel which is up to 12 meters in length. The propulsion power must be unlimited for an outboard engine or up to 500 kW for an inboard engine.  Vessel: inshore or as a tender or auxiliary vessel within 3 nautical miles (nm) of a parent vessel within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Further Study Option(s)

Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal), State ID BDU4

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master less than 500 GT)

National ID: MAR50320 | State ID: AC53

This certificate enables you to work as a Master or Chief mate on vessels less than 500 gross tonnage in any operating area and as Watchkeeper deck officer on vessels of any gross tonnage and in any operating area.

Gain these skills:

  • maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability)
  • monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo
  • apply leadership and team working capability
  • contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • plan and conduct a passage and determine position
  • use of electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation
  • ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction)

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Ship's Master

Further Study Option(s)

Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited)

Become a specialist in your field with university study

The information about university credit points and tuition costs provides a general guide only. SM TAFE recommends students discuss credit points with the university or college of their choice at the time of graduation.

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Diploma of Marine Engineering (Engineer Watchkeeper Specialist)

National ID: MAR50120 | State ID: AC62

This qualification is suitable for people who work in the maritime industry as an Engineer Watchkeeper on a seagoing ship powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power in any operating area. This qualification is currently cited as meeting some of the requirements for certification as an Engineer Watchkeeper by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). People seeking certification should check requirements with AMSA.

Gain these skills:

  • apply leadership and team working capability
  • contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • apply basic principles of naval architecture
  • demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary machinery and equipment
  • demonstrate knowledge of ships and ship routines

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Marine Engineer

Further Study Option(s)

Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1) (Engineer Class 1 (Motor))

Become a specialist in your field with university study

The information about university credit points and tuition costs provides a general guide only. SM TAFE recommends students discuss credit points with the university or college of their choice at the time of graduation.

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal)

National ID: MAR30921 | State ID: BHD2

This qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to safely operate a commercial vessel of less than 24 metres in length within offshore limits. You will learn skills in shipboard safety, navigation, ship knowledge and vessel operations.

This certificate will allow you to work as:

  • Master on commercial vessels up to 24 metres long within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
  • Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 35 metres long within the EEZ
  • Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 80 metres long in inshore waters

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Deck Hand

Fishing Hand

Further Study Option(s)

Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 35 metres Near Coastal)

Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck)

Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master less than 500 GT)

Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited)

  • This qualification is suitable for people who work as a Master Under 24M Near Coastal in the maritime industry and Command a Commercial Marine Vessel which is up to 24 meters in length. The propulsion power must be unlimited for an outboard engine or up to 500 kW for an inboard engine.
  • Vessel: inshore or as a tender or auxiliary vessel within 3 nautical miles (nm) of a parent vessel within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal)

National ID: MAR30821 | State ID: BHC8

This qualification applies to people working in maritime industry seeking an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certificate of competency in the capacity of:
- chief engineer on vessels with an inboard engine with propulsion power <750 kW within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or
- second engineer on vessels with an inboard engine with propulsion power <1500 kW within the EEZ or
- chief or second engineer on vessels with an outboard engine with unlimited propulsion power within the EEZ or
- assistant under direct supervision of a chief engineer or
- worker in an engine room of a vessel <80 m long with propulsion power <3000 kW.

Gain these skills

  • maintain marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems
  • undertake basic maintenance of electrical systems
  • complete engine room tasks
  • maintain hull out of water
  • operate and maintain extra low and low voltage electrical systems and equipment
  • operate deck machinery
  • operate marine internal combustion engines, and propulsion and auxiliary systems
  • operate electrical systems
  • apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
  • meet work health and safety requirements
  • survive at sea using survival craft

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

This qualification is aligned to the educational requirement for Certification as a Marine Engine Driver Grade II as described in Part D of the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV)

Further Study Option(s)

Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal)

Diploma of Marine Engineering (Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal)

Diploma of Marine Engineering (Engineer Watchkeeper Specialist)

Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1) (Engineer Class 1 (Motor))

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited)

National ID: MAR60220 | State ID: BFW9

his certificate allows you to perform the duties or functions of Master, Chief mate or Watchkeeper deck officer on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area.

Holding a Watchkeeper deck or Master less than 500 GT certificate of competency may allow you to receive up to 15 units credit or recognition of prior learning with continued sea service and competencies. This may potentially reduce the duration of the course up to 14 weeks.

This qualification runs for a duration between 27 and 40 weeks. 

Gain these skills

  • manage trim, stability and stress of a vessel
  • manage reported defects, damage, repairs and maintenance of a vessel
  • apply medical first aid on board ship
  • coordinate search and rescue operations
  • follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST
  • manage a vessel and its crew
  • forecast weather and oceanographic conditions to plan a safe passage
  • use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation
  • transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Marine Transport Professional

Further Study Option(s)

The information about university credit points and tuition costs provides a general guide only. SM TAFE recommends students discuss credit points with the university or college of their choice at the time of graduation.

This course has a study pathway with the Australian Maritime College(opens in a new tab)   as of November 2021.

Australian Maritime College - Bachelor of Applied Science Nautical Science - two core units and four elective units, delivered in Launceston or online

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1)( Engineering Class 1 Motor)

National ID: MAR60120 | State ID: AC38

This qualification is suitable for people who work as an Engineer Class 1 in the maritime industry on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power in any operating area. This qualification forms some of the requirements for certification by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as an Engineer Class 1 as described in Marine Orders 70-73 (2014) under the Navigation Act 2012. People seeking certification should check requirements with AMSA.

Required short courses: 

  • Medical First Aid
  • Proficiency in Survival Craft
  • Advanced Fire Fighting

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Marine Engineer

Further Study Option(s)

Become a specialist in your field with university study

The information about university credit points and tuition costs provides a general guide only. SM TAFE recommends students discuss credit points with the university or college of their choice at the time of graduation.

Australian Maritime College

This course has a study pathway with the Australian Maritime College(opens in a new tab)   as of November 2021.

  • Australian Maritime College - Bachelor of Applied Science (Marine Engineering) - two core units and four elective units, delivered in Launceston or online

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck)

National ID: MAR50320 | State ID: AC52

Ready to navigate your crew through rough or smooth seas? Further advance your maritime career and become a highly skilled specialist in a supervisory role.

This course will qualify you to work in international waters as a:

  • Master or Chief Mate on vessels less than 500 gross tonnage in any operating area; and
  • Watchkeeper deck officer on vessels of any gross tonnage and in any operating area.
  • Master and chief mate on ships less than 3000 gross tonnage in near coastal waters.
  • Able seafarer - deck

Gain these skills:

  • maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability)
  • monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo
  • contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • plan and conduct a passage and determine position
  • use of electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation
  • use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation
  • manoeuvre the ship
  • maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction)

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Ship's Master

Further Study Option(s)

Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited)

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Diploma of Marine Engineering Engineering Class 3 (near Coastal)

National ID: MAR50120 | State ID: AC31

Combine your passion for machines and engines with the marine industry and pursue your career as a chief engineer or second engineer on a vessel.

Be guided by our team of expert lecturers as you gain extensive practical experience in knowledge of marine systems and machinery as well as naval architecture. You’ll learn shipboard safety from fire prevention and firefighting to operating survival craft, providing first aid, and leadership techniques.

We also offer courses that have been approved by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

On completion of this Diploma, you’ll become eligible to apply for your certificate of competency engineer class 3 (near coastal) and gain the licensing to become a chief engineer or second engineer on appropriate ships in Australian waters.

Please visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website for details regarding required sea service and additional requirements.

Gain these skills

  • apply leadership and team working capability
  • contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • monitor compliance with legislative requirements
  • ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • apply basic principles of naval architecture
  • demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers
  • demonstrate basic knowledge of marine electrical systems

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Marine Engineer

Further Study Option(s)

Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1) (Engineer Class 1 (Motor))

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 metres Near Coastal)

National ID: MAR40320 | State ID: BFW3

Progress to the next level in maritime operations and navigate your career towards your dream job at sea.

This course will qualify you to work as a:

  • Master on commercial vessels up to 45 metres long within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
  • Master on vessels up to 80 metres long in inshore waters.
  • Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 80 metres long within the EEZ.

Gain these skills:

  • manage loading, discharging and stowing of cargo
  • manage vessel stability
  • slip or dock a vessel and maintain hull on a vessel up to 80 metres
  • plan and supervise routine maintenance on a vessel up to 80 metres
  • manage a propulsion unit using appropriate engine systems and support services
  • monitor and manage vessel operations
  • operate deck machinery and steering gear on a vessel up to 80 metres
  • apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
  • follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
  • meet work health and safety requirements
  • manage and maintain a navigational watch on board vessels up to 80 metres
  • manoeuvre a vessel up to 80 metres

Your qualification prepares you for roles such as:

Ship's Masters

Further Study Option(s)

Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck)

Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master less than 500 GT)

Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited)

Course overview

 logoView this course on 's website

  • Not competitive
  • No selection criteria
Location Duration Competitive Selection criteria
No No selection criteria

Please contact the college to receive an indicative price for this course.

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