Advance to one of the top tier roles in the maritime industry and become a Chief Marine Engineer in international waters.
Forge your career in marine engineering and be guided by our expert team of lecturers who are maritime specialists, as you learn to lead the operations of engine room machinery and all engineering equipment throughout a vessel, to ensure a safe and smooth journey at sea.
Grow practical knowledge of how to operate and maintain ship power systems exceeding 1,000 volts; apply advanced principles of marine electrotechnology, mechanics and control systems, learn managing safety of a vessel, crew and passengers and grow your leadership and managerial capability.
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.
Visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website(opens in a new tab) for details regarding required sea service and certification requirements.
Learn in specialist facilities
Situated in the port city of Fremantle, SM TAFE’s Fremantle campus includes some of the most comprehensive facilities for training in the country, with advanced training equipment and highly experienced and qualified lecturing staff. SM TAFE’s maritime training integrates simulator technology, a fleet of three vessels, biological and computing laboratories, along with engineering, seamanship and aquaculture workshops.
You can learn real-world skills in the ship, bridge and engineering simulator training suite and become job ready for your role. The technology used features the most advanced mathematical modelling and shipping databases in the world and the hardware replicates the current equipment installed on seagoing ships.
- operate and maintain ship power systems exceeding 1,000 volts
- monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements
- manage safety and security of vessel, crew and passengers
- provide leadership and managerial capability
- apply advanced principles of marine electrotechnology
- apply advanced principles of marine engineering thermodynamics
- apply advanced principles of marine mechanics
- demonstrate advanced knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers
- demonstrate advanced knowledge of marine control systems and automation
- demonstrate advanced knowledge of marine electrical systems
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where the jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative, from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2025 you'll only pay half the course fees, capped for each year at $1,200; or $400 (plus resource fee) if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more
This course is a VET Student Loan eligible course. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible.
To find out if you are eligible or to see the list of eligible courses visit our Student Loans page.
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| Completion of WACE General or ATAR (Minimum C Grades) or equivalent | Completion of WACE General or ATAR or equivalent (minimum C Grades) | Certificate III |
Prospective students should hold a Diploma of Marine Engineering (Engineer Watchkeeper).
Attendance in class
This course is delivered in class over 2 semesters.
At-home study
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 2 hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research.
You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
Work placement
Work placement is not a requirement of this course.
What you need
On your first day you should bring your SM TAFE confirmation enrolment receipt, your student ID, stationery (pen, pencil, exercise book, eraser, folder for notebooks and handouts) and wear enclosed footwear.
Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.
SM TAFE has key maritime connections which give students strong employability opportunities in oil and gas, shipbuilding and defence industries, alongside partnerships with Shell, Rio Tinto, Royal Oman Police, MMA Offshore Marine, BHP, INPEX and Australian Offshore Solutions.
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
| Unit code | Unit name | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| JND307 (core) | Human Factors and Risk Management in the Maritime Industry | Semester 1 |
| JNB359 (core) | Transport Research Project | Semester 2 |
| JNB225 | Logistics Management | Semester 1 |
| JNB364 | International Freight Management | Semester 1 |
| JNB357 | Global Procurement | Semester 1 |
| JNB330 | Supply Chain Management | Semester 2 |
| JNB204 | Port and Terminal Management | Semester 2 |
| JNB258 | Warehousing and Distribution | Semester 2 |
Select your preferred campus and apply
Click on your preferred campus and study mode below to get started with your application.
Semester 1, 2023
Fremantle - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Fremantle | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.
Semester 2, 2023
Fremantle - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Fremantle | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.