Take command of your maritime career, become a master of the seas and rise to the top as the ship's most responsible officer.
This course will allow you to work in international waters as a:
- Master, Chief mate or Watchkeeper deck officer on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area.
Note that 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.
Be guided by our expert team of lecturers as you build an advanced specialist skillset in how to manage a vessel of any size, and step up to be responsible for the stability and handling of the vessel and the safety of those onboard. You'll develop leadership qualities as you learn to direct a crew and plan your voyage by forecasting weather and maintaining safety of navigation. You'll also be trained in high level security procedures as well as how to coordinate search and rescue operations, survive at sea and operate survival craft.
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.
Gain an advanced maritime qualification for international waters and the world is your oyster!
Visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website for details regarding sea service and certification requirements.
Study in specialist facilities
Situated in the port city of Fremantle, SM TAFE’s Fremantle campus includes some of the most comprehensive facilities for maritime 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.
- 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)
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 one of the following:
- A Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck) or
- A Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master less than 500 GT) or
- A Master less than 80 metres near coastal.
In addition to successful completion of Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requires students to successfully complete each of the following to be issued with a new certificate of competency:
- Meet medical test requirements
- Completed qualifying sea service as an officer in charge of a navigational watch in accordance with AMSA requirements, see link below.
- Pass a final assessment at an AMSA office
People seeking certification should contact the marine regulators, Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Phone: (02) 6279 5000 (8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday EST) or visit the website(opens in a new tab) .
Attendance in class
This course is 5 days per week when studied full time across two semesters.
At-home study
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 3 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).
Components of some units are delivered at ERGT and ECU, so attendance at their facility may require additional PPE. Details will be provided by your lecturer.
Minimum dress standards apply to campus and ERGT attendance:
- safety steel-capped work boots must be worn during engineering classes. Heavy leather uppers and heavy duty soles.
- no sand shoe volley type of footwear allowed (even with steel caps)
- overalls during engineering classes
- water, food, hat and sunscreen for boat days
Fremantle Campus does not have a cafeteria but has basic kitchen facilities (kettle, microwave, fridge).
Parking is available but please ensure apprentices arrive early on the first day to organise parking permit at the Customer Service counter.
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.
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 Nautical Science - 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 |
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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.