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
Please note this course is delivered in two parts, the theory component is delivered online and the practical component is delivered on campus. You will be required be on campus for 5 weeks if you need to complete the Elements of Shipboard Safety (ESS), if you have already completed the ESS you will be required to be on campus for 4 weeks.
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.
- support effective workplace relationships
- provide First Aid
- perform routine maintenance on a vessel up to 24 metres
- slip or dock a vessel and maintain hull 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
- survive at sea using survival craft
- manage and maintain a navigational watch on board vessels up to 80 metres
- use wheelhouse equipment for safe navigation
- monitor environmental management on a vessel
This course is FREE from 1 January 2023. The course fees are 100 per cent subsidised by the WA State Government for WA residents.
Some eligibility conditions apply for the free training, and other fees may apply for some courses. Please see the FAQs on our Skills Ready page for further information.
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 10 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate I or Certificate II |
- Students must be at least 16 years of age to commence this course
- Prospective students should preferably hold a Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal).
In addition to successful completion of Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requires students to successfully complete the following to be issued with a new certificate of competency:
- Complete an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA)
Refer to the following information for the AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA). (opens in a new tab) People seeking certification should contact the marine regulators, Australian Maritime Safety Authority(opens in a new tab) .
Attendance in class
This course is 5 days per week when studied full time. Students will be provided theory content to study self-paced, then attend practical sessions for 4 weeks, plus 4 days for those who need to complete their ESS certificate.
At-home study
As well as any in-class component required, you will need to complete additional study each week, 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
When attending campus for practical study 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.
In addition, the following dress requirements/PPE is required during practical attendance:
- Safety steel-capped work boots must be worn in engineering facilities. 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
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.
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Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 metres Near Coastal)
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Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck)
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Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master less than 500 GT)
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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)
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 - Online and On Campus
| Duration | 9 Weeks | ||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2023 | ||||||||
| Where | Fremantle | ||||||||
| How | Online and 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.