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
2022 dates
Semester 2, 2022
- Course starts 10 October
- Elements of Shipboard Safety is included in this course and will be 7 to 10 November
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
| 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 equivalent to 5 days per week when studied full time across nine weeks.
At-home study
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 8 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.
In addition, the following dress requirements/PPE is required at all classes:
- 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
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.
-
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)
Study options and next steps
Click on your preferred study mode below to get started with your application.
Semester 1
Fremantle - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 9 Weeks | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Fremantle | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE including rules around refunds and withdrawals.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
* Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course in any one calendar year. The annual fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities. Fully online students are not expected to pay a CDF as they do not attract on campus costs.
Semester 2
Fremantle - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 9 Weeks | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Fremantle | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE including rules around refunds and withdrawals.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
* Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course in any one calendar year. The annual fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities. Fully online students are not expected to pay a CDF as they do not attract on campus costs.