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).
- Mate on vessels up to 100 metres long within the EEZ.
Be guided by our team of expert lecturers as you expand on your current maritime knowledge and gain a practical specialised skillset in monitoring and managing the operation of a vessel. You'll learn techniques to lead a small crew as well as safety onboard and operating survival craft in an emergency. Be trained in fundamentals such as planning a voyage and weather forecasting, discharging and stowing of cargo, managing seaworthiness of a vessel up to 80m, and manoeuvring a vessel up to 80m.
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.
Visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website for details regarding sea service and certification requirements.
Take the next step in your seafaring career and become a skilled maritime professional.
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 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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| C Grades in Year 11 WACE General English, and OLNA; or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 11 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate II or Certificate III |
Candidates are expected to hold an AMSA Elements of Shipboard Safety certificate including HLTAID003 Provide First Aid prior to entry and a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master less than 24 meters near coastal) qualification prior to entry into this qualification.
In addition to successful completion of Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 metres Near Coastal), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requires students to successfully complete each of the following to be issued with a new certificate of competency:
- be at least 16 years old
- meet medical and eyesight test requirements
- completed AMSA approved task book or have qualifying sea service
- long Range Operator certificate of Proficiency or equivalent
- pass a final assessment at an AMSA office
Refer to the following information provided on the AMSA website(opens in a new tab) for further details.
New students who have not studied MAR30921 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) must apply instead for the lower level qualification due to pre-requisite skills/knowledge requirements. Students that have already completed MAR30921 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) are eligible to apply for a credit transfer to reduce the study load and overall course cost.
Attendance in class
This course is 5 days per week when studied full time across eight weeks.
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.
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
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.
Learners are not able to gain employment with this qualification (obtain a Certificate of Competency from AMSA) unless they have operated in the capacity of a Master less than 24mNC for 600 days, or for 180 days with an approved task book completed. The Master less than 24mNC requires a Certificate III in Marine Operations and therefore is the pathway into this Certificate IV.
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.
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 | 1 Semester | ||||||||
| 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.