Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master less than 500 GT)

handle a ship in all conditions

manage a vessel and its crew

follow all relevant maritime laws and operations

supervise and direct others conducting safe navigational watches in a range of conditions

take command during emergencies by directing and coordinating the crew

coordinate and provide first aid and medical care onboard a vessel.

A nationally accredited qualification at a diploma level.

Eligibility to apply for a Master less than 500 gross tonnage vessel certificate of competency (and other certificates) through the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

A selection of AMSA-approved STCW short courses.

Command-level skills in bridge simulator exercises including decision making, crew coordination and management of challenging situations.

Advanced skills to command and manage all shipboard operations including firefighting and emergency responses.

You must attend an online interview with a teacher to assess your suitability for the course.

You must show evidence that you have completed seagoing experience gained through one of the AMSA‑recognised sea service pathways for Master less than 500 gross tonnage. This should include service as an officer in charge of a navigational watch on voyages of 24 hours duration. This experience must have taken place on vessels as specified by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and completed while holding appropriate AMSA‑recognised certificates.

you must attend all face-to-face and online classes as per the timetable

you must participate in all critical training and practical assessments

you must demonstrate correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

you must bring the required PPE as instructed

you must follow all operational instructions.

a commitment to attend the full course, including all face-to-face and online classes

a master less than 45 metres near coastal certificate, a master less than 100 metres near coastal certificate of competency or equivalent experience

the ability to supply your own personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety shoes and protective clothing

the ability to supply your own navigation and plotting equipment including a scientific calculator, parallel rulers, compasses and dividers

current math skills at a Year 10 high school level

strong communication skills and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds

the ability to work in rough sea conditions

the ability to follow instructions and respect the chain of command

the ability to perform physically and mentally demanding work in all weather conditions, day and night

experience leading others on board, such as supervising crew or taking charge of operations

confidence making decisions, especially in difficult or unexpected situations

understanding how the whole vessel runs, including safety rules, procedures, and legal responsibilities

an understanding of the AMSA requirements for STCW course completion. For more information, contact AMSA Connect or ask us in your enrolment interview.

After completing this course, there are additional steps to obtain your AMSA certification. These requirements are not included in the course and will incur additional costs.

You take charge of your learning and can finish tasks on time by yourself.

You can understand documents you see often in everyday life.

You can write short sentences and paragraphs that others can understand.

You can use maths to work out more detailed problems in different settings.

You can join group sand share your ideas clearly.

You can use digital tools to do everyday tasks like writing or finding information.

TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This helps us understand your individual study needs and design a personalised plan to support your study success.