IF you have experience working on ocean going vessels, including commercial fishing ships, this qualification will allow you to work as Master on commercial vessels up to 45 metres long within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ); Master on vessels up to 80 metres long in inshore waters; or Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 80 metres long within the EEZ.
You'll learn about crew management, as well as a range of other units including fire survival, onboard health and safety, loading, discharging and stowing of cargo, how to slip or dock a vessel and maintain hull on a vessel up to 80 metres; use wheelhouse equipment, plan and navigate a passage for a vessel up to 80 metres; and more!
This course remains FEE FREE in 2024! No course fees apply!
Choose a WA TAFE college that delivers this course
To find out more about doing this course at a WA TAFE college, select one of the TAFEs listed below to read their course descriptions. You'll also be able to see at which TAFE campus/es the course is delivered.
If you would like further information such as when the course is available and how to enrol, and details of course fees, or if you have questions about how the course is delivered, please follow the Find out more link to go to the TAFE's website where you will find full course details and contact information so that you can speak to the TAFE directly.
Fancy a life at sea?
This qualification is suitable for people who work as a Master IV Near Coastal skipper in the maritime industry. This qualification is suitable for those sailing as Master on vessels up to 45 metres in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or a Mate on vessels up to 100 metres in length.
You will gain the following skills:
- Handling cargo
- Applying vessel stability knowledge
- Checking and maintaining equipment
- Manoeuvring vessels
- Communicating effectively in a marine environment
- Applying survival skills at sea
- Navigating a safe passage, and
- Applying ship structural knowledge.
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).
- Master on vessels up to 100 metres long in inshore waters
- Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 100 metres long within the EEZ.
- Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC
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, the SM TAFE 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.
The information presented on the course lists within this website is provided to the Department of Training and Workforce Development by the WA TAFE colleges and private training providers, and is offered as a guide only. It is updated regularly, however some changes to details may occur in between updates. You should always contact the TAFE or private training provider directly to confirm details and/or ask questions.