• On Campus

Course Overview

Code:
MAR30921
Course Type:
Accredited course
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
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Intakes

Course Duration:
5 weeks
Commencing in:
  • 2025

2025 Intake

Intake Date Campus Attendance Days
28/04/2025 SEAMEC Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am-4:00pm
14/07/2025 SEAMEC Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am-4:00pm
05/11/2025 SEAMEC Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am-4:00pm

About this course

Our Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) course equips you with the necessary skills to command, safely and efficiently, a commercial vessel of less than 24 metres within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Australia. On completion of this course, you may obtain a Certificate of Competency as a Master 24m subject to Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requirements.
Our typical Master 24m course delivery consists of the following:
Elements of Shipboard Safety: 3 days
- Safety and Survival at Sea, WHS and Fire Fighting
Master 24m - Block A: 5 days Monday to Friday
- Classroom theory consisting of maritime regulations, navigation, weather and tides
Master 24m - Block B: 5 days Monday to Friday
- Practical week consisting of vessel operation, navigation plan execution, pollution prevention and seamanship
Master 24m - Block C and D: 5 days each Monday to Friday
- Classroom and practical activities in radar and wheelhouse equipment operation, stability, leading and managing others, watchkeeping practices, hull maintenance and slipping.

The Master up to 24 metres (Near Coastal) is a commercial maritime qualification administered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). This certificate allows you to command a commercial vessel up to 24 metres long.
The Master up to 24 metres NC 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 45 metres long within the EEZ or as Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 100 metres long in inshore waters. You can also undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC and Master (Inland waters) NC.
The MAR30921 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) is a key prerequisite for applying to AMSA for the Master up to 24 metres NC Certificate of Competency (CoC).
This course is taught on-campus over five weeks, with classes five days a week. This immersive format ensures you become qualified quickly, allowing you to return to the water and apply your new skills promptly.
The face-to-face nature of this course means you’ll work closely with our expert teachers, who will guide your learning every step of the way, boosting your confidence in applying what you’ve learned.
Go on to study a Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 metres Near Coastal), or a Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal). Both courses will give you specialised skills and help further your employment opportunities in the industry you love.

Career Opportunities

Employment onboard a commercial vessel as a Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal (within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ))

Opportunities for Further Study

MAR40320 - Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 35 metres Near Coastal)

Skills or Knowledge gained

Working with others, vessel maintenance, regulations, navigation, operation of navigation equipment and radars, stability and loading, seamanship.

Entry Requirements

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes

Mandatory entry requirements:

Applicants for Master 24 must be 15 or older.

Recommended entry Requirements:

Individuals intending to complete this qualification must be eligible to submit an application to AMSA for the Certificate of Competency. Requirements include:
- Be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
- Be able to speak and understand English, including written documents
- Be medically fit for the duties, including eyesight by completing a medical examination with a Doctor (GP)
- Gain any needed sea service consisting of:
- With a completed AMSA task book you will need: 120 days of sea service on commercial vessels at least 7.5 metres long
- Without an AMSA task book you will need: 360 days of sea service on vessels at least 7.5 metres long, at least half on commercial vessels and up to half on recreational vessels
- Complete training, including HLTAID011 Provide first aid and LROCP Long range operator certificate of proficiency (marine radio)

Limitations to course Entry:

To be eligible for a Master up to 24 metres near coastal certificate you must:
be at least 16 years of age on the certificate issue date.
meet medical, eyesight, sea service and course requirements.
Students must be able to carry out the following activities:
- Swim with and without a lifejacket
- Carry items up to 12 kg in weight (such as fire extinguishers)
- Be able to embark, disembark and move about a vessel freely
- Be able to hear a watch ticking and meet AMSA eyesight requirements
- Be able to read, speak and understand Engish at a basic level

Minimum Industry Requirement

Not applicable.

Licensing/Regulatory Requirements

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true

This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Master up to 24 metres NC as defined in the Marine Order 505 - Certificates of Competency.
AMSA certification will require:
• Be at least 16 years of age on the certificate issue date.
• Meet medical, eyesight, sea service and course requirements. Check www.amsa.gov.au for more information.
• You need to show you have experience working at sea in a deck, or a deck and engineering capacity, on vessels at least 7.5 metres long. You must have completed either:
o 120 days on commercial vessels with a completed AMSA task book
o 360 days on commercial or recreational vessels without an AMSA task book.
• Completion of the AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA)
• You must hold an appropriate Marine Radio qualification – LROCP as a minimum
• You will also need to hold an appropriate First Aid qualification, currently HLTAID011 Provide first aid.

Qualifications and Recognition - 2025

Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal).

Work Placement - 2025

Does this course require placement?: No

Further Information - 2025

Fees

Fees and charges Government subsidised concession Government subsidised Full-fee paying student
Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) $887.76 $4,438.80 $9,644.80
Materials fee* (GST exempt) $208.00 $208.00 $208.00
Total $1,095.76 $4,646.80 $9,852.80
VET Student Loans

Not Applicable for this course

Important information

Sample course units

BSBLDR301 Support effective workplace relationships
HLTAID011 Provide first aid
MARB029 Perform routine maintenance on a vessel up to 24 metres
MARB030 Slip or dock a vessel and maintain hull on a vessel up to 80 metres
MARF027 Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
MARF028 Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
MARF029 Meet work health and safety requirements
MARF030 Survive at sea using survival craft
MARH015 Manage and maintain a navigational watch on board vessels up to 80 metres
MARH016 Plan and navigate a passage for a vessel up to 80 metres
MARH017 Use wheelhouse equipment for safe navigation
MARI004 Observe regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 80 metres
MARJ007 Monitor environmental management on a vessel
MARK008 Manoeuvre a vessel up to 24 metres within near coastal waters
MARN009 Perform seamanship operations on board a vessel up to 24 metres
Assessment

The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.

You can expect that:

  • assessment methods are clear
  • assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
  • assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
  • educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.