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11 months
Feb 2026
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Newcastle (Tighes Hill), NSW, Australia
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
ASQA
Professional Body
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
AMSA
Course Content
Plan and conduct a passage and determine position
Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation
Use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation
Manoeuvre the ship
Maintain a safe navigational watch
Transmit and receive information by visual signalling
Monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo
Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction)
Provide First Aid
Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability)
Apply leadership and team working capability
Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
Enter and work in confined spaces
Apply medical first aid on board ship
Specialty unit
Operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
Specialty unit
Transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Specialty unit
Common Questions
Upon completing this course, you will be eligible to apply for a master less than 500 gross tonnage vessel certificate of competency through the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
The course fee is $26,650 AUD. Additional costs for uniforms, equipment, textbooks and materials range from $300 to $1,000 AUD per course.
Newcastle Maritime offers a range of training facilities including an AMSA-approved ship's bridge simulator, modern classrooms, a campus library with maritime hard copy and e-resources, an Olympic-sized swimming pool for survival practical, and firefighting facilities for situations relating to emergency procedures.
You will build practical experience in survival skills such as life jacket techniques, jumping from heights, helping others in distress, abandoning a vessel and onboard firefighting; handling a survival craft through rough sea conditions; and seamanship skills including identifying and applying knots and hitches to tether a ship.
This qualification could help you prepare for roles such as Watchkeeper, Deck Officer on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area, Junior Officer, 3rd Deck Officer, and 2nd Deck Officer.
Application
Three simple steps to get enrolled
Step 01
Enquire
Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Step 02
Submit Documents
Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.
Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
Honestly I was lost when I first started looking at Australian colleges. There are just too many options and every agent gives you different info. A friend told me about FindTheCourses and within a week I had shortlisted 3 programs that actually matched my budget and visa situation. My advisor Sanjay was super helpful — never felt like I was being pushed into anything.
Priya Sharma
India
Master of Nursing · Griffith University
