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MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering [Engineer Watchkeeper Specialist]

National ID
MAR50120
WA Course Code
AC62
CRICOS code
103426F
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Why choose this course?

Prepare for a career in the maritime industry as an engineer watchkeeper by completing this technically challenging qualification. Improve your employability in the maritime industry as this course offers scope for you to advance to the next higher level qualification.

On successful completion of this course you will be qualified to be chief engineer for larger, more powerful vessels enabling you to perform all of the work required of a marine engine driver. You could also find employment on larger vehicular ferries and tourist vessels or on coastal cargo vessels servicing remote or island communities and some fishing ‘mother-ships’. Further employment options include work on smaller offshore oil and gas supply boats.

Please note the Maritime calendar differs from the standard TAFE WA semester calendar. Semester dates are stated in your Letter of Offer.

This course is a full-time program that is timetabled over 4 to 5 days per week. This means you will have a very heavy study load which will encroach on your personal commitments during weekdays over the course of the program. The timetabled hours per week are essential to ensure all course requirements are met.

Career opportunities

  • Marine Engineer

  • An IELTS score (Academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 6.0 or equivalent.

  • Equivalent to Australian Year 12.

  • Students must have 36 months of sea time to achieve AMSA certification requirements. Please refer to regulatory requirements licensing information listed under additional information.

  • Students must submit a comprehensive Resume outlining their work experiences, employment history and qualifications in order for the application to be assessed for entry into this course.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this qualification:

This qualification meets some of the requirements for certification by the Australian National regulatory body the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as an Engineer Watchkeeper (STCW Engineer Watchkeeper Unlimited).

AMSA certification of competency will require:

  • completing the MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering - Engineer Watchkeeper
  • holding or have held certificates of competency as defined in Marine Order 72
  • qualifying sea service as defined in Marine Order 72
  • completing STCW short courses as defined in Marine Order 72
  • holding a valid AMSA certificate of medical fitness
  • having passed a final AMSA assessment
  • meeting any other regulatory requirements as defined in Marine Order 72

Your study options

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,230
  • Resources fee: $6,566
  • Materials fee: $0

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

Year 12
MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering [Engineer Watchkeeper Specialist] - AC62
2 semesters
MAR60120 Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering [Class 1] [Engineer Class 1 [Motor]] - AC38
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 30 units. These 30 are comprised of 19 core units and 11 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
  • MARF031 Apply leadership and team working capability
  • MARF035 Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • MARF037 Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • MARF041 Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • MARF043 Operate survival craft, rescue boats and life-saving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • MARF044 Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • MARF046 Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • MARF047 Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
  • MARJ008 Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • MARL045 Apply basic principles of naval architecture
  • MARL054 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers
  • MARL055 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary machinery and equipment
  • MARL056 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine control systems and automation
  • MARL057 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine diesel engines and systems
  • MARL058 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine electrical systems
  • MARL060 Demonstrate knowledge of ships and ship routines
  • MARL061 Perform basic marine engineering calculations
  • RIIWHS202E Enter and work in a confined space
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MARA012 Contribute to basic cargo operations on liquefied gas tankers
  • MARA013 Contribute to basic cargo operations on oil and chemical tankers (basic oil and chemical)
  • MARB038 Maintain and repair marine electrical and electronic equipment
  • MARB039 Maintain and repair shipboard machinery and equipment
  • MARB044 Operate and maintain ship power systems exceeding 1,000 volts
  • MARC046 Employ tools, equipment and materials in a shipboard context
  • MARF032 Apply medical first aid on board ship
  • MARL042 Apply basic principles of marine electrotechnology
  • MARL043 Apply basic principles of marine engineering thermodynamics
  • MARL044 Apply basic principles of marine mechanics
  • MARL059 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine steam turbines and main boilers

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written or oral questioning to demonstrate the student’s knowledge, projects to demonstrate skills and knowledge such as developing workplace plans and operational procedures, preparing reports and practical demonstration of skills including role plays to demonstrate management of people performance, communications skills in meetings and making presentations to senior management.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is provided in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments are spread across the duration of the course rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, Lecturer developed PowerPoint presentations, handouts, workbooks, text books, compass and divider set, stationery and class sets of Nories Nautical Tables. 

Facilities and equipment may include access to South Metro TAFE’s maritime vessels ‘Brockman’ and ‘The Image’, access to navigational simulators, engine room simulators and stability simulators and full equipped classrooms.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 2 semesters
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $12,230
  • Resources fee: $6,566
  • Materials fee: $0

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

Year 12
MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering [Engineer Watchkeeper Specialist] - AC62
2 semesters
MAR60120 Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering [Class 1] [Engineer Class 1 [Motor]] - AC38
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 30 units. These 30 are comprised of 19 core units and 11 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
  • MARF031 Apply leadership and team working capability
  • MARF035 Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • MARF037 Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • MARF041 Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • MARF043 Operate survival craft, rescue boats and life-saving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • MARF044 Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • MARF046 Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • MARF047 Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
  • MARJ008 Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • MARL045 Apply basic principles of naval architecture
  • MARL054 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers
  • MARL055 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary machinery and equipment
  • MARL056 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine control systems and automation
  • MARL057 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine diesel engines and systems
  • MARL058 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine electrical systems
  • MARL060 Demonstrate knowledge of ships and ship routines
  • MARL061 Perform basic marine engineering calculations
  • RIIWHS202E Enter and work in a confined space
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MARA012 Contribute to basic cargo operations on liquefied gas tankers
  • MARA013 Contribute to basic cargo operations on oil and chemical tankers (basic oil and chemical)
  • MARB038 Maintain and repair marine electrical and electronic equipment
  • MARB039 Maintain and repair shipboard machinery and equipment
  • MARB044 Operate and maintain ship power systems exceeding 1,000 volts
  • MARC046 Employ tools, equipment and materials in a shipboard context
  • MARF032 Apply medical first aid on board ship
  • MARL042 Apply basic principles of marine electrotechnology
  • MARL043 Apply basic principles of marine engineering thermodynamics
  • MARL044 Apply basic principles of marine mechanics
  • MARL059 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine steam turbines and main boilers

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written or oral questioning to demonstrate the student’s knowledge, projects to demonstrate skills and knowledge such as developing workplace plans and operational procedures, preparing reports and practical demonstration of skills including role plays to demonstrate management of people performance, communications skills in meetings and making presentations to senior management.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is provided in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments are spread across the duration of the course rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, Lecturer developed PowerPoint presentations, handouts, workbooks, text books, compass and divider set, stationery and class sets of Nories Nautical Tables. 

Facilities and equipment may include access to South Metro TAFE’s maritime vessels ‘Brockman’ and ‘The Image’, access to navigational simulators, engine room simulators and stability simulators and full equipped classrooms.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process page for detailed advice

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on May 15, 2023