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MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations [Watchkeeper Deck]

National ID
MAR50320
WA Course Code
AC52
CRICOS code
105104H
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Why choose this course?

Get qualified for a career in the maritime industry with this diploma. During your studies you will participate in a range of essential experiences such as fire fighting in simulated environments, practising water survival skills and rescuing others in distress. As part of your studies you will learn how to tie seaman’s knots and hitches to ships in rough waters. 

You will be challenged to develop your ability to lead and manage a crew on any sized vessel. The course includes skills training in instructing the ship's crew on watch keeping, wheelhouse operations, environmental management, routine maintenance, keeping records and logbooks, communications and stability.

This qualification enables you to work as a master or chief mate on vessels less than 500 gross tonnage in any operating area and as watchkeeper deck officer on vessels of any gross tonnage and in any operating area.

With this diploma you are qualified to perform the duties or functions of any of the following:

  • a master on ships less than 24 metres (foreign going);
  • a chief mate on ships with less than 3000 gross tonnage (GT);
  • a watchkeeper deck officer; and
  • a watchkeeper deck officer on ships with less than 3000 gross tonnage (GT).

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.

Please also note that certain units may be conducted at an offsite fire ground and sea rescue facility.

Career opportunities

  • Watchkeeper Deck

  • 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 a Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) or Watchkeeper Deck as defined in Marine Orders and the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The AMSA certification of competency will require you to:

  • have the MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations - Watchkeeper Deck
  • hold or have held certificates of competency as defined in Marine Order 71
  • have qualifying sea service as defined in Marine Order 71
  • have completed STCW short courses as defined in Marine Order 71
  • hold a valid AMSA certificate of medical fitness
  • have a final AMSA assessment pass; and
  • meet any other regulatory requirements as defined in Marine Order 71.

Seafarers seeking certification should check requirements with AMSA.

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: $6,126
  • 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
MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations [Watchkeeper Deck] - AC52
2 semesters
MAR60220 Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations [Master Unlimited] - BFW9
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 22 units. These 22 are comprised of 19 core units and 3 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
  • MARA017 Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability)
  • MARA025 Monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo
  • 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)
  • 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
  • MARH022 Plan and conduct a passage and determine position
  • MARH023 Use of electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation
  • MARH024 Use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation
  • MARJ008 Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • MARK011 Manoeuvre the ship
  • MARN011 Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction)
  • MARO009 Maintain a safe navigational watch
  • MARO012 Transmit and receive information by visual signalling
  • RIIWHS202E Enter and work in a confined space
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MARF032 Apply medical first aid on board ship
  • MARF043 Operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • MARO011 Transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

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, 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: $6,126
  • 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
MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations [Watchkeeper Deck] - AC52
2 semesters
MAR60220 Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations [Master Unlimited] - BFW9
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 22 units. These 22 are comprised of 19 core units and 3 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
  • MARA017 Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability)
  • MARA025 Monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo
  • 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)
  • 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
  • MARH022 Plan and conduct a passage and determine position
  • MARH023 Use of electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation
  • MARH024 Use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation
  • MARJ008 Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • MARK011 Manoeuvre the ship
  • MARN011 Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction)
  • MARO009 Maintain a safe navigational watch
  • MARO012 Transmit and receive information by visual signalling
  • RIIWHS202E Enter and work in a confined space
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MARF032 Apply medical first aid on board ship
  • MARF043 Operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • MARO011 Transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

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, 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 October 31, 2023