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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Maritime Operations

This qualification is the training behind an AMSA certificate of competency as master of a commercial vessel up to 24 metres, working within the exclusive economic zone.

Compare 8 providers
Illustration of a person working as fishing Skipper
How long it takes
2 to 12 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $1,480
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $9,970
How you can study
Online or on campus
Main job
Fishing Skipper
$93,600 (estimate) median pay, In demand
Taught by
8 providers
5 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate III in Maritime Operations asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in working on the water
  • a calm head in changing conditions
  • good communication skills with a crew
  • a practical approach to maintenance and safety

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Certificate III or Diploma?

The Diploma of Maritime Operations is the higher level. This Certificate III applies to people seeking an AMSA certificate of competency as master on commercial vessels up to 24 metres within the exclusive economic zone.

See the course

Where this course can take you

The study that can follow this course.

Jobs you can do with it

  • Deck Officer

    Deck officers keep a ship on course, running the bridge watch and managing the deck crew, cargo and safety systems on board.

    A step towards this job. What else you need

    Median pay$135,200 (estimate)

    In demand

  • Fishing Skipper

    A fishing skipper commands a commercial fishing boat, deciding where and when to fish and making sure the crew, the vessel and the catch come back safely and legally.

    A step towards this job. What else you need

    Median pay$93,600 (estimate)

    In demand

If you study further

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $1,480

at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$9,970

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $1,480
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $9,970
    How long
    2 to 12 months

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.

Where you can study this course

There are 8 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

The main topics covered in the Certificate III in Maritime Operations.

  • Navigational watch keeping
  • Manoeuvring near coastal vessels
  • Vessel maintenance and slipping
  • Firefighting and survival at sea
  • Maritime regulations and safety
  • First aid and workplace safety
See all 12 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

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Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It is for people working in the maritime industry who want an AMSA certificate of competency as master on commercial vessels up to 24 metres within the exclusive economic zone. It prepares you to manage and maintain a navigational watch, manoeuvre the vessel, and handle seamanship, firefighting, first aid and survival tasks.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?

Yes. This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Master up to 24 metres NC under Marine Order 505. AMSA also requires a long range operator Certificate of Proficiency, qualifying sea service, medical fitness and a final assessment.

How is it different from Diploma of Maritime Operations?

The Diploma of Maritime Operations is the higher level. This Certificate III applies to people seeking an AMSA certificate of competency as master on commercial vessels up to 24 metres within the exclusive economic zone.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.