Maritime courses
Want to work at sea? You can start with a short certificate that gets you on deck, train for a master's certificate, or study a diploma to command bigger vessels. There's a trade route as well, for building and repairing boats.
- Quickest way to start
- 0 months
- Certificate I, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $865
- subsidised Certificate I, TAFE Queensland
- What the jobs pay
- $72,800 to $175,000
- median pay across 6 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 5 of 6 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal)
Work as a deckhand on a commercial vessel
Keep a commercial vessel running under the master's direction, doing deck work, routine maintenance and safety drills.
JobDeckhand
Median pay$89,400
- How long it takes
- 0 to 6 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $865 at TAFE Queensland if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $2,360 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Certificate III in Maritime Operations
Start training for a master's certificate
Skipper a commercial fishing boat, keeping watch, handling the vessel in near coastal waters and managing the crew and catch.
Median pay$93,600 (estimate)
A step towards this job, not the whole route. What else you need
- How long it takes
- 2 to 12 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,480 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $9,970 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Diploma of Maritime Operations
Work as a ship captain
Command a commercial vessel, planning the voyage, keeping a safe navigational watch and leading the crew.
JobShip Captain
Median pay$175,000
- How long it takes
- About 8 months full time at TAFE NSW
- How you'll study
- On campus
Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
Work as a boat builder or shipwright
Build and repair boats in a yard, shaping hulls and decks in timber, metal and composite materials.
JobBoat Builder
Median pay$72,800 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- About 3 years full time at TAFE NSW
- How you'll study
- On the job
You don't have to do it all at once
You can start on deck, build up sea service and study the next qualification while you keep working. Here's how that can look.
- Get your Certificate IStart as a general purpose hand or deckhand on a commercial vessel. It's the quickest way into the industry.
- Build up your sea serviceAMSA asks for time at sea before it issues a certificate of competency, so you gain it while working on vessels.
- Study the Certificate IIITrain towards a master's certificate on smaller commercial vessels, and keep working while you study.
- Go on to the diplomaThe next step towards master or deck watchkeeper roles on larger commercial vessels.
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate I | Certificate III | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | Not listed | $3,340 | $1,480 | $9,970 |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $865 | $2,360 | Not listed | Not listed |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate I
- Not listed
- $3,340 full fee
- Certificate III
- $1,480 subsidised
- $9,970 full fee
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate I
- $865 subsidised
- $2,360 full fee
- Certificate III
- Not listed
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Other university courses
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- DeckhandWhat you needCertificate IMedian pay$89,400
- Boat BuilderWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$72,800 (estimate)In demand
ShipwrightWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$80,600 (estimate)In demand
Deck OfficerWhat you needCertificate III, then further trainingMedian pay$135,200 (estimate)In demand- Fishing SkipperWhat you needCertificate III, then further trainingMedian pay$93,600 (estimate)In demand
- Ship CaptainWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$175,000In demand
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.