Department of Trade, Employment and Training
Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1 Near Coastal)
Upon receipt of AMSA Marine Order 505 – Certificate of Competency Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal (NC). The holder of the certificate will be able to:
Perform the duties of Chief Engineer on a vessel with an inboard engine with propulsion power <1500 kW in waters to the outer limits of the EEZ
Perform the duties of Second Engineer (second in charge of the engine room) on a vessel with an inboard engine with propulsion power <3000 kW in waters to the outer limits of the EEZ.
Perform the duties of Chief Engineer on a vessel with an outboard engine with unlimited propulsion in waters to the outer limits of the EEZ
Assist an engineer in any tasks that may be required on board while working under the general supervision of the person in charge of the vessel’s engines to the outer limits of the EEZ
Work in the engine room of a vessel with propulsion power <3000 kW to the outer limits of the EEZ
Full-time
The lodgment of a second training contract where one of the training contracts is full-time will be reviewed by the Department to determine if each of the parties to each training contract can meet their obligations. There must be a clear separation between the training and employment requirements for each training contract and must not be replicated through the one occupation only.
Part-time
Minimum of 15 hours per week over each 4 week period throughout duration of apprenticeship/traineeship.
Casual
Refer to section 2.5 of the Declaration of Apprenticeships and Traineeships, for the meaning of casual, irregular, occasional and intermittent employment arrangements.School-based
This traineeship is not recommended for school-based trainees.
MAR40224 Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal) prepares participants to work at Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 level, including responsibility for machinery and engine-room operations on significantly powered commercial vessels. While the qualification itself has no formal entry requirement, AMSA certification requires either a Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Certificate of Competency or a recognised workshop skills equivalent, as well as qualifying sea service. Depending on the pathway, this may require between 90 and 240 days of relevant commercial-vessel sea service. The qualification also contains advanced competencies including managing an engine room and engineering team, maintaining 240–440V electrical systems, operating machinery up to 1500 kW and undertaking welding and machining. These requirements make it more appropriate as a post-school progression qualification for workers who have already developed marine engineering experience, rather than an entry-level school program.
Apprentices/trainees with a disability are entitled to work less than 15 hours per week when averaged over a 4 week cycle. They must be a holder of a disability pension and Pension concession card to be approved.
A minimum Year 10 education standard is recommended due to the literacy, numeracy and technical skills required for Certificate IV-level marine engineering.
Applicants must also complete qualifying sea service, first aid, medical requirements and a final assessment.
Marine Order 505 – Certificate of Competency: Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal (NC)
AMSA Requirement: Be at least 16 years when the certificate is issued.
AMSA requirement:
To obtain the MED 1 Certificate of Competency, the person must hold either Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal or an AMSA-recognised workshop skills equivalent. They must also complete qualifying sea service. For example, an MED 2 holder requires 120 days sea service with an AMSA task book or 240 days without, on applicable commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines of at least 375 kW. A workshop-skills pathway requires at least 90 days with a task book or 180 days without. Applicants also need medical fitness, first aid and an AMSA final assessment.
Visa holders may engage in apprenticeships or traineeships provided their work rights allows this, based on information and advice provided by the Australian Government.
Supervision requirements
Please refer to the Declaration policy, table 15 for the requirements on supervision.
Modified supervision arrangements available: NO
Employers are required to provide, or arrange to provide the facilities, range of work, supervision and training as detailed in the training plan.
Qualified person for traineeships
1. A person who has satisfactorily completed a traineeship in the trainee's calling, and is the holder of a completion certificate issued under an Act, or
2. A person who holds a certificate of recognition issued under an Act, certifying the person has the necessary skills and knowledge in the calling, or
3. A tradesperson in the trainee's calling, as defined under a specific industrial instrument, or
4. A person who holds a relevant qualification in the traineeship calling, or
5. A person individually, or persons collectively, who has/have documented competence (achieved through an RPL or training pathway) or demonstrated competence in all the competencies the employer is required to provide training for under the trainee's training plan (note - cannot be a person or persons currently undertaking the same traineeship), or
6. A person undertaking a traineeship, at a higher level than the trainee's, whose traineeship incorporates supervisory or coordinating skills and who has documented competence (achieved through an RPL or training pathway) in at least one of the competencies the employer is required to provide to the trainee under the training plan and who is supervised by a person who qualifies under (1), and/or (4) and/or (5).
And, where a worker is required to have a licence to practice the calling/occupation, the qualified person holds a current workers licence.
Adequate supervision of apprentices and trainees cannot solely be provided from an offsite location by electronic means. Electronic means include, but are not limited to, telephones, radios and webcams.
Commensurate to the work being undertaken and an apprentice’s level of competence, skills and experience, the level of supervision will normally range between direct, general and broad as per the below guidelines:
Direct - Close monitoring of work ensuring understanding and identifying potential risks and/or hazards with the supervisor easily accessible to the apprentice or trainee
General - Occasional monitoring to ensure progress is occurring
Broad - Quality checking of completed tasks.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
Marine Order 505 – Certificate of Competency: Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal (NC)
To obtain a MED 1 NC CoC you will need to have completed one of the following options for qualifying sea service (QSS):
While holding a workshop skill equivalent qualification
- At least 90 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥375 kW and a completed AMSA task book; or
- At least 180 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥375kW without an AMSA task book
While holding Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC certificate:
- At least 120 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥375 kW, and a completed AMSA task book; or
- At least 240 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥375 kW, without an AMSA task book
Eligibility:
Be at least 16 years when the certificate is issued.
Be able to speak and understand English, including written documents.
Evidence of QSS accrual in the form of:
- Record of sea service form 771
- On board sea service record from your task book
- Letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your QSS.
- Approved sea service logbookEvidence of medical fitness (including eyesight requirements):
- Certificate of medical fitness domestic seafarers form 1850 or
- Current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303).Evidence of CoC for an MED 2 (NC), or a Workshop skill equivalent.
Complete a Certificate IV – Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC course from a registered training organisation (RTO).
Complete a HLTAID011 unit of competency Provide first aid or equivalent course.
Pass a final assessment.
Declaration Policy
This Policy outlines the regulatory requirements for parties involved in the training to ensure that the apprentice or trainee receives quality training as agreed under the training plan.
Norfolk Island Policy
Specific amendments to the Declaration Policy for apprenticeships and Traineeships on Norfolk Island.
School-based Policy
This policy sets out the requirements specific to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) in Queensland and on Norfolk Island.
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Restricted callings
Restrictions apply to the rights of employers to appoint staff under the age of 18 to certain jobs, or "callings".
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Industrial relations
Industrial relations protect apprentices' rights, ensure fair wages, resolve disputes, and promote safe, supportive workplaces.
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Qld Government funding
The Queensland Government contributes towards the cost of training for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees.
Last Updated: October 2026