Department of Trade, Employment and Training
Engineer (Class 3 Near Coastal)
Upon receipt of AMSA Marine Order 505 – Certificate of Competency Engineer Class 3 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 <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
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 in waters 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.
MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering prepares people for advanced roles including Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal, Engineer Watchkeeper and Electro-Technical Officer. For Engineer Class 3 certification, AMSA requires applicants to already hold an Engineer Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency, Marine Engine Driver Grade 1, or an appropriate workshop skills equivalent, together with relevant qualifying sea service. Depending on the pathway, this can involve between 90 and 360 days of commercial-vessel engineering sea service. The qualification includes advanced engineering, electrical, machinery, firefighting, survival, leadership and regulatory competencies, with some pathways also operating under international STCW requirements. It is therefore much better suited to experienced maritime workers progressing into professional engineering responsibility than to secondary-school students commencing their careers.
A minimum Year 12 education standard is recommended because this Diploma requires advanced technical literacy, numeracy, engineering calculations and problem-solving skills.
MAR50120 itself has no formal training package entry requirements. However, the AMSA Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal pathway may require previous engineering certification such as Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal, for which MAR40224 Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal) is the relevant qualification, or an accepted workshop skills equivalent.
AMSA also requires qualifying sea service, medical fitness, prescribed training and final assessment.
Marine Order 505 – Certificate of Competency Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal (NC)
AMSA Requirement: Be at least 16 years when the certificate is issued.
AMSA requirement:
The applicant must hold or have recognised experience through Engineer Watchkeeper, Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal, or an AMSA-recognised workshop skills equivalent. Sea-service requirements vary by pathway. For example, an MED 1 holder requires at least 180 days qualifying sea service with an AMSA task book or 360 days without, on relevant commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines of at least 400 kW. A workshop-skills pathway requires 120 days with a task book or 240 days without. Medical fitness, first aid and an AMSA final assessment are also required.
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 Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal (NC)
To obtain a EC3 CoC you will need to have completed one of the following options for qualifying sea service (QSS):
While holding a CoC as Engineer Watchkeeper issued under the Navigation Act 2012:
o At least 90 days QSS working on board commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥400 kW, performing engine-room watchkeeping duties; or
While holding a workshop skill equivalent qualification.
o At least 120 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥400 kW and a completed AMSA task book; or
o At least 240 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥400 kW without an AMSA task book.
While holding Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC certificate:
o At least 180 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥400 kW, and a completed AMSA task book; or
o At least 360 days QSS on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with propulsion power ≥400 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:
o Record of sea service form 771
o On board sea service record from your task book
o Letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your QSS.
o Approved sea service log book.Evidence of medical fitness (including eyesight requirements):
o Certificate of medical fitness domestic seafarers form 1850 oro Current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303).
Evidence of CoC for Engineer Watchkeeper, an MED 1 (NC), or a Workshop skill equivalent
Complete a Diploma - Marine Engineer Class 3 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