Department of Trade, Employment and Training
Master (up to 100 metres Near Coastal)
Upon receipt of AMSA Marine Order 505 – Certificate of Competency Master <100m Near Coastal (NC). The holder of the certificate will be able to:
Command a vessel <100 m long and <3000 GT within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General-Purpose Hand NC, Master <24 m NC and Master<45 m NC within 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.
MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations is an advanced qualification associated with roles including Master up to 100 metres Near Coastal, Master up to 500 GT and Watchkeeper Deck. For the Master less than 100 metres pathway, AMSA requires an existing Master less than 45 metres or Mate less than 80 metres Certificate of Competency, together with substantial sea service. A Master less than 45 metres holder, for example, generally requires at least 180 days of qualifying service on commercial vessels 24 metres or longer with an AMSA task book, or 360 days without one, including significant navigational watchkeeping experience. The qualification is therefore intended as progression for established professional mariners moving into senior shipboard command roles, rather than an entry pathway for secondary-school students.
A minimum Year 12 education standard is recommended because MAR50320 involves advanced navigation, vessel management, leadership and analytical skills.
The qualification itself has no formal training package entry requirements. However, for the Master up to 100 metres Near Coastal pathway, AMSA requires relevant prior Certificates of Competency and qualifying sea service.
This commonly involves progression through MAR30924 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) and MAR40324 Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 metres Near Coastal).
Additional AMSA requirements include marine radio certification, medical fitness, qualifying sea service and final assessment.
Marine Order 505 – Certificate of Competency: Master <100m Near Coastal (NC)
AMSA Requirement: Be at least 16 years when the certificate is issued.
AMSA requirement:
The applicant generally needs to already hold Master <45 m Near Coastal or Mate <80 m Near Coastal. A Master <45 m holder requires at least 180 days sea service on commercial vessels ≥24 m with an AMSA task book, including 120 days in charge of a navigational watch, or 360 days without a task book. A Mate <80 m pathway requires substantially more sea service. Applicants also require an LROCP, 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: Master <100m Near Coastal (NC)
To obtain a Master <100 m NC CoC you will need to have completed one of the following options for qualifying sea service (QSS) on commercial vessels:
While holding a Master <45 m NC (or M<35m), the applicant must have at least:
At least 180 days QSS on commercial vessels ≥24 m long, including 120 days as person in charge of a navigational watch, and a completed AMSA task book, or
At least 360 days QSS on commercial vessels ≥24 m long including 120 days as officer of the watch without an AMSA task book.
While holding a Mate <80 m NC or other AMSA recognised non-command certificate:
At least 360 days’ as officer of the watch on commercial vessels ≥24 m long and a completed AMSA task book, or
At least 720 days as officer of the watch on commercial vessels ≥24 m long 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 sea service.
– Approved sea service logbookEvidence of medical fitness (including eyesight requirements):
– Certificate of medical fitness domestic seafarers form 1850
– Current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303)Evidence of CoC Master <45 m (NC) or Mate <80 m (NC).
Complete a Diploma – Maritime Operations (Master <100m NC) course from a registered training organisation (RTO).
Hold a Marine Radio – Long Range Operators Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) issued by the Office of Maritime Communications, or higher certificate.
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