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MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering [Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal]

National ID
MAR50120
WA Course Code
AC31
CRICOS code
103426F
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Why choose this course?

This maritime qualification prepares you for a career as a chief engineer. During your studies you will develop skills in fire prevention and firefighting, on board leadership and teamwork, vessel security procedures, personal safety and social responsibility, and survival craft and rescue boat operation. In addition, you will study pollution prevention, vessel compliance monitoring, maritime engineering calculations and operational mathematics and how to work in confined spaces.

This will allow you to work:

  •  as a chief engineer on vessels with inboard engines with propulsion power up to 3000 kilowatts within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ);
  • as a chief engineer or second engineer on vessels with outboard engines with unlimited propulsion within the EEZ;
  • as an assistant, under the direct supervision of the chief engineer; and
  • in the engine room of a vessel up to 80 metres long with propulsion power up to 3000 kilowatts.
This course is a full-time program that is timetabled over 4 to 5 days per week. This means you will have a very heavy study load which will encroach on your personal commitments during weekdays over the course of the program. The timetabled hours per week are essential to ensure all course requirements are met.

Career opportunities

  • Marine Engineer

  • An IELTS score (Academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 6.0 or equivalent.

  • Equivalent to Australian Year 12.

  • Students must have 36 months of sea time to achieve AMSA certification requirements. Please refer to regulatory requirements licensing information listed under additional information.

  • Students must submit a comprehensive Resume outlining their work experiences, employment history and qualifications in order for the application to be assessed for entry into this course.

​Please view Admission requirements for your country of origin.

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this qualification. This qualification meets some of the requirements for certification by the Australian National regulatory body the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as an Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal as defined in Marine Order 505.

AMSA certification of competency will require:

  • completing the MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering - Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal
  • holding or have held certificates of competency as defined in National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D
  • qualifying sea service as defined in the NSCV Part D
  • meeting the medical and eyesight requirements specified in NSCV Part D
  • having passed a final AMSA assessment
  • meeting any other regulatory requirements as defined in the NSCV Part D.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2025

Duration | 1 semester
When | Semester 1, 2025
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $5,960
  • Resources fee: $4,023
  • Materials fee: $0

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

Year 12
MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering [Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal] - AC31
1 semester
MAR60120 Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering [Class 1] Engineer Class 1 [Motor] - AC38
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 19 units. These 19 are comprised of 19 core units and no elective units. Units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
  • MARF031 Apply leadership and team working capability
  • MARF035 Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • MARF037 Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • MARF041 Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • MARF043 Operate survival craft, rescue boats and life-saving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • MARF044 Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • MARF046 Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • MARF047 Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
  • MARJ008 Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • MARL045 Apply basic principles of naval architecture
  • MARL054 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers
  • MARL055 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary machinery and equipment
  • MARL056 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine control systems and automation
  • MARL057 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine diesel engines and systems
  • MARL058 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine electrical systems
  • MARL060 Demonstrate knowledge of ships and ship routines
  • MARL061 Perform basic marine engineering calculations
  • RIIWHS202E Enter and work in a confined space
Elective units

There are no elective units for this course.

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written or oral questioning assessment to show the student’s knowledge, projects that allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge (for example developing workplace documentation such as plans and operational procedures), preparing reports and practical demonstration of skills including role plays to demonstrate management of people performance, communications skills in meetings, making presentations to senior management.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, PowerPoint presentations, textbooks and handouts, coastal and celestial navigation equipment and GMDSS communications equipment. 

Facilities and equipment may include access to SMTAFE Maritime vessels ‘Brockman’ and ‘The Image’, access to the “Kongsberg Polaris Navigational Simulator”, access to the “Kongsberg Neptune Engine Room Simulator” and access to the “Kongsberg Cargo and Stability Simulator.”

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 1 semester
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)

Location map

How | On campus, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $5,960
  • Resources fee: $4,023
  • Materials fee: $0

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course.

Year 12
MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering [Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal] - AC31
1 semester
MAR60120 Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering [Class 1] Engineer Class 1 [Motor] - AC38
2 semesters

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 19 units. These 19 are comprised of 19 core units and no elective units. Units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
  • MARF031 Apply leadership and team working capability
  • MARF035 Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)
  • MARF037 Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)
  • MARF041 Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)
  • MARF043 Operate survival craft, rescue boats and life-saving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)
  • MARF044 Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)
  • MARF046 Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)
  • MARF047 Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
  • MARJ008 Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements
  • MARL045 Apply basic principles of naval architecture
  • MARL054 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers
  • MARL055 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine auxiliary machinery and equipment
  • MARL056 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine control systems and automation
  • MARL057 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine diesel engines and systems
  • MARL058 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine electrical systems
  • MARL060 Demonstrate knowledge of ships and ship routines
  • MARL061 Perform basic marine engineering calculations
  • RIIWHS202E Enter and work in a confined space
Elective units

There are no elective units for this course.

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written or oral questioning assessment to show the student’s knowledge, projects that allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge (for example developing workplace documentation such as plans and operational procedures), preparing reports and practical demonstration of skills including role plays to demonstrate management of people performance, communications skills in meetings, making presentations to senior management.

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency. Assessors use this matrix to ensure assessments, are undertaken across the duration of the course, rather than clustered together at particular times.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course.

Learning resources may include access to Blackboard, PowerPoint presentations, textbooks and handouts, coastal and celestial navigation equipment and GMDSS communications equipment. 

Facilities and equipment may include access to SMTAFE Maritime vessels ‘Brockman’ and ‘The Image’, access to the “Kongsberg Polaris Navigational Simulator”, access to the “Kongsberg Neptune Engine Room Simulator” and access to the “Kongsberg Cargo and Stability Simulator.”

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

View our TAFE application process page for detailed advice

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

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Last updated on May 15, 2023