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HomeCoursesMaritimeCertificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal)

Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal)

This is the entry qualification for working as a general purpose hand, the deckhand or engine room hand who keeps a commercial vessel running under the master's or engineer's direction.

  • Duration: 0 months to 6 months
  • Study mode: Online and on campus
  • Course code: MAR10224

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • TAFE NSW

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    Campuses
    8 campuses
    Duration
    0 to 6 months
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    $3,340
    Eligible students: concession $0

    What students say

    Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.

  • University of Tasmania

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    Campuses
    17 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students often praise the facilities and campus, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching. Some students found organisation and admin frustrating, and some felt student support was lacking.

  • TAFE Gippsland

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

  • TAFE Queensland

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    Campuses
    Great Barrier Reef International Marine College
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    $2,360
    Eligible students: subsidised from $865, concession $500

    What students say

    Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

  • South Metropolitan TAFE

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    Campuses
    Fremantle
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    What students say

    Students often rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on both teaching and campus facilities. Some also found student support frustrating to access.

  • North Regional TAFE

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    Campuses
    3 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

  • Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
  • Yes. AMSA certification as a General Purpose Hand Near Coastal requires this qualification, qualifying sea service on a commercial vessel, and a current First Aid Certificate, as specified in Marine Order 505. Check with AMSA before you enrol.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:

  • a willingness to work under direction and learn on the job
  • a practical, hands-on approach to routine tasks
  • an interest in working on the water and staying safe
  • the ability to work as part of a crew

What will you learn?

You learn the practical basics of life on board: routine maintenance, safe work practices, firefighting, first aid, and what to do if the vessel has to be abandoned. Most of it is hands-on and assessed on or around vessels, because the point is to prepare you for supervised work at sea rather than to study theory. The certificate is one of the requirements AMSA cites for General Purpose Hand Near Coastal certification, along with qualifying sea service and a current first aid certificate, so it is worth checking the Marine Order requirements before you enrol.

  • Deck and engine room duties
  • Routine vessel maintenance
  • Firefighting on board
  • Sea survival and abandonment
  • First aid at sea
  • Work health and safety

Units of competency (8 core)

Everyone completes these core units. Select a unit to see what it covers.

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Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).