Question: are there new and upgraded Seafarer VET Qualifications?

The commencement of the National Law on 1 July 2013 and new Marine Order 505 (Certificates of Competency - National Law), provides for certificates of competency for seafarers to whom the national law applies (i.e. every seafarer not covered by the Navigation Act and MO3,).  MO505 provides for the issue of the following AMSA Certificates of Competency: 

For these positions:

• General Purpose Hand;
• Coxswain Grade 3;
• Coxswain Grade 2;
• Coxswain Grade 1;
• Master <24 m NC;
• Master (Inland waters);
• Master <35 m NC;
• Mate <80 m NC;
• Master <80 m NC;
• Master of a vehicular ferry-in-chains;
• Marine Engine Driver Grade 3;
• Marine Engine Driver Grade 2;
• Marine Engine Driver Grade 1;
• Marine Engine Driver (Steam);
• Engineer Class 3.

To underpin these new AMSA licenses or certificates, the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) on the advice of the tripartite Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) has approved the following new or upgraded VET Qualifications

• Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Marine Engineering Class 1)
• Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Marine Engineering Class 2)
• Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited)
• Advanced Diploma of Transport Distribution (Maritime Operations)

• Diploma of Maritime Operations (Engineer Watchkeeper)
• Diploma of Maritime Operations (Marine Engineering Class 3)
• Diploma of Maritime Operations (Marine Surveying)
• Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master up to 500 GT or Master 80 metres)
• Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck)
• Diploma of Transport & Distribution (Coastal Maritime Operations - Master Class 3)

• Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Chief Integrated Rating) [(AMSA Certificate of Proficiency as CIR)
• Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 1)
• Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Surveying)
• Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 35 metres)

• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating) [(AMSA Certificate of Proficiency as IR)]
• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Cookery) [AMSA Certificate of Proficiency as Marine Cook]
• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2)
• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Steam)
• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Surveying)
• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master Inland Waters)
• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres)
• Certificate III in Transport Distribution (Maritime Operations)

• Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain)
• Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3)
• Certificate II In Transport Distribution (Maritime Operations)

• Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand) [(AMSA Certificate of Proficiency as General Purpose Hand/Elements of Shipboard Safety [ESS – an approved Skill Set])
• Certificate I in Maritime Operations (Linesperson)
• Certificate I in Transport Distribution (Maritime Operations)