Updating Results
Menu

TAFE International Western Australia

MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering [Engineer Watchkeeper Specialist]

  • Diploma

This course prepares students for a career as an engineer watchkeeper in the maritime industry, offering opportunities to advance to higher qualifications. Graduates can work as chief engineers on larger vessels, vehicular ferries, tourist vessels, and more.

Key details

Degree Type
Diploma
Duration
12 - 12 semesters full-time
Course Code
AC62, 103426F
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
International Fees
$12,552 per year / $12,552 total

About this course

Why choose this course?

Prepare for a career in the maritime industry as an engineer watchkeeper by completing this technically challenging qualification. Improve your employability in the maritime industry as this course offers scope for you to advance to the next higher level qualification.

On successful completion of this course you will be qualified to be chief engineer for larger, more powerful vessels enabling you to perform all of the work required of a marine engine driver. You could also find employment on larger vehicular ferries and tourist vessels or on coastal cargo vessels servicing remote or island communities and some fishing 'mother-ships'. Further employment options include work on smaller offshore oil and gas supply boats.

Please note the Maritime calendar differs from the standard TAFE WA semester calendar. Semester dates are stated in your Letter of Offer.

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.

Entry requirements

  • 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.

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 Watchkeeper (STCW Engineer Watchkeeper Unlimited).

AMSA certification of competency will require:

  • completing the MAR50120 Diploma of Marine Engineering - Engineer Watchkeeper
  • holding or have held certificates of competency as defined in Marine Order 72
  • qualifying sea service as defined in Marine Order 72
  • completing STCW short courses as defined in Marine Order 72
  • holding a valid AMSA certificate of medical fitness
  • having passed a final AMSA assessment
  • meeting any other regulatory requirements as defined in Marine Order 72

Study locations

Fremantle

What you will learn

Why choose this course?

Prepare for a career in the maritime industry as an engineer watchkeeper by completing this technically challenging qualification. Improve your employability in the maritime industry as this course offers scope for you to advance to the next higher level qualification.

On successful completion of this course you will be qualified to be chief engineer for larger, more powerful vessels enabling you to perform all of the work required of a marine engine driver. You could also find employment on larger vehicular ferries and tourist vessels or on coastal cargo vessels servicing remote or island communities and some fishing 'mother-ships'. Further employment options include work on smaller offshore oil and gas supply boats.

Career pathways

Marine Engineer

Course structure

Core units
  • 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
  • MARA012 Contribute to basic cargo operations on liquefied gas tankers
  • MARA013 Contribute to basic cargo operations on oil and chemical tankers (basic oil and chemical)
  • MARB038 Maintain and repair marine electrical and electronic equipment
  • MARB039 Maintain and repair shipboard machinery and equipment
  • MARB044 Operate and maintain ship power systems exceeding 1,000 volts
  • MARC046 Employ tools, equipment and materials in a shipboard context
  • MARF032 Apply medical first aid on board ship
  • MARL042 Apply basic principles of marine electrotechnology
  • MARL043 Apply basic principles of marine engineering thermodynamics
  • MARL044 Apply basic principles of marine mechanics
  • MARL059 Demonstrate basic knowledge of marine steam turbines and main boilers

Credit for prior study or work

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.

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

Apply now(opens in a new tab)

Copyright 2025 © OpenLearning
In collaboration with governments, educational institutions and stakeholders, StudyPerth provides a leadership role in building the profile of international education in WA and overseas.