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Accepting ApplicationsNationally RegisteredCertificate II
MAR20324 · Maritime & Seafood
Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)
Your experience navigating coastal waters and maintaining small vessel systems is a form of expertise that deserves formal recognition. We are currently establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations to provide a pathway for this maritime qualification.
The qualification
About This Qualification
This qualification applies to people working in the maritime industry seeking an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certificate of competency of Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal. Duties and Functions: Duties and functions for which AMSA certificate of competency is required are listed in the MAR Maritime Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.
Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation. RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.
RPL It status: Accepting applications
New to RPL?
What Is Recognition of Prior Learning?
Recognition of Prior Learning is a formal assessment process that evaluates skills, knowledge, and experience you have gained through your career against the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification.
You gather relevant workplace evidence and a qualified assessor from the delivering Registered Training Organisation evaluates that evidence. If the assessor determines every competency requirement is met, the RTO issues the qualification.
Your Qualification Pathway in Four Steps
2
Evidence Portfolio
Your consultant guides you through identifying and organising relevant workplace evidence for the RTO.
3
RTO Assessment
A qualified assessor from the delivering Registered Training Organisation evaluates the evidence against the national standard.
4
Qualification Outcome
If the RTO determines every requirement is met, the RTO issues the nationally recognised qualification.
Explore Roles Associated With This Qualification
Select a role to review its database-listed outcome and examples of evidence that may help an RTO understand your experience.
Coxswain Grade 1
Commanding and operating a commercial vessel up to 12 metres in length in near coastal waters.
Examples of workplace evidence that may help an RTO assessor understand this experience include:
- Comprehensive resume detailing maritime employment
- Verified sea service logs or AMSA record of service
- Position descriptions for deckhand or coxswain roles
- Passage plans developed for vessels up to 12 metres
- Records of vessel handling, including berthing and unberthing
- Evidence of using nautical charts and navigation instruments
What Kind of Experience Can Support Your Application?
Your consultant can help you identify relevant workplace records. The delivering RTO decides whether the evidence is sufficient and current.
Work History & Roles
- Comprehensive resume detailing maritime employment
- Verified sea service logs or AMSA record of service
- Position descriptions for deckhand or coxswain roles
Vessel Handling & Navigation
- Passage plans developed for vessels up to 12 metres
- Records of vessel handling, including berthing and unberthing
- Evidence of using nautical charts and navigation instruments
Engineering & Maintenance
- Service logs for inboard and outboard propulsion units
- Maintenance schedules for auxiliary systems
- Records of basic engine troubleshooting and repairs
Safety & Survival
- Participation records for fire-fighting drills on board
- Documentation of survival craft operations
- Safety Management System (SMS) compliance records
Compliance & Training
- Current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certificate
- Marine radio operator's certificate (ACMA)
- Records of environmental work practices and waste management
Not sure whether your evidence is relevant?
Start with a free preliminary skills review. We can help you understand the evidence an RTO may need to assess.
Start My Free Skills ReviewPathway comparison
RPL and Traditional Study
Two pathways that use the same RTO competency standards.
Compare
RPL pathway
Traditional study
Starting point
Your existing, current workplace skills and evidence
A planned course of learning and assessment
How competency is shown
Workplace evidence mapped to the qualification requirements
Learning activities, assignments, practical work, and assessment
Assessment decision
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
If gaps are identified
Additional evidence or targeted gap training may be required
Learning and assessment continue through the course structure
Qualification outcome
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met
Everything You Need to Know Before Enrolling
Fees, timeframes, the delivering RTO, and any qualification-specific conditions are confirmed before you make an enrolment decision.
Pricing is confirmed before you commit
You will receive a detailed, personalised quote before enrolment. It includes the total fee, payment terms, and the name of the delivering RTO.
What affects your timeline
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4 to 6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary.
What RPL It supports
- Guidance through evidence gathering
- Preparing a complete portfolio for submission
- Following up on your behalf
What the RTO controls
- Assessment workload and evaluation timeline
- Requests for more evidence or gap training
- The qualification issuance process
Delivering Registered Training Organisations
The current database lists the following active partner RTOs for this qualification. The delivering RTO is confirmed before enrolment.
RPL It supports the pathway; the RTO makes the decision
RPL It Australia
- Preliminary skills review or interest registration
- Evidence gathering guidance
- Student support and pathway information
Delivering RTO
- Formal assessment by qualified assessors
- Competency and gap-training decisions
- Qualification issuance and assessment appeals
Additional licensing requirements may apply
This qualification is a core requirement for obtaining an AMSA Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal Certificate of Competency (CoC). Please note that holding the qualification is only one component of the AMSA licensing process.
National: Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
Free Skills Review
Start Your Free Skills Review for MAR20324
Tell us about your background and we will provide a free preliminary review of your experience against the Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal).
- Preliminary review of your experience against MAR20324
- Guidance on whether an RPL pathway may suit your background
- No commitment or guaranteed assessment outcome
- Formal assessment and qualification issuance remain with the RTO
Prefer to talk? Call 1300 93 60 93
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Is this qualification currently available through RPL it?
We are currently in the process of establishing partnerships with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) for the MAR20324 qualification. While we cannot facilitate an application today, registering your interest ensures you are the first to know when the pathway becomes available.
Why should I register my interest?
Registering allows us to gauge demand and accelerate the onboarding of RTO partners for this specific maritime qualification. It also ensures you receive updates on evidence requirements and availability directly from our consultants.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?
Yes. A qualification achieved through Recognition of Prior Learning is issued by a Registered Training Organisation and carries the same national weight as one earned through classroom study. The only difference is the method of assessment.
What additional requirements does AMSA have for the Coxswain Grade 1 CoC?
In addition to this qualification, AMSA typically requires a valid radio operator's certificate, documented qualifying sea service, a medical fitness disclosure, and the successful completion of a final AMSA mandate assessment.
Can my existing sea service logs be used as evidence?
Absolutely. Sea service logs are a primary form of evidence for maritime recognition. They demonstrate the practical application of your skills in real-world coastal environments and are essential for mapping your experience to the required units of competency.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?
Yes. RPL is a legitimate form of assessment within the Australian VET system. The qualification issued is identical to one obtained through any other mode of delivery and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Who assesses my evidence?
Your evidence is assessed by a qualified assessor employed or contracted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation (RTO), not by RPL It. The assessor holds the credentials required under the 2025 Standards for RTOs and has current industry experience.
What if gaps are identified in my skills?
If the assessor identifies areas where your evidence does not fully demonstrate competency, the RTO can provide gap training. The RTO will discuss any associated requirements or costs with you if this becomes necessary. Gap training is targeted to the specific areas identified and is designed to help you meet the full requirements of the qualification.
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?
If the initial skills review indicates that RPL is not suitable for you at this time, we’ll let you know honestly and discuss alternative options. We would rather direct you to the right pathway than enrol you in a process that won’t lead to a successful outcome.
How long does the RPL process take?
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4 to 6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. This is an average based on past outcomes, not a guarantee. Factors include qualification complexity, evidence completeness, whether gap training is required, and the RTO's current assessment capacity.
Can I do this from outside Australia?
This depends on the specific qualification. Many qualifications are based on Australian codes, standards, and legislation, and some require access to an Australian workplace for assessment. If you are based outside Australia, please contact us to discuss whether RPL is feasible for your circumstances.
Related Qualifications
Other qualifications in the Maritime Training Package training package.
Ready when you are
Turn Your Maritime & Seafood Experience Into Evidence
Start a free preliminary review for Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal). The delivering RTO makes every formal assessment decision.
This is a preliminary discussion, not a formal assessment or a guarantee of outcome. RPL It Australia does not issue qualifications.