Commercial
courses

This qualification is suitable for people working in entry level positions in the maritime industry as a General Purpose Hand on deck or in the engine room of a vessel up to 80 metres within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or in the engine room only for a vessel with propulsion power up to 3000 kW.

Our mission is to provide exceptional maritime training that creates real employment outcomes for our students.

• We train on the water
  Our campuses are conveniently located close to waterways so you can walk out of the classroom and onto a vessel for practical, on-board training.
• You can study full-time or part-time
  You have the choice to study your course all in one go or do it in blocks of time so it’s convenient for whenever you can get the time off work. Talk to us and we’ll make a plan that works for you.
• Pay as you go with flexible payment plans
  You can pay your course fees in full or by instalments over the term of your course duration.
• We have a Job Register
  When you graduate you’ll be automatically added to our Job Register and emailed when positions become vacant in the industry, providing you opportunities for part-time and full-time work.
• Trainers are experienced seafarers
  Our professional maritime trainers and assessors are qualified and experienced seafarers aboard a variety of commercial vessels. Our students are guaranteed a high level of education that combines traditional classroom teaching with practical, on-board training.
• Under new management since 2013
  Since taking over Sea School, we’ve had over 400 graduates successfully complete our courses. We are an AMSA compliant, quality-driven RTO that offers you the best training and career pathways.

All courses are intense, of short duration and include a sea service requirement

• $1000
• Final assessment & CoC lodgement is an additional fee
• Course duration is 5 days
• The course runs from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day

For government funding and incentives, please refer to the New South Wales government funding page or the Queensland government funding page.

Fee Payment

A deposit of $500 is to be paid on enrolment to hold your place on the course. Course fees are due to be paid in full on course commencement. You will be invoiced upon enrolment.

You can pay by credit card, cash or by electronic funds transfer. Instalment payment plans are available upon application.

Please complete our online commercial course enrolment form. After receiving your enrolment, we will then email you a booking confirmation with a request to pay a deposit to ensure your place on the course.

If you need to cancel your course due to an emergency or work, be assured your course enrolment can be transferred to another date, course or person within a 12 month period or, you can apply for a refund in extenuating circumstances.

To receive the full qualification you must demonstrate competency in all units and meet all course requirements including evidence of completed HLTAID011.

If you don’t achieve competency in some of the units, Sea School’s Competency Not Achieved Assessment Policy allows you to return to attend specified classes to re-sit training and/or assessments at no cost within a 12 month period. Should you not complete the whole course then you will receive a statement of attainment for the units you’ve completed.

Final Assessment

If you have elected to do the AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA) with Sea School, we'll incorporate it into our course structure so when you’ve completed your course, you’ve completed your final assessment.

Please read the AMSA requirements for the Certificate of competency for this course.

Certificate of Competency (CoC) Application

Sea School is now offering an optional service to complete the final assessment with us and to help you compile your documentation for an Application for a Certificate of Competency (industry licence), check you’ve met the requirements and send it to AMSA for processing. Alternatively, you may submit your documentation independently.

See Sea School Schedule of Fees for more information.

The GPH certificate is made up of 8 units of competency:

MAR10220 Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal)

• MARB053
  Assist with routine maintenance on a commercial vessel
• MARF027
  Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
• MARG012
  Work as part of a crew on a commercial vessel
• MARF028
  Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
• MARF029
  Meet work health and safety requirements
• MARF030
  Survive at sea using survival craft
• MARN016
  Apply general purpose hand skills aboard a commercial vessel
• HLTAID011
  Provide First Aid (not included in course timetable - students to provide evidence)

All of our assessments are conducted through online software in class.

• Credit Transfers (CT) are granted if you have successfully completed a course that contains the same units as the Sea School course you've enrolled in. You may apply for a CT by providing evidence in the form of a transcript and if CT is granted, you may be exempted from some or all of the coursework.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is based on your work history, sea time and previous studies. You may apply for RPL if you can provide sufficient evidence with a minimum currency of 5 years. An assessor will make a judgement on the evidence provided and if RPL is granted, you may be exempted from some or all of the coursework. A competency conversation interview may be required as part of your portfolio of evidence.

Signing your enrolment form acknowledges your understanding of your rights, obligations and acceptance of Sea School’s terms and conditions. Sea School course costs, timetable, course content, policies and procedures are subject to change without notice. You are required to read the detailed terms and conditions information on our website.