Kickstart Your Marine Engineering Career with...
the Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Programme
If you’re seeking a career as a Marine Engineer, or add to your skipper ticket, then the Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 or 3 course may be right for you.
These Australian qualifications are recognised as equivalent to the NZ Marine Engineer Class 5 or 6. If you wish to work in New Zealand, you can easily transfer your Australian qualification to Maritime NZ.
This Australian course (MAR30818 Certificate III in Maritime Operations) teaches you how to maintain machinery and electronics and is a starting point for becoming a marine engineer.
As a Marine Engine Driver, you can work in the engine room of a vessel and oversee the operation and maintenance of motorised equipment on small commercial vessels. Full competencies are listed here on the AMSA website
This 2 week course includes written and practical assessments.
Course requirements
| MED Grade 2 (Equivalent to NZ Marine Engineer Class 5) MED 3 course also offered (equivalent to NZ Marine Engineer Class 6) | Why spend 6 months on a NZ course when you can do the Australian course in 2 weeks and convert your certificate to NZ? | |
|---|---|---|
| Licences | With this qualification (MED2), you can • Act as the Chief Engineer on a vessel with an inboard engine with propulsion power up to 750 kW in waters to the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) • Act as the Second Engineer on vessels with an inboard engine with propulsion power up to 1500 kW in waters to the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) • Work in the engine room of a vessel <80 m long with propulsion power up to 3000 kW | The MEC 6 course used to be less than 2 weeks in NZ, but is now 6 months long, as is the MEC 5. That's why so many Kiwis have gone to Australia to get their training and certification then convert their certificate to a Maritime NZ certificate. Now you can do the Australian courses here in NZ without having to take off all the time for the lengthened courses |
| Course requirements | Basic safety training, may be other requirements -check with the school | Medical and English language requirements |
| Course duration | 3 or 4 weeks, depending on the school | 10 weeks in the classroom plus 14 weeks home study |
| Sea time requirements | 90 – 180 days of commercial sea service with task book OR 180 – 360 days of commercial sea service without task book Always check the AMSA website for the latest criteria - Click here | At least 360 days under several options. Check the MNZ website or with other schools for more information. We don't offer this since the Australian course has progressed. |
| Exam | Final practical assessment | MNZ Oral exam |
| Cost | Cost dependant on which school you choose. | About $2400 +$368 MNZ application fee |
| Accepted qualification | Qualification valid in Australia and can be converted to Marine Engineer Class 5. Always check the MNZ website for the latest information. | Qualification valid in New Zealand and can be recognized in Australia to Marine Engineer Driver 2. Always check the AMSA website for the latest information. |
| Note: This is an Australian course than can lead to an Australian Maritime Safety Authority qualification that may be recognised by Maritime NZ. These Australian courses must be approved by the the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) not by NZQA. |
PLEASE NOTE: Australian courses are offered by Australian Registered Training Organisations and are not NZQA approved courses. We’re just helping spread the message, and happy to help answer questions.