Course Details
Review the course structure, delivery arrangements, entry requirements, assessment information, fees and available enrolment options.
The nationally recognised unit MARC043 Transmit and receive information by marine radio develops the skills and knowledge required to operate marine very high frequency (VHF) and high frequency (HF) radio equipment in accordance with applicable marine radiocommunications procedures and regulatory requirements.
This unit includes the skills and knowledge required to:
- Transmit and receive information using marine VHF and HF radio.
- Use radiotelephony and digital selective calling (DSC) procedures.
- Carry out user maintenance and fault-finding procedures on radio equipment and power supplies.
- Access marine search-and-rescue radio facilities and provide required information.
- Check, deploy and operate emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), search and rescue radar transponders (SARTs) and AIS-SARTs.
- Check and operate AIS man overboard (AIS-MOB) and DSC-MOB devices.
MARC043 applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of master on commercial vessels less than 80 metres in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), or chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a vessel less than 80 metres in length within the EEZ.
Successful completion of MARC043 results in nationally recognised VET certification for the unit. The Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) is a separate marine radio certificate issued through the Office of Maritime Communications at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), acting under arrangements with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
View MARC043 on training.gov.au View AMSA Marine Radio Requirements
Some AMSA Near Coastal Certificates of Competency require the applicant to already hold an appropriate marine radio operator certificate before applying to AMSA.
The Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency is used for VHF marine radio operations and is required for certain Near Coastal certificates, including Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal.
The Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency covers VHF and MF/HF marine radio operations and is required for certain AMSA certificates, including Master less than 24 metres, Master less than 45 metres, Master less than 100 metres and specified sailing-master certificates.
MARC043 is the VET unit covering VHF and HF marine radio operation. A person who successfully completes the unit and receives the required nationally recognised certification may use the Unit of Competency recognition pathway with the AMC Office of Maritime Communications to apply for an LROCP, subject to the AMC's current application, identity, age, evidence and fee requirements.
PTG offers MARC043 through a blended delivery model combining online pre-learning, trainer-supported study, a face-to-face practical workshop and competency-based assessment.
Students are provided up to three months to complete the required training and assessment activities. The unit may be completed earlier where the student completes the required learning and demonstrates all competency requirements sooner.
Online pre-learning and formative activities identified by PTG must be completed before the applicable face-to-face practical and assessment activities.
Trainer and assessor support is available during the enrolment period. Where additional learning, practice or evidence is required, PTG may arrange further training or assessment opportunities in accordance with the student's needs and PTG policies.
Additional attendance does not alter the competency requirements and does not guarantee a successful outcome.
To be assessed as competent, the student must demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills required by MARC043. Activities may include:
- VHF and HF radio selection and operation.
- Radiotelephony procedures.
- Digital selective calling procedures.
- Distress, urgency and safety communications.
- Routine and operational communications.
- Routine radio-equipment checks.
- User maintenance and fault finding.
- EPIRB, SART and AIS-SART checks and operation.
- AIS-MOB and DSC-MOB operation.
- Search-and-rescue communication procedures.
Attendance alone does not result in a competent outcome. The student must satisfactorily demonstrate all applicable knowledge and performance requirements of MARC043.
MARC043 has no training-package prerequisite unit. Before enrolment is finalised, PTG reviews whether the unit, blended delivery model and available support are suitable for the prospective student.
- Reason for undertaking MARC043.
- Existing marine-radio or maritime experience.
- Previous relevant units or radio certificates.
- Intended AMSA or occupational outcome.
- Language, literacy and numeracy proficiency appropriate to marine radio communications.
- Digital literacy sufficient to access online learning.
- Access to suitable technology and internet.
- Any support or reasonable-adjustment requirements.
The AMC LROCP application process has separate eligibility and evidence requirements, including a minimum age requirement. Prospective students who intend to use MARC043 to obtain an LROCP should review the current AMC Office of Maritime Communications requirements before enrolling.
Students must provide a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) before nationally recognised certification documentation can be issued, unless a lawful exemption applies.
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- Computer or tablet.
- Reliable internet connection.
- Current web browser.
- Active email address.
- Basic digital skills, with support where appropriate.
- Training and assessment resources.
- Marine-radio training equipment required for the practical workshop.
- Applicable emergency radio-device training resources.
- Trainer and assessor support.
PTG will advise students before the practical workshop if any additional personal items are required.
A student assessed as competent in MARC043 will receive nationally recognised AQF certification documentation for:
A student seeking the LROCP must separately apply through the AMC Office of Maritime Communications and satisfy its current certification requirements.
Marine radiocommunications are regulated under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and current ACMA radiocommunications instruments. The previous Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Ship Licence) Determination 2015 is no longer the current instrument and should not be relied upon for current advertising or regulatory advice.
Current maritime radiocommunications requirements include the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Ship Licence) Determination 2025 and the Radiocommunications (Qualified Operators - Maritime) Determination 2026, as amended or replaced from time to time.
Successfully complete all training and assessment requirements and receive a Statement of Attainment from PTG.
Follow the current Unit of Competency recognition process administered by the Office of Maritime Communications (OMC) at the Australian Maritime College. Further information about Unit of Competency recognition, including current requirements and application guidance, is available HERE.
Provide all supporting evidence required by the Australian Maritime College (AMC) as part of your competency application. This may include current identification, evidence of relevant certification or qualifications, a recent photograph, and any other documentation specified in the current application requirements.
The AMC Unit Competency Application Form can be downloaded HERE.
Payment of the applicable AMC competency application fee can be made HERE.
After making payment, retain your receipt number, as this must be recorded on the application form as evidence of payment.
The LROCP is issued separately by the Office of Maritime Communications where the applicant satisfies its current requirements.
AMSA requires the appropriate marine radio certificate to be held before the relevant Certificate of Competency application is made. Which radio certificate is required depends on the AMSA certificate being sought.
AMSA Marine Radio Certificates AMC Office of Maritime Communications ACMA Maritime Ship Licence
$220.00 is payable to PTG prior to commencement and access to the applicable online training platform.
The PTG unit fee covers the MARC043 training and assessment services and the training resources provided by PTG for this offering.
The $220 unit fee is below the $1,500 prepaid-fee threshold that triggers the additional prepaid-fee protection measures for individual students under the 2025 Standards for RTOs.
The AMC Office of Maritime Communications charges a separate fee for the applicable marine radio certification service. This external AMC fee is not included in the $220 PTG unit fee. AMC fees may change and should be checked directly with the Office of Maritime Communications before applying.
PTG's applicable refund, withdrawal and cancellation arrangements are set out in the Paradigm Training Group Student Handbook and associated published policies. Students should review these requirements before enrolment and payment.
Prospective students who already hold MARC043, an officially equivalent unit or an existing marine radio operator certificate should contact PTG before enrolling so that unnecessary duplicate training can be avoided.
Credit Transfer may be available where valid AQF certification documentation or an authenticated USI transcript demonstrates successful completion of an identical or officially equivalent unit.
RPL may be considered where sufficient, valid, authentic and current evidence demonstrates all requirements of MARC043. PTG will advise the applicant about evidence and assessment requirements before proceeding.
Credit Transfer or RPL within the VET system does not itself issue an LROCP. AMC / OMC certification requirements apply separately.
Paradigm Training Group provides support according to the student's individual needs and the requirements of MARC043.
- Language, literacy and numeracy support.
- Digital-literacy and online-learning support.
- Assistance accessing training resources.
- Additional trainer guidance and feedback.
- Reasonable adjustment where appropriate.
- Further training or assessment opportunities in accordance with PTG policy.
- Referral to external support or wellbeing services where appropriate.
Information about fees, refunds, privacy, complaints and appeals, student responsibilities and support is available in the Paradigm Training Group Student Handbook. Prospective students should review the applicable information before enrolment or payment.
Training-product requirements, radiocommunications legislation, ACMA requirements, AMC / Office of Maritime Communications processes, AMSA Certificate of Competency requirements, external fees and application processes may change. Where information on this page differs from the current National Register, current legislation, ACMA, AMC / OMC or AMSA requirements, the current authoritative requirements prevail. Paradigm Training Group does not guarantee successful unit completion, issue of an LROCP, issue of an AMSA Certificate of Competency or employment.
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Course Intake
MARC043 Transmit and Receive Information by Marine Radio 2026 |