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YES
For more information on how to get your
Radio Operators Certificate visit our website:
www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc
or contact us on
p 1300 365 262
you
DO
need a
Radio Operators
Certificate
Who is the Office of Maritime Communications?
The Office of Maritime Communications is the only body in Australia
that can award marine radio qualifications. The office is part of the
Australian Maritime College, Australia’s national centre for maritime
training, education and research.
Do I need a license for the 27 MHz or VHF radio?
Individual licences are not required for 27 MHz or VHF marine radio
transceivers but the operator of a VHF marine Radio does require a
Certificate of Proficiency. Because 27 MHz and VHF marine radios are
now class licensed, official call signs are no-longer issued. However,
operators are still required to identify their vessels at the beginning of
each series of transmissions.
Does the MF/HF marine radio require a license?
Yes, the apparatus needs to be licensed and the operator requires a
Certificate of Proficiency. When the apparatus is licensed a call sign
will be issued by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media
Authority).
How often do I have to update my Certificate of Proficiency?
Certificates of Proficiency are issued for life and do not need renewing.
This is different from the GMDSS qualification which is required to be
revalidated every five years.
Who is an Invigilator?
An Invigilator is a person whom is certified to supervise examinations.
A list of Invigilators is located on the website:
http://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/invigilator-search
If a candidate fails can they re-sit the exam?
Yes, a candidate may re-sit the examination as many times as it takes
to gain the Certificate of Proficiency. Each time the candidate must
pay the current processing fee and submit a photo. However, after the
second or third attempt the candidate or Invigilator should query the
circumstances and reassess the situation. Would the SROCP certificate
be more appropriate or should a special examination be considered?
Can the holder of an Amateur or Aviation Radio License receive
exemptions for the Marine Radio Certification?
No. Amateur and aviation radio certificates are not valid for marine
radio operations. These operators must successfully gain their SROCP/
LROCP Certification.
Does a candidate have to attend a training course?
It depends on the Certificate of Proficiency. The inside of this brochure
explains the Certificates of Proficiency and the options for preparation
of examination.
Is my overseas marine radio qualification valid in Australia?
Australia recognises other countries’ marine qualifications that are
issued according to International Telecommunication Union
recommendations. Submit a copy of your qualification to ACMA, if you
have any doubts.
FAQ’s
MARINE RADIO
OPERATOR CERTIFIC
ATES
OBTAINING YOUR CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY
Age Requirement - you must have had your 16th birthday prior to
sitting an examination.
There are two ways to obtain a certificate of proficiency:
OMC Examination
All examinations are supervised by OMC registered invigilators
(examination supervisors).
Practical Component - the examination process includes a
practical component, this may be in the form of ‘role playing’. This
is where you show your ability to ‘make a distress call’, ‘log in/log
out’ and demonstrate the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system.
You should talk to your invigilator (examiner) to find out what is
required.
Written Component - Examinations are multi-choice with a 70%
pass requirement. Duration of examination: LROCP - 60 minutes;
SROCP and MSCE - 30 minutes.
The MSCE certification requires the candidate to be the holder of a
valid SROCP, LROCP or equivalent, prior to gaining the MSCE
qualification. A candidate must attend a course with an equivalent
or higher qualified trainer. Access to a fully operational Inmarsat-C
terminal and a computer with Inmarsat-C software is also required.
SROCP and LROCP - you may choose to study independently or to
attend a course offered by a training provider.
• OMC will only accept a Unit of Competency (UOC)
application if you have successfully completed a course at a
Registered Training Organisation where the course is conducted as
per the national training packages MARC020, MARC021 or
MARO003. Suitable evidence of attaining the unit must
accompany the application. The current revision of the UOCs,
effective 27th February 2015, will be the only evidence accepted
for recognition, provided the UOCs include all requirements of the
OMC syllabi. More information and an application form may be
located at: http://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/certificates.
> SROCP - Short Range Operator Certificate of
Proficiency (for VHF radio operations);
> LROCP - Long Range Operator Certificate of
Proficiency (for VHF & MF/HF radio
operations) and;
> MSCE (SATCOM) - Marine Satellite
Communications
Endorsement
Australian Maritime College
Office of Maritime Communications (OMC)
WHY DO I NEED A CERTIFICATE
OF PROFICIENCY?
July 2019
STUDY TOOLS
Handbooks and Revision Questions
Handbooks relevant to each qualification are available for
purchase through our office either by calling or using the online
ordering/purchase facility: https://payments.utas.edu.au/
OneStopWeb/OMCHandbooks/menu.
To assist you in your studies a set of multi-choice revision
questions are available at: http://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/
handbooks-and-revision-questions
REPLACEMENT OF A CERTIFICATE
AMC is also responsible for reissuing certificates that have been
lost, damaged or require a name change. Information and forms
are located on our website:
http://www.amc.edu.au/industry/omc/certificates/replacement-
of-certificates
• Attend a Course - Your first step will be to make enquiries
about training courses available in your area. Training
courses vary markedly in terms of scope and cost. Do your
homework before committing yourself to attend and pay for
any particular course. For example, will there be an OMC
registered invigilator conducting the examination at the
completion of the course? Are the costs of the handbook and
examination marking included in the course fee?
• OMC will only accept a Unit of Competency (UOC) application
if you have successfully completed a course at a Registered
Training Organisation where the course is conducted as per
the national training packages MARC043, MARC044 or
MARO003. Suitable evidence of attaining the unit must
accompany the application. The current revision of the UOCs,
effective 27th February 2015, will be the only evidence
accepted for recognition, provided the UOCs include all
requirements of the OMC syllabi. More information and an
application form may be located at http://www.amc.edu.au/
industry/omc/certificates
• Successfully complete an OMC examination; or
• Submit an application for the recognition of a Unit of
Competency
• It is a legal requirement under the Telecommunications Act
1992. Be legal!
•
•
•
Your DSC will not work without a MMSI Number - you will
need your certificate to apply for a MMSI Number.
Marine radio communications provide a number of services
to small vessels, including weather and navigational
information.
Help save a life - know how to make an emergency call and
how to respond in an emergency situation.
• Independent Study - examination questions are based on
material contained in our handbooks. We recommend that
you obtain a copy of the handbook relevant to the
qualification. Each handbook includes the recommended
syllabi for the certificate and icons throughout the book
indicate relevant areas of study for each qualification. When
you are confident that you are ready to be examined, you
must contact an invigilator in your area and arrange a
suitable time, date and place to sit the examination. A list of
invigilators may be located at: http://www.amc.edu.au/
industry/omc/invigilator-search
Unit of Competency
CHECK CHECK IF IF YOU YOU ARE ALREADY QUALIFIED
If you are unsure whether you are already qualified, contact the
office on 1300 365 262 before attempting the current examination.
Failure, may cancel a current qualification.
TALK TO YOUR LOCAL MARINE RESCUE
Many of the marine rescue organisations will have information
about marine radio qualifications, courses and invigilator
(examination supervisor) contact details.
As a delegate of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the
Australian Maritime College is responsible for the management of all functions
associated with marine radio examinations and certification services in Australia.
•
