Radio Qualifications

Marine Radio Qualifications

Do I need a Marine Radio Licence?
The Australian Radio Communications Act 1992 specifies that it is a legal requirement that if you use a VHF or HF radio on board your boat, then the operator of that radio must hold an Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.

Both the Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP) and Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) courses are based on ACMA requirements.

What are the benefits?

Ability to use your radio regularly and enjoy the extra safety it provides

Confidence that you know what you’re doing and sound as if you do
The skill to use your radio in an emergency when every second counts
Top value for a hands-on course delivered by volunteers

Your fee supports our organisation, and you will learn the following

Marine Radio Frequencies

Marine Radio Equipment

Marine Radio Procedures

Power Supplies

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Use of Marine Repeater Channels
EPIRBs and SARTs

Levels of qualification

The qualification you need depends on the type of maritime station you are operating.

This is to make sure that you know how to use radio equipment safely, including correct marine radio protocols and procedures.

There are 7 types of qualifications or endorsements issued to operators of marine radios:

Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ) – The AWQ is ideal for casual boaters who only need to operate a marine radio in Australian waters (within 12 nautical miles of the coast)
Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP)
Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP)
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) General Operators Certificate of Proficiency (GOCP)
GMDSS First-Class Radio Electronic Certificate (1st-Class REC)
GMDSS Second-Class Radio Electronic Certificate (2nd-Class REC)
Marine Satellite Communications Endorsement (MSCE, also known as Satcom).

Aviation radio qualifications are not recognised as being equivalent to any marine radio operator’s qualification.

Minimum qualification for a maritime coast licence

To operate a station with VHF or 27 MHz equipment, you must have one of these:

LROCP
SROCP
AWQ (you can operate only within Australian Territorial Waters)

To operate a station with HF equipment, you must have:

LROCP

To operate a limited coast station with Inmarsat B or C satellite equipment, you must have one of these:

LROCP with Satcom
SROCP with Satcom

To operate a major coast A or B station, you must have one of these:

GOCP
1st-class REC
2nd-class REC

You must hold these qualifications even if your station has digital selective calling equipment.

You do not need a Satcom certificate if you only use Inmarsat-M or Inmarsat-C equipment for a vessel monitoring system.

How to get qualified

The Australian Maritime College (AMC) at the University of Tasmania manages these exams in Australia:

LROCP
SROCP
Satcom

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) manages these exams in Australia:

GOCP
1st-class REC
2nd-class REC

If you pass the exam, the AMC or AMSA will give you a certificate.

Ask the AMC or AMSA about:

Exams
Fees
Equivalent qualifications
Replacement certificates

When you have the appropriate qualification, you can operate a marine radio under the Radiocommunications (Maritime Ship Station 27 MHz and VHF) Class Licence 2015

Minimum age to get qualified

Certificate & age in years

AWQ: None

LROCP: 16 Years

SROCP: 16 Years

Satcom: 16 Years

GMDSS GOCP: 18 Years

GMDSS 1st-class REC: 18 Years

GMDSS 2nd-class REC: 18 Years

Overseas qualifications

If you have a recognised overseas qualification, you don't need to get a new one in Australia.

A list of overseas qualifications that are recognised is listed in the Radiocommunications (Qualified Operators) Determination 2016.

If a certificate is cancelled

In special circumstances, a certificate of proficiency may be cancelled.

The ACMA will tell you in writing if they plan to cancel your certificate.

You can also ask for a review of their decision.