Potential funding opportunities in Western Australia

Each of the opportunities listed below have conditions applicants need to comply with. There may also be time limits on availability, a limited number of successful applicants or other restrictions which determine whether an application is successful.  

 

·         Western Australia offers Fee-Free TAFE training for maritime qualifications for the 2026 intake however it is only offered by some TAFEs:[1]

o   Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal): Fee-Free TAFE for this course is offered at Central Regional TAFE[2] and South Metropolitan TAFE[3].

o   Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 meters Near Coastal): Fee-Free TAFE for this course is offered at Central Regional TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE.

o   Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 meters Near Coastal): Fee-Free TAFE for this course is offered at Central Regional TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE.

o   Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master up to 500GT) is Fee-Free at South Metropolitan TAFE as is Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck).

·         Half-price fees for selected maritime qualifications are also offered to eligible applicants at some TAFE locations, namely:[4]

o   Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)

o   Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal)

·         Fee-Free TAFE for Certificate IV TAE (training and assessment) may be available for eligible maritime trainers.[5] 

·         The Travel and Accommodation Allowance helps eligible apprentices and trainees with the costs of travel and accommodation related to completing their off-the-job training component if it requires more than a 71km (round) trip.[6]

·         Jobs and Skills Centres located in metropolitan and regional TAFEs in WA provide free advice on careers, training and employment.[7]

Potential funding opportunities for trainees and employees across Australia 

 

Maritime scholarships and traineeships

·         Maritime Employees Training Limited (METL) offers 24-month Integrated Ratings traineeships for training and sea time. Trainees are selected on merit and can complete their formal training at either South Metropolitan TAFE in Fremantle or the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Upon completion of all requirements they obtain the MAR30220 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating) and the (AMSA) issued occupational licence: Integrated Rating Certificate of Proficiency. METL pays the college fees, arranges and pays for accommodation, meals and travel as required, and pays the trainee wages.[8]

·         The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has partnered with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to offer several maritime scholarships, including[9]:

o   AMSA Vocational Near Coastal Seafaring Scholarship[10]

o   AMSA Sara Bool Women in Maritime Engineering Scholarship[11]

o   AMSA First Year Access Scholarship for Maritime Studies.[12]

·         The Australian Mariners Welfare Society offers maritime scholarships to the children of seafarers or ex-seafarers to study maritime courses at an RTO.[13]  The scholarship awards $3,500 per semester for course fees, living and travel expenses to students who have low or moderate means.

 

Scholarships for specific groups

·         The Sisters of Charity Foundation Tertiary Scholarship Program offers two scholarships for young people (27 years or under) who have been in out of home care, such as foster care (either currently or in the past).[14] The university scholarship is valued at up to $30,000 and the TAFE scholarship is valued at $5000. The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.

·         The Pinnacle Foundation offers annual scholarships and mentoring to people between 18-26 years of age who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and are undertaking education in a public tertiary institution (university or TAFE).[15] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.

·         Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) offers annual education scholarships for children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enrol in a tertiary course at an Australian university, TAFE or a registered training organisation. Eligibility criteria include being able to demonstrate financial hardship.[16] The scholarship is not specific to maritime studies.