How do you obtain a captain license in australia?

G'day Emma,

The system in Australia is much more akin to the British system than the American. The following rules are as laid down by 'Maritime Safety Victoria, but the navigational limits relate to all of the States of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Apart from anything else, you don't need a licence. The correct term is a Certificate of Competency.

I don't know what you mean by mega-yacht, or where its fictional journeys will take it, but if it is not longer than 24 metres and does not sail beyond Australian coastal waters by more than a hundred miles, a Master's Certificate of Competency, Class 5 is what is legally required.

The pre-requisites for Applicants are as follow :-

Have attained the age of 19 years.

Have achieved the required Qualifying Service as detailed below.

Have successfully completed in the last 5 years, an approved course for Master Class 5 (Certificate III) conducted by an approved Registered Maritime Training Organisation.

Have successfully completed the relevant short courses, as detailed below.

Hold a valid Eyesight Test Certificate issued by a duly qualified Ophthalmologist or Optometrist within the previous 12 months;

MSV Application Form for a Certificate of Competency duly completed, signed, witnessed and submitted with the following documents:

documented proof of Qualifying service

photographic Proof of Identity (copy of photo ID)

two (2) passport size photographs each signed on the reverse by the applicant

references from 2 persons in the Industry attesting to the applicant's good character

the appropriate fee.

Once the Application Form and supporting documentation is approved by Marine Safety Victoria (MSV):

Satisfactorily complete an oral assessment conducted by MSV.

Relevant short courses

Hold a valid 'Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency'.

Hold a valid 'Elements of Shipboard Safety' (OH&S at Sea) course certificate.

Hold a valid 'First Aid Level 2' course certificate.

Qualifying Service

"Service" means performance of a duty related to the functions normally permitted to the holder of a Certificate for which the service qualifies.

The total Qualifying Service in an appropriate capacity should include:

A minimum of 30 months qualifying service.

And which should include within the previous 5 years:

At least 3 months service in Trading vessels.

At least 12 months service in vessels less than 35 metres in length.

In addition:

At least 50% of the qualifying service should be on a Sea Going vessel.

Service must be performed in a vessel underway in an appropriate capacity regularly engaged in deck duties for not less than 5 hours in each calendar day on vessels preferably not less than 8 metres and not more than 80 metres in length.

If the forgoing specification for vessel length or navigational limits are to be exceeded in the scenario for your novel, you will have to add further more detailed information.

Edit : Don't use the term Captain in your book. The correct term is Master. Captains only exist in the military, in Hollywood and in Cornish tin mines.

How To Obtain Captains License

Have to do it like everybody else/permit and then road test/no other way