Compass Australia is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ACMA, AMSA, the Australian Maritime College, Service NSW, or Australian Sailing. It does not issue a radio qualification or boat licence.
Compass AustraliaCompass Australia study companion
Australian Marine Radio Study Companion
Direct answer
Independent Australian marine-radio preparation with distinct AWQ and SROCP tracks, DSC boundaries, and fictional spoken-call practice. Compass provides independent knowledge preparation only. It does not administer an official examination, award certification, demonstrate practical competence, or replace current instructions from an authorized provider or authority. AWQ statements of attainment are issued by suitable RTOs; SROCP examinations and certificates are administered through the Australian Maritime College framework.
- Price
- $39.99 once
- Course size
- 9 modules
- Access
- Lifetime access
- Format
- Independent online study companion
Product tour
Try the revision loop here
This is a working, course-specific sample. Read one rule, answer a real-style question, flip a recall card, and see how the next action is chosen.
Open the full free moduleChoose the qualification before the procedure
One rule, explained clearly
Australian marine-radio preparation begins by separating the qualification pathways. The Australian Waters Qualification has a defined domestic scope, while the SROCP pathway covers VHF radiotelephony and DSC/GMDSS knowledge for its intended use. The vessel, equipment, operating area, and current ACMA requirements determine which route is appropriate.
Course route
Learn the knowledge, then take it afloat with an instructor
Qualification Choice and Boundaries
ACMA operator requirements, AWQ scope, SROCP scope, LROCP and higher pathways, certificate administrators, age boundaries, and choosing the qualification for the station and voyage.
Open moduleEquipment, Range, Licensing, and Stations
VHF and 27 MHz distinctions, station licensing context, set controls, aerials, power, line-of-sight range, coast stations, repeaters, battery checks, and installation limitations.
Open modulePhonetics, Procedure Words, and Routine Traffic
Standard phonetics, figures, callsigns, station identification, procedure words, readability, channel selection, calling and working traffic, corrections, and radio discipline.
Open moduleAustralian Channels and Coast Services
Channel 16, working channels, repeater and local-service awareness, coast and volunteer rescue services, weather and safety broadcasts, local port requirements, and checking current channel information.
Open moduleDistress Procedure
Distress threshold, voice MAYDAY, DSC awareness for the SROCP track, position, identity, nature, assistance, persons aboard, acknowledgement, relay, silence, and false alerts.
Open moduleUrgency and Safety Procedure
Urgency and safety thresholds, PAN PAN and SECURITE structures, medical urgency, navigation warnings, weather information, escalation, and current channel arrangements.
Open moduleAWQ Australian-Waters Track
MARC059 scope, VHF operation within Australian territorial waters, routine and emergency communication, equipment checks, local information, RTO assessment boundary, and avoiding imported SROCP content.
Open moduleSROCP International VHF and DSC Track
Internationally recognised VHF operator scope, DSC, MMSI, Channel 70, GMDSS concepts, distress alerts, routine DSC awareness, voice follow-up, equipment and examination boundary.
Open moduleVerbal-Call Practice and Official Boundary
Fictional routine, distress, urgency, and safety scenarios; AWQ/SROCP track selection; self-checking; phonetic accuracy; no recording; privacy; and official examination boundaries.
Open moduleWhat the companion includes
Clear knowledge and practical boundaries
- Original lessons and explanations
- At least 18 explained questions and 12 flashcards per module
- Three 40-question mixed knowledge assessments
- Australia terminology, jurisdiction, and primary-source context
- Practical-awareness prompts clearly separated from assessed knowledge
Not included
- An AWQ statement of attainment, SROCP certificate, or boat licence
- RTO or Australian Maritime College assessment
- Copied examination questions, charts, manuals, or official diagrams
- A claim that AWQ and SROCP have the same scope
- A substitute for current ACMA, AMSA, state, or local requirements
Editorial record
Primary-source review
Original content is reviewed against current Australian government and examination-authority sources. State and territory boating requirements remain separate.
- ACMA marine radio qualifications
Current AWQ, SROCP, LROCP, MSCE, and GMDSS qualification boundaries.
- ACMA marine radio protocols and procedures
Current Australian calling, working-channel, distress-frequency, and operator-procedure guidance.
- MARC059 Australian Waters Qualification unit
National unit scope for VHF operation within Australian territorial waters.
- Australian Maritime College marine radio certificates
Official SROCP examination and certificate administration context.