Ship's Officer
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$121,600
Full-time annual
People employed
550
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Navigates and controls the safe operation of a ship, and supervises and coordinates the activities of deck crew.
Alternative titles
Deck Officer
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Navigates and controls the safe operation of a ship
- Supervises and coordinates the activities of deck crew
- Assists in the planning of a ship's course and monitors its progress
- Ensures compliance with maritime regulations and safety procedures
- Manages cargo operations and equipment inspections
- Maintains accurate records of a ship's activities, including logbooks and reports
- Communicates with other ships, ports and authorities
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
6%
Female rate
10%
Median age
40
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+5%
554 projected jobs
to 2035
+12%
1,265 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 2
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Maritime Operations
Occupation ready
Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited)
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
18
ACT · May 2026
0
VIC · May 2026
5
NT · May 2026
6
SA · May 2026
4
NSW · May 2026
6
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Ship's Officer.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - South West
517 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - South West
517 employed
WA
-23.18%
year on year
- 2
Gold Coast
490 employed
QLD
+9.13%
year on year
- 3
Cairns
487 employed
QLD
-2.21%
year on year
- 4
Perth - North West
453 employed
WA
-22.56%
year on year
- 5
Brisbane - East
450 employed
QLD
+19.36%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
1,490
Moved in from another occupation
250
Moved to another occupation
185
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 313436
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.