Description
Australian Marine Mammal Observer (AMMO) – Regional Course
This course provides detailed regional and regulatory training for Marine Mammal Observers operating within Australian waters, with a primary focus on legislative frameworks, environmental compliance, and reporting requirements.
Important: Course Scope
This course provides regional theoretical training only and is designed to complement the MMO Foundation Course.
It does not, on its own, constitute full MMO certification.
Course Overview
The Australian MMO Course (AMMO) focuses on how marine mammal mitigation is implemented within Australian jurisdictions, with particular emphasis on:
- Regulatory frameworks
- Environmental protection requirements
- Species-specific considerations
- Data collection and reporting obligations
You will develop an understanding of how legislation is applied in real-world offshore operations, and how MMOs contribute to compliance under Australian law.
Legislative Focus
This course includes detailed coverage of:
- The EPBC Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)
- EPBC Act Policy Statement 2.1 – Interaction between offshore seismic exploration and whales
- Regional permitting requirements
- State vs Commonwealth jurisdictional differences
- International agreements influencing Australian regulation
Data & Reporting Systems
A core component of this course is the accurate collection and reporting of marine mammal data.
This includes full training in the use of the:
- Cetacean Sighting Application (CSA)
You will learn:
- Data entry protocols
- Reporting accuracy requirements
- Common errors and system limitations
- Regulatory importance of defensible data
What You Will Learn
- How Australian waters are governed
- Fundamentals of maritime jurisdiction
- The purpose and evolution of marine environmental regulation
- International mechanisms for marine mammal protection
- Structures responsible for environmental protection
- Regional species of concern and biologically important areas
- Permit conditions and region-specific operational requirements
- Data collection standards and CSA reporting procedures
- Differences between state and Commonwealth legislation
Course Structure
- Approximate study commitment: 2–4 hours a Day (depending on experience)
- Includes:
- Video lessons
- Regulatory interpretation
- Practical data entry guidance
- Assessments
Assessment & Standards
All assessments are:
- Automatically graded
- Held to a 100% pass requirement
This standard ensures:
- Regulatory defensibility
- Operational accuracy
- Professional competency in real-world MMO roles
Assessment conditions:
- Each attempt overwrites the previous submission
- Multiple unsuccessful attempts may trigger facilitator review
- Course progression may be reset if required
Correct answers are not provided, as this would compromise certification integrity.
Certification
Upon successful completion, you will receive a:
Certificate of Achievement – Australian MMO Regional Course
This certificate:
- Confirms theoretical understanding of Australian regulatory requirements
- Must be combined with the MMO Foundation Course for full theoretical MMO training
Certification is issued to the individual who completes the course and is non-transferable.
Career Relevance
This course supports work within:
- Offshore MMO roles (Australia)
- Environmental compliance teams
- Fisheries and monitoring programmes
- Marine parks and conservation roles
- Research and consultancy
Professional Expectation
Operating as an MMO in Australian waters requires:
- Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks
- Accurate and defensible data reporting
- Awareness of regional sensitivities and species protection
- Ability to interpret permit conditions in real time
This course is designed to develop these competencies to an industry-relevant standard.
Support
Facilitators are available to assist with:
- Legislative interpretation
- Reporting systems
- Course content clarification
Important Note on Certification
The certificate will be issued upon completion of the course.
Students must ensure:
- All personal details are entered correctly
- A passport-style photograph is uploaded
Certificates are issued only to the individual completing the course and cannot be reassigned.
