The AMC Amateur Radio Office is the body in Australia that issues amateur radio qualifications and callsigns, under delegation from the Australian Government. The office is part of the Australian Maritime College, Australia’s national centre for maritime training, education and research.

Yes, you require a certificate of proficiency and a callsign to operate.

Certificates of Proficiency are issued for life and do not need renewing.

Yes. On our website you will find a searchable database of Publicly Available Callsigns.

Complete and submit the required paperwork. Information and forms are located on our website under callsigns.

There are three grades of amateur licence:

Foundation
Standard
Advanced

Each grade offers progressively increasing privileges – more frequency bands and more transmitter power.

The Foundation licence is intended as an introduction to the hobby.  The course is normally conducted over a weekend.

No, you may study for any of the three levels.

An assessor is a person whom is certified to supervise examinations. A list of assessors is located on the website under Authorised Assessors.

Yes, a candidate may re-sit the examination as many times as it takes to gain the Certificate of Proficiency. Each time the candidate must pay the current processing fee and submit a photo. However, after the second or third attempt the candidate or assessor should query the circumstances and reassess the situation.

A comprehensive list of Australian Amateur Radio Clubs may be found on our website here: AMC Radio Clubs.

The pass mark for all written examinations is 70%. For the practical assessment you must be competent for all learning outcomes.

Foundation examination – 30 Minutes

Standard examination – 60 Minutes

Advanced examination – 90 Minutes

Regulations examination – 30 Minutes

Practical Assessment – 40 Minutes

AMC Amateur Radio Office offers an RPL process for Standard and Advanced level certificates. Further information on the RPL process is on our website here: Recognition of prior learning

AMC Amateur Radio is also responsible for reissuing certificates that have been lost, damaged or require a name change. Information and forms are located on our website here: Replacement of Certificates.

Visiting amateur radio operators may apply for a reciprocal licence and callsign based on their overseas qualification. The Reciprocal Licence is valid for a period of up to 12 months and is non-renewable. Further information is available on the ACMA website.

No. The regulatory requirement is for a licensee to update their station/contact details if they move interstate by contacting the ACMA on 1300 850 115.