Tug Master

Get to Know Us

For more than 190 years, Svitzer has relied on skilled tug crews to support the safe movement of vessels through our ports. Whether you’re on the lines, in the engine room, or at the helm, your work matters. Join a team that values safety, professionalism, and the kind of pride that comes from doing a job well.

Do you have a passion for leading a safety focused crew? If so, we’re looking for a Tug Master to join our team in Melbourne on a casual basis.

As the role may require stepping in at short notice, preference will be given to candidates who live within two hours of the port or are willing to relocate at their own expense.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

This is a great opportunity to step into a leadership role where your experience makes a real impact. You’ll lead a capable, safety-focused crew in a supportive team environment, with strong backing from shore-based management and a culture that values collaboration and professionalism.

It’s also an exciting time to join, with a growing focus on innovation and sustainability. You’ll benefit from ongoing development and the chance to further build your leadership capability while working in a dynamic and rewarding maritime setting.

This casual role offers an attractive daily rate of $672.82 per day , plus 15.5% employer superannuation . As a casual you will receive 100% casual loading. You'll be rewarded with competitive remuneration while enjoying the flexibility of casual employment and the opportunity to work with a professional, experienced maritime team.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Tug Master, you’ll take the lead onboard - guiding your crew and delivering safe, reliable towage every day. Reporting to the Port Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Taking command of the tug and leading a capable, safety-focused crew
• Ensuring the vessel is operationally ready - from stores and crew attendance to daily checks
• Maintaining compliance with safety procedures and maritime regulations
• Supporting crew performance and development, and escalating issues when needed
• Assisting with vessel maintenance and keeping operational records accurate and up to date
• Leading safety onboard through inductions, drills, and ongoing training
• Sharing your knowledge and helping build capability across the team

What You’ll Bring

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring

• A minimum Master

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.