Amateur Radio Foundation Qualification Course - 17/18 January, 2026

For anyone wanting to get into the Amateur Radio world, the CRARC Foundation Qualification Preparation Course covers many of the core concepts required to get into Amateur Radio, and optionally provides ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) accredited assessment which will allow Candidates to apply for a certificate and callsign (additional costs apply)

What this course covers:

• The basic information required to assist you to pass the Practical and Theory assessments for the Australian Amateur Radio Foundation Certificate of Proficiency (participation does not guarantee a pass)
• The basic practical technical skills to operate amateur radio equipment, with a focus on ensuring safe operating practices.
• The required practical operating procedures to use your amateur radio licence on air and ensure efficient and legal use of the amateur radio spectrum.
• The basics of electricity, transmitters, receivers, feedlines, antennas, propagation and electromagnetic radiation.

The Course operates across both Saturday and Sunday, starting at 8:30am sharp and wrapping up around 4pm on the Saturday and between 12:30 and 2:30pm on the Sunday (Dependent on candidate numbers).

No prior learning is assumed or required for this course. However a general interest in technology and basic high school science awareness will assist in comprehension of the material.

The Foundation Course learning follows closely "Your Entry to Amateur Radio" (Foundation Manual), available as an optional extra as a part of this course. This does not need to be studied prior to the course, but can be invaluable during and after the course as a reference. You can purchase the Manual from CRARC for delivery either prior to ($40) or at the course ($31) from the CRARC website: https://www.crarc.org.au/education/

All participants of the CRARC Foundation Licence Course may choose to do the ACMA Assessment to gain their amateur radio Qualification (further costs apply - see below).

PLEASE NOTE: The Amature Radio assessment and qualification process is currently in a transition phase. Due to these changes adjustments may need to be made at short notice to courses and processes. CRARC will endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum and will communicate with participants any adjustments in a timely manner.

W hat does this ticket cover/pay for?

Participation in the weekend education sessions - which aims to prepare you to undertake the Assessment offered at the end of the weekend.

Please note, the Foundation course is run by volunteers from the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club who generously give their time, we reserve the right to cancel/postpone the event if attendance does not reach a minimum of four participants.

All attendees of the course are offered a free 12 months club membership subscription after filling out a complimentary membership application form.

Cancellation/No Show

The CRARC team understands that life happens. If you need to cancel/postpone your participation in the course please get in touch prior to the course commencing via this link: Contact Us. In most cases we will be able to offer an alternative date for you to participate.

Where candidates are a No Show and have not advised prior to course commencement - refund will only be available at the discretion of CRARC.

Assessment

The opportunity to complete the Practical and Theory Assessments at the end of the weekend will be available – candidates will need to pass both assessment components and communicate with ACMA to access their certificate and callsign recommendation.

Before commencing an assessment Photographic identification is required.

If you do not wish to complete the assessment at the time of the course please contact us via the CRARC website to discuss alternative options - this includes options for people requiring specific assistance to complete the assessment.

If you wish to undertake the assessment offered at the end of the course the following costs will be payable to ACMA to receive a certificate and get your callsign which you will need to complete before you can legally get “on air”. This process will occur after the exam directly through the ACMA – more details will be provided to successful candidates on the weekend of the course.

Additional Costs

The additional costs post exam if a candidate successfully passes both the theory and practical components are payable direct to the ACMA.

Certificate of Attainment - $45.20

Callsign Application (dependant on type of callsign selected) – Between $30.15-$52.75
For more information see the CRARC Website.

Amateur Radio Class Licence

If you successfully pass the assessments, ACMA (Australian Communications Media Authority) will communicate with the candidate regarding payment for a certificate of attainment and callsign which will allow you to get “on air”.