Guidance
DAO qualification specification: Level 3
Qualifications for Defence Awarding Organisation courses.
Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dao-qualification-handbooks-level-3-courses
Change description : 2025-10-02 14:32:00: Removed ‘DAO Level 3 Diploma for Mechanical and Electrical Draughtsman (Military Engineering)’ as this qualification has been withdrawn. [Guidance and regulation]
Showing diff : 2025-09-09 16:16:44.438132598 +00:00..2025-10-02 13:34:34.984213306 +00:00
Qualifications for Defence Awarding Organisation courses.
Our contact email address has changed to DEFAC-DAO@mod.gov.uk. Any other email address stated on any of our documents should not be used.
Qualification hand books for Defence Awarding Organisation courses.
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Removed 'DAO Level 3 Diploma for Mechanical and Electrical Draughtsman (Military Engineering)' as this qualification has been withdrawn.
Added 'DAO Level 3 Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (SSM) - 610/6240/6'.
Removed 'DAO Level 3 Award in Operating a Communication System' as this qualification has been withdrawn.
Added 'DAO Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instruction and Strength and Conditioning'.
Qualifications for Defence Awarding Organisation courses updated.
Removed 'DAO Level 3 in Leadership' as this qualification has been withdrawn.
Updated DAO Level 3 Award in Defence Guarding and Security: qualification handbook.
Removed 'DAO Level 3 Award in Sign Production' as this qualification has been withdrawn and will not be replaced.
Updated: DAO Level 3 Award for Immediate Emergency Care Provider: qualification handbook.
Added 'DAO Level 3 Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (SSM)' and 'DAO Level 3 Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (TSM)'.
Removed 'DAO Level 3 Certificate in Disaster Relief Engineering: qualification handbook' as this qualification is no longer being awarded.
Added new contact information.
Updated: 'DAO Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work: qualification handbook' and 'DAO Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid in the Workplace: qualification handbook'.
Removed: DAO Level 3 Certificate in Military Engineering (Armoured) Titan and Trojan Crew Supervision: qualification handbook as it has been withdrawn and there is no replacement.
Removed withdrawn handbooks: Level 3 Diploma Submarine Data Analysts (TSM) and Level 3 Diploma Submarine Data Analysts (SSM).
Added: DAO Level 3 Award in Education and Training: qualification handbook.
Added: DAO Level 3 Award in: Education and Training - qualification handbook.
Added updated handbook for: DAO Level 3 Award in Education and Training: qualification handbook.
Removed: DAO Level 3 Award in Aviation and Venue Security: qualification handbook as this course is no longer offered.
Updayed: DAO Level 3 Award in Human Resource Practice Qualification Handbook, DAO Level 3 Award in Coaching and Mentoring and DAO Level 3 Award in Leadership.
Addition of 'DAO Level 3 Award in Coaching and Mentoring'.
Addition of 'DAO Level 3 Award in Leadership'.
Updated: DAO Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid in the Workplace and DAO Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work qualification handbooks.
Updated: DAO Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work qualification handbook and DAO Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid in the Workplace qualification handbook.
Updated: the DAO Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid in the Workplace: qualification handbook.
Addition of: DAO Level 3 Award in Human Resource Practice Qualification Handbook.
'DAO Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid in the Workplace: qualification handbook' updated.
Added: DAO Level 3 Award in Fitness Instruction and Personal Training.
Added: DAO Level 3 Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (SSM): qualification handbook (Updated 11 December).
Added update: DAO Level 3 Diploma in Construction Materials Technology: qualification handbook.
Updated: DAO Level 3 Diploma in Nuclear Submarine Engineering Systems: qualification handbook.
Updated: DAO Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement: qualification handbook.
Addition of: DAO Level 3 Award in Logistics Operations.
Added DAO Level 3 Award in Operating a Communication System qualification handbook (Updated 21 May 2020).
Removal of the L3 Award in Leadership Fundamentals handbook.
Removed 'DAO Level 3 Award for Imprest Officers: qualification handbook'. This document is now obsolete.
Amended the DAO Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work: qualification handbook.
Added an updated version of DAO Level 3 Diploma in Military Music: qualification handbook.
Added: DAO Level 3 Award in Working in Confined Spaces (Person in Charge)
Added: DAO Level 3 Certificate in Knowledge Information and Management: qualification handbook
Added: Level 3 Award in Sign Production Updated: Level 3 Diploma in Military Music: qualification handbook
Updated the DAO Level 3 Award for Immediate Emergency Care Provider: qualification handbook.
Added DAO Level 3 Diploma in UW Surface Ship Data Analyst: qualification handbook.
Added the DAO Level 3 Award in Aviation and Venue Security and DAO Level 3 Award for Immediate Emergency Care Provider qualification handbooks.
Updated the DAO Level 3 Diploma in Military Music: qualification handbook.
Added Level 3 Diploma in Military Music and Level 3 Diploma in Stock Control and Accounting qualification handbooks.
Added DAO Level 3 Award for Ships Crane Pedestal Operators.
Added Level 3 Award in Defence Guarding and Security: qualification handbook.
Added Level 3 Certificate in Military Engineering (Armoured) Titan and Trojan Crew Supervision: qualification handbook.
Added Level 3 Award in Defence Information Support Administrator and Level 3 Diploma for Mechanical and Electrical Draughtsman qualification handbooks.
Removed the L3 Award in Defence Harassment Investigation handbook as the qualification is no longer offered.
Added Level 3 Award in Leadership Fundamentals: qualification handbook.
Updated the DAO Level 3 Diploma for Construction Draughtsman.
Added Level 3 Diploma in Building and Structural Finishing (Military Engineering) handbook.
Added DAO Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery (Military Engineering) .
Updated DAO Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Survey (Military Engineering).
Added DAO Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Studies and Practice (Military Engineering).
Added updated Level 3 Certificate in Small Arms Instruction: qualification handbook, Level 3 Certificate in Range Management: qualification handbook, Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying and Concreting (Military Engineering): qualification handbook, Level 3 Diploma in Building and Structural Finishing (Military Engineering): qualification handbook and Level 3 Diploma in Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal: qualification handbook.
Added updated Level 3 Award in Defence Information Support: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work, Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Introduction To Workplace Coaching and Mentoring: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Performance Appraisal: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Postal Accounting Management Transactions: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Supply Chain Inventory Management: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Workplace Coaching: qualification handbook, Level 3 Certificate in Disaster Relief Engineering: qualification handbook, Level 3 Certificate in Knowledge Information and Management: qualification handbook and Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management Principles: qualification handbook.
Added updated Level 3 Award in Marksmanship and Coaching: qualification handbook, Level 3 Diploma for Military Personnel Administrators: qualification handbook and Level 3 Diploma in Nuclear Submarine Engineering Systems: qualification handbook.
Added updated versions of Level 3 Award for Imprest Officers: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Education and Training: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Health, Welfare and Recovery: qualification handbook, and Level 3 Award in Management: qualification handbook.
Added updated Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement: qualification handbook, Level 3 Award in Defence Harassment Investigation: qualification handbook, Level 3 Certificate in Supervisory Management in Transport Operations: qualification handbook, and Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Communications: qualification handbook.
Added updated DAO Level 3 Award In First Aid at Work.: qualification handbook.
Added updated Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement: qualification handbook.
Added updated DAO Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement: qualification handbook.
Added updated level 3 award in facilitating learning: qualification handbook.
Added updated DAO level 3 award in education and training handbook.
Added the following Level 3 DAO qualification handbooks: Award in Postal Accounting Management Transactions; Award in Supply Chain Inventory Management; Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (SSM); Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (TSM).
Added DAO Level 3 Award in Performance Appraisal: qualification handbook.
Added DAO Level 3 Certificate in Small Arms Instruction qualification handbook.
Added DAO Level 3 qualification handbooks for: Award in Marksmanship and Coaching; Award in Introduction to Workplace Coaching and Mentoring; Award in Management; Award in Workplace Coaching; Certificate in Disaster Relief Engineering; Certificate in Knowledge Information and Management; Certificate in Leadership and Management Principles; Certificate in Supervisory Management in Transport Operations.
Added qualification handbooks for the following: Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement; Level 3 Award in Defence Harassment Investigation; Level 3 Award in Defence Information Support; Level 3 Award in Education and Training; Level 3 Award in Facilitating Learning; Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work; Level 3 Award in Health, Welfare and Recovery; Level 3 Certificate in Plant Task Supervision; Level 3 Certificate in Range Management; Level 3 Diploma in Applied Aviation Studies; Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying and Concreting; Level 3 Diploma in Building and Structural Finishing; Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery; Level 3 Diploma in Construction Materials Technology; Level 3 Diploma in Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Survey; Level 3 Diploma in Military Personnel Administrators; Level 3 Diploma in Nuclear Submarine Engineering Systems; Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Communications.
First published.
2025-10-02 14:32
Removed ‘DAO Level 3 Diploma for Mechanical and Electrical Draughtsman (Military Engineering)’ as this qualification has been withdrawn.
2025-09-09 17:16
Added ‘DAO Level 3 Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (SSM) – 610/6240/6’.
2025-05-19 09:43
Removed ‘DAO Level 3 Award in Operating a Communication System’ as this qualification has been withdrawn.
2025-04-24 15:57
Added ‘DAO Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instruction and Strength and Conditioning’.
2024-02-28 10:42
Qualifications for Defence Awarding Organisation courses updated.
2024-02-16 15:59
Removed ‘DAO Level 3 in Leadership’ as this qualification has been withdrawn.
2023-12-21 11:59
Updated DAO Level 3 Award in Defence Guarding and Security: qualification handbook.
2023-11-23 14:20
Removed ‘DAO Level 3 Award in Sign Production’ as this qualification has been withdrawn and will not be replaced.
2023-09-08 14:46
Updated: DAO Level 3 Award for Immediate Emergency Care Provider: qualification handbook.
2023-05-10 14:41
Added ‘DAO Level 3 Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (SSM)’ and ‘DAO Level 3 Diploma in Submarine Data Analyst (TSM)’.
2023-04-27 15:28
Removed ‘DAO Level 3 Certificate in Disaster Relief Engineering: qualification handbook’ as this qualification is no longer being awarded.
2022-11-17 10:30
Added new contact information.
2022-09-01 09:30
Updated: ‘DAO Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work: qualification handbook’ and ‘DAO Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid in the Workplace: qualification handbook’.
2022-05-30 14:48
Removed: DAO Level 3 Certificate in Military Engineering (Armoured) Titan and Trojan Crew Supervision: qualification handbook as it has been withdrawn and there is no replacement.
2022-05-05 08:59
Removed withdrawn handbooks: Level 3 Diploma Submarine Data Analysts (TSM) andLevel 3 Diploma Submarine Data Analysts (SSM).