Complete sea service performing functions for your current certificate for one of the following:

• At least 12 months in total during the preceding 5 years before application
• 3 months in total during the preceding 6 months prior to revalidating.

For revalidation of a certificate of safety training only AMSA will accept service on facilities operating in a marine environment. Examples include oil rigs, barges, non-propelled accommodation barges, accommodation barges berthed in a port. The applicant must provide evidence that they attended regular drills and emergency exercises.

All certificates and training must comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and be with an organisation we have approved.

If you are revalidating your certificate and you are an overseas permanent resident, the Personal survival techniques and Fire prevention and fire fighting STCW short courses may be completed in a country we have an agreement with.

With required sea service

If you already have the required sea service, you will need to:

• Obtain a letter(s) from your employer(s) confirming:
  • sea service
  • your participation in the mandatory abandon ship and fire drills required by SOLAS
  • your participation in scheduled drills required by the on board safety management system (see sample template).
• Complete Security Awareness Training—this training only needs to be completed once and does not need to be repeated.
• Keep the original of this letter and send us a copy with your application.
• Complete continued competence training for the STCW short courses in Basic fire fighting and Personal survival techniques in the previous 5 years.

These continued competence training courses are valid for up to 5 years.

Note: An international STCW certificate of competency, certificate of proficiency or certificate of safety training only remains valid if you have, within the previous five years, completed a full course or continued competence training in sea survival and firefighting at the appropriate level. Failing to do this will mean your certificate will lapse and you will not be able to serve on a vessel.  Similar continued competence training requirements apply for the Fast Rescue Boat endorsement. This is a STCW Convention requirement introduced by the 2010 Manilla amendments.

Note: Continued competence training is also known as refresher training by foreign flag state administrations.

Without required sea service

If you do not have the required sea service, you will need to:

• Complete the full STCW short course in fire prevention and fire fighting (basic fire fighting).
• Complete the full STCW short course in personal survival techniques.
• Complete security awareness training—this training only needs to be completed once and does not need to be repeated.

Read more about approved training organisations and revalidating your current certificate.

You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419.

Lodging from within Australia

You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet. 

You will need to pay the fees for your application at the post office at the time of lodgement. The fee will include the cost of the colour passport photograph.

Lodging from overseas

You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and send the paperwork to us at our postal or courier address:

• Postal address—Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Seafarer Certification Service, Operations, GPO Box 2181, Canberra City, ACT 2601, Australia
• Courier address—Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Seafarer Certification Service, Operations, 82 Northbourne Avenue Braddon, ACT 2612, Australia

You will need to include payment with your application.