In accordance with subsection 15(2) of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (the Act), if you are registered to practice an occupation in New Zealand you are entitled to practice an equivalent occupation in Australia.
If you hold a certificate issued by New Zealand under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), you may be eligible for an AMSA Certificate of recognition. This certificate would be a recognition equal to the limits, conditions and restrictions of your New Zealand primary certificate.
How to apply
You will need to fill out Notice of Registration Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA) for Seafarers form 887.
When you complete this form, send it to us with the following documents:
- Copy of your current passport.
- Copy of a valid certificate of competency issued by Maritime New Zealand.
- Copy of your Certificate of medical fitness completed by an AMSA approved medical inspector of seafarers. Find out more about seafarer medical fitness checks in Australia.
- Evidence of New Zealand permanent residency or citizenship. If you do not have New Zealand permanent residency or citizenship you are not eligible to apply under the Act.
- Payment of fees of A$190 per certificate of recognition. We will tell you how you can pay once we receive your application.
You will need to submit your application by mailing the completed form and supporting documents to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au.
Please make sure you include your photograph as a JPEG as we print the photograph on your certificate.
Processing your application
On receiving your application we complete an authenticity check with Maritime New Zealand.
Once we have received the complete application, please allow up to 28 days for it to be considered. The assessment process may take longer if we do not receive all of the information or documents requested. We will not accept liability for documents lost in transit.
We do not provide oral or written advice, including by email, on either the acceptability of your application or its likely decision before it is formally lodged and considered. Our application fees must be paid at the time of lodgement of an application, or the application cannot be accepted.
Related information
- Working in Australian waters when holding a New Zealand issued domestic (near coastal) certificate.