At a glance
For initial issue of an Integrated Rating, you need to:
- Hold a valid AMSA medical (303)
- Hold a Certificate of Safety Training (CoST)
- Complete approved training
- Complete qualifying sea service for your pathway
- Prepare your documents
- Apply to AMSA
Ready to apply? Complete Seafarer form 419 now
On this page:
- About this certificate
- Eligibility requirements
- Training and sea service
- Supporting documents
- How to apply
- Keep your certificate valid
- Add an endorsement
- Career pathways
About this certificate
An Integrated Rating (IR) is an STCW certificate of proficiency (CoP).
It allows you to work in both the deck and engine departments on vessels of any size, in any operating area.
With this certificate, you can:
- form part of a navigational watch in the deck department
- form part of an engine room watch in the engine department
- carry out deck and engine operational duties.
Eligibility requirements
To be issued this certificate, you must:
- be at least 18 years old
- hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- hold a valid Certificate of Safety Training (CoST)
- complete an AMSA-approved Integrated Rating course
- meet qualifying sea service requirements for your pathway.
You do not need a sea service assessment for this certificate.
Before you start
You should get your AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303) before you start training or sea service.
You must be medically fit to work at sea, including meeting colour vision requirements, for this certificate.
Approved training course
To be eligible for this certificate, you must complete an approved training course and the required STCW short courses with an AMSA approved training provider.
Make sure your training provider is approved
You must complete these courses with an AMSA-approved training provider.
We do not accept training completed with other providers or overseas.
Certificate course
You must complete a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating).
STCW short course
You also need:
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats) (STCW A-VI/2)
- STCW basic safety training (CoST) (STCW Reg VI/1), if not already completed
Recognition of prior learning
Your AMSA-approved training provider can:
- confirm which units are included in your course
- assess whether your existing training meets the requirements
- advise if your previous training may count through recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Qualifying sea service
The sea service you need depends on your experience.
Choose the option that matches your situation.
Sea service rules
- Your sea service only counts after you are issued your Certificate of Safety Training (CoST).
- Sea service as a General Purpose Hand (GPH) is not accepted for ratings certificates
- Trainee IR sea service only counts after you complete the theory component of your Integrated Rating course.
- Special rules apply for some vessel types, including FPSOs, FSOs and dredgers.
Check the rules about sea service for STCW certificates.
- If you are new to STCW ratings (including near coastal)
Use this pathway if you don't have any qualifying sea service yet.
What you need
1) A Certificate of Safety Training (CoST)
2) At least 9 months qualifying sea service
3) IR TAGS books 1-5 (with steering certificate)1) Get your Certificate of Safety Training
You need a Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) before you start qualifying sea service in Australia
Find out how to get a CoST.
2) Meet qualifying sea service requirements
You must complete 270 days (9 months) of qualifying sea service including sea service as a trainee deck rating, engine room rating and integrated rating.
Deck rating trainee
Your total sea service must include:
- at least 60 days (2 months)
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length
- in the deck department
- as a trainee deck rating, forming part of a navigational watch
- while holding a valid CoST.
Engine room rating trainee
Your total sea service must include:
- at least 60 days (2 months)
- on vessels with propulsion power of 750kW or more
- in the engine room
- as a trainee engine room rating, forming part of an engine room watch
- while holding a valid CoST.
Trainee Integrated Rating experience
Your total sea service must include:
- at least 150 days (5 months)
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length and/or with propulsion power of 750kW or more
- as a trainee or provisional Integrated Rating
- performing duties in both the deck and engine departments
- under supervision of a deck officer, Chief Officer or Chief Integrated Rating for navigational watch duties and an engineering officer or Chief Integrated Rating for engine room watch duties
- while holding a valid CoST.
You will need to provide evidence of your sea service when you apply.
Find out how to prepare your evidence.
Timing of sea service
You must complete your sea service after you finish your training course.
Any sea time served before completing the course does not count as qualifying sea service.3) Complete TAGS books
You must complete the required Task and Guided Study (TAGS) workbooks during your onboard training and sea service:
- IR TAGS books (1-5)
Your steering certificate is completed as part of TAGS book 1.
It confirms you completed:
- at least 10 hours of steering practice
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length
- including 4 hours while the vessel is underway and being actively navigated.
AMSA does not issue TAGs books
Your AMSA-approved training provider will issue, review and assess your TAGS books and issue you a TAGs completion certificate.
Include the TAGS completion certificate with your application. Do not submit your TAGS books.
- If you hold a Navigational Watch Rating certificate
What you need
1) A Navigational Watch Rating (STCW II/4) certificate
2) At least 2 months as a trainee engine rating and at least 5 months as an IR
3) IR TAGS books 1-51) Check your prerequisite
To use this option, you must already hold a Navigational Watch Rating (STCW II/4) certificate.
2) Complete remaining qualifying sea service requirements
You must complete a total of 270 days (9 months) of qualifying sea service.
Because you hold a NWR, you can count your previous experience as deck rating towards the total 9 months qualifying sea service.
You will only need to complete sea service as an engine room rating and trainee IR.
Timing of sea service
You must complete your remaining sea service after you finish the theory component of your training course.
Any sea time served before completing the course does not count as qualifying sea service.Engine room rating trainee
Your total sea service must include:
- at least 60 days (2 months)
- on vessels with propulsion power of 750kW or more
- in the engine room
- as a trainee engine room rating, forming part of an engine room watch
- while holding a valid CoST.
Trainee Integrated Rating
Your total sea service must include:
- at least 150 days (5 months)
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length and/or with propulsion power of 750kW or more
- as a trainee or provisional Integrated Rating
- performing duties in both the deck and engine departments
- under supervision of a deck officer, Chief Officer or Chief Integrated Rating for navigational watch duties and an engineering officer or Chief Integrated Rating for engine room watch duties
- while holding a valid CoST.
You still need to provide evidence of your deck rating experience when you apply. The total qualifying sea service must be 270 days (9 months).
Find out how to prepare your evidence.
3) Complete TAGS books
Complete the required Task and Guided Study (TAGS) workbooks during your onboard training and sea service:
- IR TAGS books (1-5)
You may have already completed some TAGS books through previous training. For example TAGS Books 1 – Deck watchkeeping/steering.
Your AMSA-approved training provider will confirm which TAGS books you still need to complete
AMSA does not issue TAGs books
Your AMSA-approved training provider will issue, review and assess your TAGS books and issue you a TAGs completion certificate.
Include the TAGS completion certificate with your application. Do not submit your TAGS books.Example
Maria already holds an AMSA-issued NWR certificate.
To qualify for an Integrated Rating, she still needs to complete:
- at least 2 months qualifying sea service as an engine room rating trainee
- at least 5 months qualifying sea service as a trainee or provisional Integrated Rating
- TAGS books 2-5 as required by her training provider.
Maria must complete her EWR and trainee IR sea service after she has completed the IR training course.
She needs to provide evidence of her total 270 days (9 months) qualifying sea service when she applies.
- If you hold an Engine Room Watch Rating certificate
What you need
1) An Engine Room Watch Rating (STCW III/4) certificate
2) At least 2 months as a trainee deck rating and at least 5 months as a trainee IR
3) IR TAGS books 1-5 (with steering certificate)1) Check your prerequisite
To use this option, you must already hold a Engine Room Watch Rating (STCW III/4) certificate.
2) Complete remaining qualifying sea service requirements
You must complete a total of 270 days (9 months) of qualifying sea service.
Because you hold an EWR, you can count your previous experience as an engine rating towards the total 9 months qualifying sea service.
You will only need to complete sea service as trainee deck rating and trainee IR.
Timing of sea service
You must complete your remaining sea service after you finish the theory component of your training course.
Any sea time served before completing the course does not count as qualifying sea service.Deck rating trainee
Your total sea service must include:
- at least 60 days (2 months)
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length
- in the deck department
- as a trainee deck rating, forming part of a navigational watch
- while holding a valid CoST.
Trainee Integrated Rating
Your total sea service must include:
- at least 150 days (5 months)
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length and/or with propulsion power of 750kW or more
- as a trainee or provisional Integrated Rating
- performing duties in both the deck and engine departments
- under supervision of a deck officer, Chief Officer or Chief Integrated Rating for navigational watch duties and an engineering officer or Chief Integrated Rating for engine room watch duties
- while holding a valid CoST.
You still need to provide evidence of your engine rating sea service when you apply. The total qualifying sea service must be 270 days (9 months).
Find out how to prepare your evidence.
3) Complete TAGS books
You must complete the required Task and Guided Study (TAGS) workbooks during your onboard training and sea service:
- IR TAGS books (1-5)
Your steering certificate is completed as part of TAGS book 1.
It confirms you completed:
- at least 10 hours of steering practice
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length
- including 4 hours while the vessel is underway and being actively navigated.
You may have already completed some TAGS books through previous training. For example TAGS Books 3 (EWR).
Your AMSA-approved training provider will confirm which TAGS books you still need to complete.
AMSA does not issue TAGs books
Your AMSA-approved training provider will issue, review and assess your TAGS books and issue you a TAGs completion certificate.
Include the TAGS completion certificate with your application. Do not submit your TAGS books.Example
Maria already holds an AMSA-issued EWR certificate.
To qualify for an Integrated Rating, she still needs to complete:
- at least 2 months qualifying sea service as a trainee deck rating
- at least 5 months qualifying sea service as a trainee or provisional Integrated Rating
- TAGS books 1-5 as required by her training provider.
Maria must complete her trainee deck rating and trainee IR sea service after she has completed the IR training course.
She needs to provide evidence of her total 270 days (9 months) qualifying sea service when she applies.
- If you hold an Able Seafarer - Deck certificate
What you need
1) A valid Able Seafarer - Deck
2) At least 6 months qualifying sea service
3) IR TAGS books 1-51) Check your prerequisites
You must already hold an Able Seafarer - Deck (STCW II/5) certificate.
This pathway allows you to gain the engine room experience required for the integrated role.
2) Meet qualifying sea service requirements
You must complete:
- at least 180 days (6 months)
- on vessels with propulsion power of 750kW or more
- in the engine room
- as a trainee engine room rating, forming part of an engine room watch
- while holding a valid Able Seafarer - Deck (STCW II/5)
You will need to provide evidence of your sea service when you apply.
Find out how to prepare your evidence.
Timing of sea service
You must complete your engine room sea service after you finish the theory component of your training course.
Any sea time served before completing the course does not count as qualifying sea service.3) Complete TAGS books
You must complete the required Task and Guided Study (TAGS) workbooks during your onboard training and sea service:
- IR TAGS books (1-5)
You may have already completed some TAGS books through previous training. For example TAGS Books 1 – Deck watchkeeping/steering.
Your AMSA-approved training provider will confirm which TAGS books you still need to complete.
AMSA does not issue TAGs books
Your AMSA-approved training provider will issue, review and assess your TAGS books and issue you a TAGs completion certificate.
Include the TAGS completion certificate with your application. Do not submit your TAGS books.
- If you hold an Able Seafarer - Engine certificate
What you need
1) A valid Able Seafarer - Engine (STCW III/5)
2) At least 6 months qualifying sea service
3) IR TAGS books 1-5 (with steering certificate)1) Check your prerequisites
You must already hold an Able Seafarer - Engine (STCW III/5) certificate.
This pathway allows you to gain the deck experience required for the integrated role.
2) Meet qualifying sea service requirements
You must complete:
- at least 180 days (6 months)
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length
- in the deck department
- as a trainee deck rating, forming part of a navigational watch
- while holding a valid Able Seafarer - Engine (STCW II/5)
You will need to provide evidence of your sea service when you apply.
Find out how to prepare your evidence.
Timing of sea service
You must complete your engine room sea service after you finish the theory component of your training course.
Any sea time served before completing the course does not count as qualifying sea service.3) Complete TAGS books (with steering certificate)
You must complete the required Task and Guided Study (TAGS) workbooks during your onboard training and sea service:
- IR TAGS books (1-5)
Your steering certificate is completed as part of TAGS book 1.
It confirms you completed:
- at least 10 hours of steering practice
- on vessels 24 metres or more in length
- including 4 hours while the vessel is underway and being actively navigated.
You may have already completed some TAGS books through previous training. For example TAGS Books 3 (EWR).
Your AMSA-approved training provider will confirm which TAGS books you still need to complete.
AMSA does not issue TAGs books
Your AMSA-approved training provider will issue, review and assess your TAGS books and issue you a TAGs completion certificate.
Include the TAGS completion certificate with your application. Do not submit your TAGS books.
Supporting documents
When you apply, you need:
- Proof of identity
- A passport-style photograph (if you live overseas)
- AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- A copy of your Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) or STCW certificate
- Copies of your course completion certificate(s) showing the relevant STCW course codes (not transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment)
- Copies of your TAGS completion certificate (do not submit your TAGS books)
- Sea service evidence using the STCW sea service template
Do not submit additional documents unless we ask for them.
Find out more about proof of identity and providing supporting documents.
How to apply
Before you apply
Check what it costs, how long it takes and what happens after you submit your application.
Read more about how to get a new STCW certificate
When you meet the requirements:
- Gather your supporting documents
- Complete Seafarer form 419, then download and print it
- Submit your application to AMSA
Upgrade to Integrated Rating II/5 and III/5
An IR II/5 and III/5 is for experienced integrated ratings.
You can upgrade to an Integrated Rating (II/5 and III/5) after:
- you have been issued your Integrated Rating II/4 and III/4 certificate
- you complete additional qualifying sea service while holding that certificate.
AMSA does not issue Integrated Rating II/5 and III/5 automatically
You must either apply to upgrade separately or be upgraded when you revalidate.
Apply to upgrade separately
What you need to do:
- hold a valid Integrated Rating II/4 and III/4 certificate
- complete at least 210 days (7 months) qualifying sea service while holding that certificate
- apply using Seafarer form 419
- pay the initial application fee.
Upgrade at revalidation
If you provide at least 210 days (7 months) of qualifying sea service when you apply to revalidate your Integrated Rating II/4 and III/4 certificate, AMSA will upgrade it to Integrated Rating II/5 and III/5.
The standard revalidation fee applies. You do not pay a separate upgrade fee.
Follow the step-by-step guide to revalidate your certificate.
Keep your certificate valid
You must revalidate this certificate every 5 years to continue working.
Find out how to revalidate your certificate.
You should apply to revalidate your STCW certificate in the 6 months before it expires
Add an endorsement
You may need additional endorsements depending on the vessel, cargo or duties you perform.
Endorsements available for this certificate include:
- Basic IGF code
- Passenger vessel
- High speed craft
- Fast rescue boats
- ECDIS trained
Learn more about STCW endorsements.
Competencies included with this certificate
Training completed for this certificate already meets the requirements for:
• Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (PSCRB)
You do not need to apply for this endorsement separately.
Career pathways
An Integrated Rating is part of the STCW ratings career pathway.
It can be either an entry-level certificate or build on watch rating competencies.
With an Integrated Rating you can:
- work towards a Chief Integrated Rating
- build sea service toward officer-level deck certificates.
Explore career pathways for ratings