Exemption 23 - Marine Safety (Masters or crew without certificates)

This exemption allows people who were working on a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) under state or Northern Territory law on 30 June 2013, to continue working without the required certificate.

On this page:

 

Download EX23 - Masters or crew without certificates PDF104.12 KB

In force 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030.

Latest changes

An updated version of exemption 23 came into effect on 1 July 2025.  

We reissued the previous version with no policy changes.  

You do not need to apply to use this exemption.  

What this exemption allows you to do

Exemption 23 allows you to continue performing specific duties or functions on DCVs without holding the certificate of competency that’s usually required.  

It only applies to the duties or functions you were performing on 30 June 2013.  

If you’re eligible, you still have to comply with all other aspects of the national law.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for Exemption 23, you must have:

  • notified AMSA prior to 1 January 2018 of your intention to operate under this exemption
  • previously been allowed to perform duties on a DCV without certification because either:
    • those duties did not require certification on or before 30 June 2013, or
    • you had an exemption from the requirement to be certified to perform those duties.

How to apply

You do not need to apply to us for this exemption.  

You must already have notified us, prior to 1 January 2018, of your intention to operate under this exemption.

You will need to keep the acknowledgment email on board and ready to present to authorities if required.

Related legislation

Superseded

Refer to superseded, repealed and expired marine safety exemptions for previous versions of this exemption.

Author

Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Last updated: 8 July 2025