If you need to revalidate your current certificate, you can provide evidence of a medical completed in Australia, or in a country with an agreement with us.

You can organise a medical examination by contacting Sonic HealthPlus.

To book a medical examination, you can:

• Call toll free: 1300 763 822

Email: seafarermedicals@sonichealthplus.com.au

Obtain a Certificate of medical fitness from overseas

We will accept a Certificate of medical fitness completed in a country we have an agreement with for revalidation purposes.

You will need to print the relevant medical paperwork and make an appointment with a medical examiner. The medical examiner must be approved by the administration of the country which has an agreement with us.

Read more about medical fitness.

You will need to provide evidence that you have completed sea service performing functions for your current certificate for either:

• 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.

All submitted sea service must be documented qualifying sea service. Read more about sea service.

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, some 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).
• 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 Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats 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 courses in:

• Basic fire fighting
• Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.

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

You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for an Able seafarer—deck rating certificate of proficiency.

Lodge 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.

Lodge 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 must include payment with your application.