What do I need to do?

To obtain this certificate, you need to:

Hold a foreign GDMSS certificate

You must hold a GMDSS certificate issued by a country with which Australia holds an agreement. Read about country eligibility for Certificates of recognition.

Prove your citizenship

Provide formal evidence of one of the following:

• your status as an Australian citizen
• your status as a permanent resident of Australia
• current visa permitting you to work in Australia.

How to apply

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

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 including a colour passport-style photograph and send the paperwork to us by email to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au When we receive your email we will let you know how to pay the fee for your application via AMSA online portal.

We will complete an authenticity check with your issuing administration to determine the validity of the foreign certificate you have submitted with your application.