What do I need to do?

To obtain this certificate, you need to:

Provide proof of medical fitness

Prior to the initial issue of a certificate of competency and certificate of recognition you must obtain a Certificate of medical fitness in Australia. As per Marine Order 76 (Health—medical fitness) 2017 you can only perform the duties of a seafarer on a relevant vessel if you are medically fit to perform those duties.

The medical examination can be organised by contacting Sonic HealthPlus. We strongly recommend that you complete the medical examination before you commence training to ensure that you are medically fit for a seagoing career.

To book a medical examination, you can:

• Call toll free: 1300 763 822
• Email: seafarermedicals@sonichealthplus.com.au

Read more about medical fitness.

Complete training courses

You will need to complete these courses:

• Master less than 500 gross tonnage, including modules in command navigation, shipmasters business and management and vessel operations and administration.
• Basic safety training, including security awareness training.
• Advanced fire fighting.
• Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
• Medical care on board ships.

These courses must be completed with an approved training organisation.

All of the certificates and training you complete and provide evidence of must comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Provide evidence of sea service

You will need to provide evidence that you have completed one of the following options:

Option 1

You will need to hold or have held any of the following certificates:

• an unrestricted Master less than 35 metres NC or Master less than 45 metres NC certificate of competency
• A Mate less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency
• A Master less than 24 metres FG certificate of competency
• Any other certificate we consider equivalent to the above.

You will then need to complete 36 months sea service as an officer in charge of a navigation watch. This service must have been completed on ships greater than or equal to 24 metres. You must have completed this service while holding either one of the above certificates, or one of the following certificates:

• unrestricted Master less than 24 metres NC certificate of competency
• Watchkeeper deck less than 500 gross tonnage (or AMSA equivalent).

Of this 36 months sea service, 24 months must have been completed on voyages of at least 24 hour duration

Of this 36 months sea service, 12 months must have been completed while holding one of the following certificates:

• unrestricted Master less than 35 metres NC or Master less than 45 metres NC certificate of competency
• Mate less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency
• Any other certificate AMSA considers equivalent to that certificate.

Option 2

You must have completed at least 24 months sea service as an officer in charge of a navigation watch on ships greater than or equal to 24 metres.

Of this 24 months, at least 12 months must have been served as Chief mate or Master while holding one of the following certificates:

• Mate less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency (with Chief mate less than 3000 gross tonnage near coastal endorsement)
• Chief mate less than 3000 gross tonnage
• Master less than 500 gross tonnage or Chief mate
• a foreign certificate we consider equivalent.

Read more about sea service.

How to apply for sea service assessment

You will need to complete this sea service and then submit a Seafarer form 419 to us so we can assess your sea service and issue you with an AMSA assessment letter. This letter is the evidence you need to prove that you have met the sea service requirements for your qualification. This letter will also instruct you to complete your oral examination.

Pass an oral examination

As per your assessment letter, you will need to book and successfully pass an oral examination. Read more about booking an oral examination.

Provide existing certificates

You must provide evidence that you hold, or have held, one of these certificates:

• An unrestricted Master less than 35 metres NC certificate of competency
• A Master less than 45 metres NC certificate of competency
• A Master less than 24 metres FG certificate of competency
• A Mate less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency
• Any other certificate AMSA considers equivalent to Master less than 45 metres NC or Mate less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency.

Additional requirements

You will need to hold one of the following valid certificates:

• GMDSS radio operators certificate
• GMDSS certificate of recognition

If you are serving on an ECDIS equipped ship, you will also need to hold an ECDIS endorsement.

How to apply

You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for a Master less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency.

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 certified copies of 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.