The five new certificates of competency

Guidance notices are available for the 5 new certificates of competency:

  • Coxswain Grade 3 Near Coastal (PDF 279.4 KB) — The Coxswain Grade 3 certificate provides basic seamanship knowledge and skills (low complexity duties). It allows the holder to operate small domestic commercial vessels <12m in smooth waters or close to shore. 
  • Master <45m Near Coastal (PDF 272.17 KB) (replaces Master <35m, which will be phased out) — The Master <45m certificate allows the holder to command a vessel <45m within the Australian EEZ, and command a vessel <100m inshore.
  • Master <100m Near Coastal (PDF 269.38 KB) (replaces Master <80m, which will be phased out) — The Master <100m certificate allows the holder to command a vessel <100m within the Australian EEZ.
  • Sailing Master Coastal (PDF 260.74 KB) — The Sailing Master Coastal certificate allows the holder to command and operate the engines of a sailing vessel <24m long in inshore waters.
  • Sailing Master Offshore (PDF 260.45 KB) — The Sailing Master Offshore certificate allows the holder to command and operate the engines of a sailing vessel <24m long within the Australian EEZ.

You may already be permitted to undertake the duties and functions of a Sailing Master if you hold the appropriate near coastal certificate of competency such as a Coxswain certificate of competency for the Sailing Master Coastal or a Master <24m and a MED 3 or higher combinations (of deck and engineering certificates of competency) for Sailing Master Offshore.  

Phased-out certificates of competency — what's changing

Master <35m Near Coastal

This certificate of competency is being phased out and replaced by the Master <45m certificate.

From 1 January 2023, you will automatically be able to do the job of a Master <45m. You don’t need to do anything until it comes time to renew your current Master <35m certificate of competency, at which point you will be issued with a certificate of competency for Master <45m.

 

Master <80m Near Coastal

This certificate of competency is being phased out and replaced by the Master <100m certificate.

From 1 January 2023, you will automatically be able to do the job of a Master <100m. You don’t need to do anything until it comes time to renew your current Master <80m certificate of competency, at which point you will be issued with a certificate of competency for Master <100m.

 

Mate <80m Near Coastal

Holders of this certificate of competency will be transitioning to a Master <24m Near Coastal. AMSA will be in touch with these certificate holders.

When a General Purpose Hand certificate is required — supervisory definitions

Supervisory definitions for General Purpose Hands have been clarified and operators should assess how these apply to their specific operation. 

People who have worked as a General Purpose Hand for at least 30 days in the 5 years prior to 1 January 2023 without a General Purpose Hand certificate of competency may need to obtain one, but only if they are undertaking deck or engine tasks and are not under direct supervision.

For more details, see: