A General Purpose Hand (GPH) certificate lets you assist with deck and engine work under general supervision by:
- the master
- the chief engineer
- an appropriately certificated crew member (when delegated).
General supervision means that the person being supervised receives instruction and direction on tasks, and is repeatedly in contact with the supervisor.
- Deck and engine work for a GPH
Deck work includes operation or lookout tasks for:
- navigation
- mooring
- anchoring
- cargo.
Engine work includes tasks related to main or auxiliary machinery used for:
- propulsion
- mooring
- anchoring
- cargo.
You do not need a GPH if you either:
- don’t undertake deck or engine tasks on a domestic commercial vessel (including fishing vessels)
- undertake these tasks while directly supervised by suitably qualified crew member. Being directly supervised means you are frequently within the supervisor’s sight and hearing.
When you're ready to apply:
What do you need to apply for?
New certificate
To obtain this certificate you will need to:
- Check your eligibility
To be eligible for this certificate you must be:
- at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
- able to speak, read and understand English
- medically fit for the duties required.
- Complete medical and eyesight test
You will need to see a medical practitioner to check that you are medically fit for working at sea. They will assess you in line with AMSA’s medical requirements.
Download the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers (AMSA form 1850) and follow the instructions on the form.
If you have a current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 303) you can use this instead.
If you have colour deficient vision, you will be restricted from performing lookout duties at night unless under direct supervision.
- Provide evidence of sea service
Type of sea service required
You need to show you have experience working at sea on commercial vessels.
Amount of sea service required
5 days of sea service on commercial vessels of any size.
Recording your sea service
Use at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book
- Complete a training course
Complete a Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal) at a registered training organisation (RTO).
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Optional - final assessment
You do not need to complete an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA) to get a General Purpose Hand.
Why might you choose to do the GPH AMPA?
You only need to complete the AMPA for each unit of competency once. This means you won’t need to do the AMPA for those units again for another certificate of competency. Read more about the AMPA.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- a signed and current certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
- evidence of your sea service
- your Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal) course completion certificate
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
- Apply for an interim certificate
After applying for your certificate, you can apply for an interim certificate of competency from your RTO.
This will allow you to start working immediately (for up to 60 days while we assess your application).
The decision to issue an interim certificate is at the discretion of the RTO.
Renewal
A General Purpose Hand certificate is valid for 5 years. To keep working, you need to apply to renew your certificate before it expires.
To renew your certificate you need to:
- Declare your medical fitness
As part of the renewal application process, we will ask you to declare that you are medically fit to work at sea. This includes declaring any changes to your eyesight.
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- your existing General Purpose Hand (if you are applying online, there will be a copy in your myAMSA account)
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
Equivalent certificate
If you hold any of the following AMSA certificates, you can work as a General Purpose Hand near coastal:
- Navigational Watch Rating
- Engine Room Watch Rating
- Able Seafarer – Deck
- Able Seafarer – Engine
- Integrated Rating
- Chief Integrated Rating
You do not need to hold a General Purpose Hand near coastal to work while holding this certificate, but you can choose to apply for one as equivalent.
To get a General Purpose Hand near coastal:
- Complete medical and eyesight test
You will need to see a medical practitioner to check that you are medically fit for working at sea. They will assess you in line with AMSA’s medical requirements.
Download the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers (AMSA form 1850) and follow the instructions on the form.
If you have a current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 303) you can use this instead.
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- a signed and current certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- your existing certificate
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
After submitting your application
We will confirm receipt of your application, and you can check your application's progress in myAMSA.
We will also contact you if:
- your application is incomplete
- the documents you provided are not suitable
- we need more information to make our assessment.
See our incomplete application policy.
The regulations
Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022 provides for certificates of competency and sets out the standards for the qualifications of the crew and masters on domestic commercial vessels.