Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)



Marine cook

This certificate enables you to work as a marine cook on ships of any size in any operating area.

Eligibility

To get a Marine cook certificate of proficiency you must meet medical, sea service and course requirements. The requirements depend on whether you are getting a certificate for the first time or revalidating an existing certificate. Each requirement and how to prove that you meet them is explained in these instructions.

This certificate is issued under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 and Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023, made under the Navigation Act 2012.

Important disclaimer

These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Master and deck officers) 2023, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014, Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014 and Marine Order 74 (Master and deck officers – yachts) 2015. Please refer to these marine orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.

What type of qualification do you need?

Replace a lost or damaged certificate

Get an endorsement for your certificate

New certificate

What do I need to do?

To get 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:

Read more about medical fitness.

Complete training courses

You will need to complete these courses:

  • Training course in cooking
  • Basic safety training which includes security awareness training.

All applications for a Marine cook certificate of proficiency as must include a course completion certificate plus a Statement of attainment.

These courses must be completed with an approved training organisation.

All 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 proof of qualifications

You will need to hold one of the following approved courses in cooking:

  • MAR30320 Certificate III in Maritime operations (Marine cookery)
  • SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial cookery
  • Training considered equivalent by us upon application.
Additional requirements

You will need to hold a valid Certificate of safety training.

How to apply

You will need to lodge a formal application using Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for a Marine cook certificate of proficiency.

Lodge from within Australia

You will need to fill out 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 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.

Revalidate certificate

What do I need to do?

To revalidate your certificate, you need to:

Provide proof of medical fitness

You will need to provide evidence that you are medically fit to perform duties in the capacity of a Marine Cook. 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 revalidate your current certificate you will need an AMSA medical completed on form 303. If this form is completed outside Australia, it must be completed in a country that holds an agreement with us.

In Australia you can organise a medical examination by contacting Sonic HealthPlus. To book a medical examination, you can:

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 (Medical examination report form 232 and Certificate of medical fitness from 303) 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.

Provide evidence of sea service

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

  • at least three months sea service performing cooking duties in the last five years

or

  • performed cooking duties or functions at least equivalent to the sea service for at least three months in the previous five years.

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

Hold valid certification

You will need to hold the following valid certificates:

Certificate of Safety Training endorsed with Security Awareness Training

Please note that Security Awareness Training only needs to be completed once in a seafarer’s career and does not need to be repeated.

How do I apply?

You will need to lodge a formal application using Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for a Marine cook certificate of proficiency.

Lodge from within Australia

You will need to fill out 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 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.