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

Application to renew a certificate of operation (form 553)

Overview

You can use this form to renew a certificate of operation.

If you work on a domestic commercial vessel and need to renew your certificate of competency please go to our information about qualifications.

Eligibility criteria

Your certificate must be valid or have expired within the last 2 years.

The following changes are permitted as part of the renewal process: 

• removing a vessel from the certificate 
• lowering the operational area category of a vessel (for example, from C to D)
• removing a kind of operation (such as charter, research, dredging, towing). 

If you wish to make any other changes or the certificate has already expired for a period of more than 2 years, you will need to apply for a new certificate of operation AMSA 504.

How to complete this form

The easiest way to complete the form is online using the link below.

You can also print out the form to complete offline.

You will need to provide one of the following: 

• a copy of the certificate you are renewing
• the certificate number of the certificate you are renewing
• a copy of the renewal reminder letter sent from AMSA.

Trust arrangements

If you are making an application in the name of a trust, you must supply a copy of the trust deed in the supporting documents section of the application. We require the deed to confirm the full and correct name of the legal entity that is making the application. If a copy of the trust deed is not submitted at the time of making the application, it may result in delays processing your application.  

Submitting the form

You can submit the form online.

If submitting by mail, post it to us at:

Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Attention: Operations
GPO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

More information

• Check the fees you will need to pay.
• If the application is incomplete, it will cause processing delays and may not be progressed. Refer to our incomplete application policy for Domestic Commercial Vessel applications.
• See special arrangements in Exemption 7 and Exemption 8 for renewing certificates

Access the form