Use this form for international marine qualifications. For domestic or near coastal qualification applications, use form 426 [1].
Read the following detailed information before you fill out the form.
This information is for all Australian resident and non-resident seafarers who are able to lodge their applications via Australia Post.
This information is also for seafarers applying from outside of Australia. For these applicants, there is extra information available at some steps.
You need to download a new form from our website each time you apply for a new seafarer certificate. This will ensure you are using the current version of the form that supports the regulations within Marine order 70 seafarer certificate series [2].
Once we have received your application we will make sure everything is completed correctly. If everything is correct we will issue your certificate within approximately 28 days
You should lodge your application in person at a participating Australia Post retail outlet [3].
Take your application form as well as:
Your passport-quality colour photo will be taken by Australia Post.
You need to fill out the AMSA form 419 then print and sign it. You can send your application to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au [4].
The email needs to contain a scanned copy of your completed and signed application form, scans of certified copies of your supporting documents, and a colour JPG photograph. We will reject any application where we cannot read the scanned supporting documents.
The fee for your application is calculated as you complete the form. Please go to the payment section of the form for the exact fee amount that must be paid.
Once we have your application form we will email you to ask you to pay. You will need to call us and pay using a credit card that has been pre-authorised for use overseas. You cannot pay using a debit card.
Payment at Australia Post may be made by:
When you fill in your application form, the system will provide a checklist of supporting documents for you to print. This list will be specific to the application you have selected.
Before you lodge your application, make sure you have done everything that is on your checklist.
We will not accept incomplete applications. Read our incomplete application policy [5].
When you lodge your application you must include all of the supporting documents that are listed on the checklist.
Australia Post will not accept applications without supporting documentation.
Do not send us original documents. You should only provide copies of sea service letters and supporting documentation. If you send us original documents we may not be able to return them.
You will need to give us proof of identity documents. The documents we need will depend on whether you are applying within Australia or from overseas.
Find out more about proof of identity options [6].
You must attach one colour passport photograph of yourself, taken within the last 3 months, to the email. The photograph must be a JPG file no larger than 100 kB. Do not use Photoshop on this photograph or we may reject your application.
The photograph must comply with all of the following requirements. If it does not, your application will be returned to you unprocessed.
The photograph must:
Your photograph will be taken at no additional cost to you when you lodge your application at Australia Post.
There are two sections on the application form that need your signature and you must sign in both of them:
Your specimen signature will be digitally imaged into your certificate. Your signature must fit within the box.
There are two specimen signature boxes on the form. If your signature falls outside both specimen signature boxes, you will need to lodge another fully completed application form. This will delay the processing of your certificate application.
Practice signature box for your specimen signature:
The arrangements for giving us medical certificates are different depending on whether you are applying from within Australia or from overseas.
Read more about how to obtain a medical certificate [7].
Do not send x-rays or other medical documents with your application as we don't need these.
Documented sea service will be assessed for competency certificates (deck officers and engineer officers) and certificate of proficiency (ratings).
For deck officers, engineer officers, and ratings we need to see copies from the shipping company, written on company letterhead paper verifying your sea service.
For more information have a look at a template and details about what each letter must include [8].
Refer to the current issue of Marine order 70 series (70, 71, 72, 73 and 74) [2].
Follow the steps below for sea service assessment to obtain a certificate of competency, certificate of recognition or restricted certificate of recognition.
To apply for a Master, deck or engineer officer certificate of competency, certificate of recognition or restricted certificate of recognition you will need to make two AMSA 419 applications at different stages of the process:
Links
[1] https://www.amsa.gov.au/forms/certificate-competency-application
[2] https://www.amsa.gov.au/about/regulations-and-standards#collapseArea223
[3] https://www.amsa.gov.au/about/who-we-are/australia-post-retail-outlets
[4] mailto:STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au
[5] https://www.amsa.gov.au/about/fees-levies-and-payments/incomplete-application-policy-international-and-near-coastal-seafarer
[6] https://www.amsa.gov.au/qualifications-training/sea-service-and-task-books/proof-identity
[7] https://www.amsa.gov.au/qualifications-training/international-qualifications/medical-fitness-international-certificates
[8] https://www.amsa.gov.au/qualifications-training/sea-service-and-task-books/sea-service-letter-international-seafarers
[9] https://forms.amsa.gov.au/html/Form/419