Certificate of recognition

Provide formal evidence of one of the following:

• your status as an Australian citizen
• your status as a permanent resident of Australia
• current visa permitting you to work in Australia.

Provide a certified, true copy of your valid passport.

If you need to apply for Australian citizenship, or a skilled worker visa, you can read more about immigration applications [7].

Provide a copy of your primary certificate, and evidence that you have completed the following courses:

• Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (if required)
• Advanced fire fighting (if required)
• Security awareness
• STCW basic safety courses
  • personal survival techniques
  • fire prevention and fire fighting
  • elementary first aid
  • personal safety and social responsibilities.

Check that you have proof of specified qualifying sea service for the qualification you want to obtain. Read more about sea service [8].

Prior to the issue of a Certificate of recognition you must hold a valid Certificate of medical fitness [9]. As per Marine Order 76 (Health—medical fitness) 2017 [10] you can only perform the duties of a seafarer on a relevant vessel if you are medically fit to perform those duties.

For issue of a Certificate of recognition you are required to obtain a Certificate of medical fitness in Australia. The medical examination can be organised by contacting Sonic HealthPlus [11]. 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:

• Call toll free: 1300 763 822
• Email: seafarermedicals@sonichealthplus.com.au [12]

Read more about medical fitness [13].

You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419 [14].

Lodge from within Australia

You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet [15].

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 the Seafarer form 419 [14], attach all required supporting documents and send the paperwork to us at our postal or courier address:

• Postal address—Australian Maritime Safety Authority Seafarer Certification Service, Operations GPO Box 2181 Canberra City ACT 2601 Australia
• Courier address—Australian Maritime Safety Authority Seafarer Certification Service, Operations 82 Northbourne Avenue Braddon ACT 2612 Australia

You must include payment with your application.

We will complete an authenticity check with your issuing administration to determine the validity of the foreign certificate you have submitted with your application.