Renew your domestic certificate of competency from overseas

You must hold a current:

• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certificate, or 
• first aid certificate accepted by AMSA as equivalent. 

You will need:

• a current first aid certificate, such as HLTAID011 Provide First Aid or an accepted equivalent
• a colour photograph showing your head and shoulders that meets our requirements

Apply through myAMSA

1. Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
2. Fill in the application form and answer the medical questions. Your answers will tell you if you need to complete an AMSA approved medical assessment. Save your application in myAMSA and return to it at any time. 
3. Upload copies of your documents.
4. Pay the required fee and submit your application online.

Apply online

If you are unable use myAMSA

• Complete Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). 
• Answer the medical questions on form 426. Your answers will tell you if you need to complete an AMSA approved medical assessment. 
• Sign and date the form. 
• Scan the form and all required documents.

• You will also need to include additional documents: 

  - a copy of your proof of identity

  - copies of the front and back of your certificate

• Email the application to nearcoastal.appplications@amsa.gov.au. 

Use the following subject for your email:

[Your name] – Renewal of [certificate type] from overseas

For example:

John Smith – Renewal of Master less than 100 metres from overseas

After we receive and review your application, we will contact you with instructions for paying the application fee through the AMSA payment portal. When payment has been received, your application can be assessed.  

You must complete a medical assessment and provide one of the following AMSA medical fitness forms:

• a current Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers, AMSA form 1850 
• a current Certificate of medical fitness, AMSA form 303.

A medical practitioner in Australia or overseas can complete form 1850. They must assess you against the Standards for the medical examination of domestic seafarers.

Find out how to complete the Certificate of medical fitness for near coastal seafarers (form 1850)

Qualifying sea service

You must have completed at least 120 days of qualifying sea service on commercial vessels in the 5 years before you apply.

Your sea service must include work relevant to your certificate:

• as officer of the watch, or
• undertaking engineering duties. 

Use at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:

• Record of sea service form 771 
• a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer 
• an approved sea service logbook 
• a declaration acceptable to AMSA.

If you do not have the required sea service

If you do not have 120 days of qualifying sea service in the previous 5 years, you may be able to use one of the following:

• at least 60 days of sea service in the last 6 months, performing duties relevant to your certificate
• seasonal fishing experience, if you worked in a seasonal fishery for at least 120 days in the 5 years before you apply
• approved maritime industry experience, such as working as a marine safety agency assessor, fleet manager, marine surveyor, maritime studies teacher or in shore-side vessel servicing
• an AMSA oral examination 
• a task book completed since obtaining or renewing your certificate.

Using a task book

You can get a task book from AMSA and from some registered training organisations. To order a task book from us, use the AMSA chargeable publications order form.

Learn about task books.

Oral exams

You can request an oral examination as part of your application.

Learn about completing an oral examination from overseas.

You must hold a current:

• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certificate, or 
• first aid certificate accepted by AMSA as equivalent. 

You will need:

• a signed and current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
• evidence of your sea service
• a current first aid certificate, such as HLTAID011 Provide First Aid or an accepted equivalent
• a colour photograph showing your head and shoulders that meets our requirements

Apply through myAMSA

1. Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
2. Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents. Save your application in myAMSA and return to it at any time. 
3. Pay the required fee and submit your application online.

Apply online

If you are unable use myAMSA

1. Complete Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). 
2. Sign and date the form. 
3. Scan the form and all required documents.

4. You will also need to include additional documents: 

   - a copy of your proof of identity

   - copies of the front and back of your certificate

5. Email the application to nearcoastal.appplications@amsa.gov.au. 

Use the following subject for your email:

[Your name] – Renewal of [certificate type] from overseas

For example:

John Smith – Renewal of Master less than 100 metres from overseas

After we receive and review your application, we will contact you with instructions for paying the application fee through the AMSA payment portal. When payment has been received, your application can be assessed.