The Engineer class 3 near coastal certificate of competency will allow you to operate:
- As chief engineer on vessels with inboard engines with propulsion power up to 3000 kilowatts within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
- As chief engineer or second engineer on vessels with outboard engines with unlimited propulsion power within the EEZ.
- As an assistant under the general supervision of the chief engineer within the EEZ.
- In the engine room of a vessel up to 100 metres long with propulsion power up to 3000 kilowatts within the EEZ.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an Engineer class 3 near coastal certificate, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date.
- Be able to speak and understand English, including written documents.
- Hold a Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal, AMSA Engineer watchkeeper or workshop skill equivalent qualification.
- Be medically fit for the duties, including eyesight
- Gain any needed sea service
- Complete training
- Pass a final assessment.
For more information, select what you need to apply for below.
Syllabus
- Engineer class 3 near coastal syllabus AMSA 1112
- Engineer class 3 near coastal examiner checklist AMSA 1075
- Conduct of oral examinations AMSA 479
Trade qualification assessment
AMSA does not assess trade qualifications. If you hold a trade qualification not listed in Marine Order 505, you will need to get it assessed as equivalent to one that is listed. An RTO who delivers one of the qualifications or trades listed in Marine Order 505 can do this through recognition of prior learning (RPL). We will accept a letter of equivalence from this RTO once your trade has been assessed as equivalent.
Please note: An RTO may request you to do skills gap training.
Important disclaimer
These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022 .This document has full details of the eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
What do you need to apply for?
New certificate
What do I need to do?
To obtain this certificate, you will need to:
- Meet medical and eyesight requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers
The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea.
2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers
Provide a medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers and have them fill out the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
You will need to attach your completed medical form to your application.
- Provide evidence of sea service
The sea service you need depends on the certificate of competency or other qualification you currently hold.
All sea service must be done on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with at least 400 kilowatts propulsion power, and while working in an engineering capacity.
You can reduce the amount of sea service you need by completing an AMSA task book. If you have completed a task book, you must attach a copy of the seafarer details page to your application.
With a completed AMSA task book, you will need:
- 180 days of engineering sea service while holding a Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal
- 120 days of engineering sea service while holding a workshop skill equivalent qualification
Without an AMSA task book, you will need:
- 360 days of engineering sea service while holding a Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal
- 240 days of engineering sea service while holding a Workshop skill equivalent qualification
- 90 days of engineering sea service while holding an AMSA Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency.
You must submit a copy of your existing certificate of competency or workshop skill equivalent qualification as part of your application.
You need to submit at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book
Read more about qualifying sea service.
If you want a task book
You can get an Engineer Class 3 near coastal task book from us or from some registered training organisations. To order a task book directly from us, use the AMSA chargeable publications order form.
Read more about task books.
- Complete a training course
The training for an Engineer class 3 near coastal is the Diploma in Marine Engineering. Complete this course at a registered training organisation.
You will need to submit your course completion certificate with your application.
- Meet additional requirements
You must also hold a valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
If you do not hold this certificate contact your registered training organisation.
- Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
- Pass a final assessment
You need to pass a final assessment before getting your certificate of competency. Once we have assessed your application, you will be invited to contact AMSA Connect to book your final assessment. We will take payment of the examination fee and confirm your booking.
Refer to the syllabus document PDF604.4 KB and the examiner checklist to find out what may be included in your final assessment.
When you pass the final assessment, you will be given an interim certificate of competency so that you can start working immediately.
If you do not pass the final assessment, you will be able to try again. Your assessor will advise you when you can book your resit. You will have to pay the fee each time you sit for the final assessment.
Renewal of certificate
An Engineer Class 3 near coastal certificate of competency is generally valid for five years. To keep working using your certificate you need to renew it every five years.
What do I need to do?
To renew your certificate, you will need to:
- Meet medical and eyesight requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers
The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea.
2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers
Provide a medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers and have them fill out the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
You will need to attach your completed medical form to your application.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You need to show you have 120 days of sea service in the last five years performing engineering duties.
You need to submit at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book
Read more about qualifying sea service.
If you do not have the required sea service, you need to show you have of one of the following:
- completed an approved final assessment (you can request this option in your application)
- at least 60 days sea service in the last 6 months
- for a seasonal fisher, worked in a seasonal fishery for at least 120 days in the 5 years before your application
- other approved industry experience (for example, state or territory marine safety agency assessor, fleet manager, shore-side servicing, maritime studies teacher at a registered training organisation, marine surveyor)
- an Engineer class 3 near coastal task book completed since obtaining your Engineer class 3 near coastal certificate of competency.
If you want a task book
You can get an Engineer class 3 task book from us or from some registered training organisations. To order a task book directly from us, use the AMSA chargeable publications order form.
Read more about task books.
- Provide existing certificates
You must submit a copy of your:
- existing Engineer class 3
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
- Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
Endorsements and restrictions
You may apply for the following endorsements on your certificate:
- chief engineer on vessels with steam propulsion less than 750 kilowatts
Endorsement to work as chief engineer on vessels with steam propulsion less than 750 kilowatts, in the EEZ
To obtain this endorsement, you will need to:
- Meet medical requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers
The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea.
2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers
Provide a medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers and have them fill out the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
You will need to attach your completed medical form to your application.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You will need to show 100 hours of sea service:
- on vessels with steam propulsion power up to 750 kilowatts
- while performing duties as an assistant to an engineer or engine driver, or as a general purpose hand.
You will also need to complete an AMSA steam task book.
Attach a copy of the seafarer details page from your task book to your application.
You need to submit at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book
Read more about qualifying sea service.
To get a task book
To get a steam task book contact us.
- Meet additional requirements
You must also hold a:
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
- basic boiler licence or licence to operate a standard boiler issued by a state or territory authority responsible for work health and safety legislation.
- Provide existing certificates
Submit a copy of your existing Engineer class 3 near coastal certificate of competency.
- Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.
- Pass a final assessment
You need to pass a final assessment before getting your certificate of competency. Once we have assessed your application you will be invited to contact AMSA Connect to book your final assessment. We will take payment of the examination fee and confirm your booking.
Refer to the syllabus document and the examiner checklist to find out what may be included in your final assessment.
When you pass the final assessment, you will be given an interim certificate of competency so that you can start working immediately.
If you do not pass the final assessment, you will be able to try again. Your assessor will advise you when you can book your resit. You will have to pay the fee each time you sit for the final assessment.
Related information
If you would like to find out more about endorsements, refer to the National Regulator Endorsements Approval 2014.
Equivalent certificate
If you hold any of the following certificates, we welcome you to apply for a Engineer class 3 certificate of competency as an equivalent certificate (all endorsed for 750 kW steam):
- Engineer Watchkeeper endorsed Second Engineer <3000 kW (Motor)
- Engineer Watchkeeper endorsed Chief Engineer <3000 kW NC (Motor and steam)
- Engineer Class 2 (Motor)
- Engineer Class 2 (Motor and Steam)
- Engineer Class 1 (Motor)
- Engineer Class 1 (Motor and Steam)
What do I need to do?
To get an Engineer class 3 near coastal you will need to:
- Meet medical requirements
Download the:
1. Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate
The Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea.
2. Guidelines for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers
Provide the medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers.
Get a qualified medical practitioner to complete the Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate form 1850.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this in place of the Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate.
You must submit your completed form as part of your Certificate of competency application form 426.
- Provide existing certificates
As part of your application for an equivalent certificate you must submit a copy of your:
- existing certificate of competency
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
- Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application
To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426.
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.