Master (inland waters)

Download the:

1. Eyesight test certificate

The Eyesight test certificate form 542 lets us know that your eyesight meets the necessary standard for working at sea.

If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only.

2. Guidelines for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers

Provide the medical practitioner with the Guidelines for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers.

Get your eyesight tested by a qualified medical practitioner, and get the practitioner to complete the eyesight test certificate for you.

If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303), you can use this in place of the eyesight test certificate.

You must submit your completed form as part of your certificate of competency application.

Within the Certificate of competency application form 426 there is a declaration of medical fitness that you must complete. This lets us know that you are medically fit to work at sea.

You must have completed either:

• 60 days working in any deck capacity on commercial vessels greater than or equal to 7.5 metres long with a completed approved task book
• 120 days working in a deck, or deck and engineering capacity on commercial or recreational vessels greater than or equal to 7.5 metres long, without a task book.

You must complete at least half of the qualifying sea service required for the certificate in the five years before the application.

If you have completed a task book you must attach a copy of the seafarer details page 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
• an approved sea service log book
• 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.

Read more about qualifying sea service.

If you want a task book

You can get a Master inland waters 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 master inland waters course at a registered training organisation.

You will need to submit your course completion certificate or your interim certificate of competency with your Certificate of competency application.

You must also hold a valid HLTAID003 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.

If you do not hold this certificate contact your registered training organisation.

Before being issued your certificate of competency you are required to complete an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA) conducted by a registered training organisation approved by us as a final assessor. Refer to the syllabus document to find out what may be included in your final assessment.

On successful completion of the final assessment the registered training organisation may give you an interim certificate of competency that will allow you to start working immediately. To be eligible for the interim certificate of competency you must have completed your Certificate of competency application form 426 including signing the declaration.

You must submit the cover page of your completed AMPA as part of your Certificate of competency application.

You can complete a Certificate of competency application form 426 online or download a pdf version and then complete it.

You need to complete all sections of the form. You must:

• respond yes or no to all questions and statements in the application form
• complete all boxes (if the information requested is unknown or not applicable insert N/A)
• download and print the form
• attach copies of all required documents
• sign the declaration
• submit your application and pay a fee at an AMSA-contracted Australia post outlet
• provide proof of identity when you lodge your application.

Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.

Within the Certificate of competency application form 426 there is a declaration of medical fitness that you must complete. This lets us know that you are medically fit, and that your eyesight meets the necessary standard, to work at sea.

If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only.

There is no sea service requirement to revalidate a Master (inland waters) certificate of competency.

You must submit a copy of your:

• existing certificate of competency
• valid HLTAID003 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.

You can complete a Certificate of competency application form 426 online or download a pdf version and then complete it.

You need to complete all sections of the form. You must:

• respond yes or no to all questions and statements in the application form
• complete all boxes (if the information requested is unknown or not applicable insert N/A)
• download and print the form
• attach copies of all required documents
• sign the declaration
• submit your application and pay a fee at an AMSA-contracted Australia post outlet
• provide proof of identity when you lodge your application.

Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.

Within the Certificate of competency application form 426 there is a declaration of medical fitness that you must complete. This lets us know that you are medically fit, and that your eyesight meets the necessary standard, to work at sea.

If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only.

Provide existing certificate

As part of your application for an equivalent certificate you must submit a copy of your:

• existing certificate of competency
• valid HLTAID003 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.

You can complete a Certificate of competency application form 426 online or download a pdf version and then complete it.

You need to complete all sections of the form. You must:

• respond yes or no to all questions and statements in the application form
• complete all boxes (if the information requested is unknown or not applicable insert N/A)
• download and print the form
• attach copies of all required documents
• sign the declaration
• submit your application and pay a fee at an AMSA-contracted Australia post outlet
• provide proof of identity when you lodge your application.

Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.