This certificate will allow you to work as:
- Master on commercial vessels up to 45 metres long within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
- Master on vessels up to 100 metres long in inshore waters.
- Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 100 metres long within the EEZ.
- Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Master less than 45 metres 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 either a Master less than 24 metres near coastal or Mate less than 80 metres near coastal certificate of competency, or a certificate AMSA considers equivalent.
- 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
- Master less than 35/45 metres near coastal syllabus AMSA 1109
- Oral exam syllabus
- Conduct of oral examinations AMSA 479
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.
If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only.
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 complete 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 must submit your completed medical form with your application.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You need to show you have experience working on commercial vessels at least 12 metres long, while holding a Master less than 24 metres near coastal, Mate less than 80 metres near coastal, or a certificate AMSA considers equivalent.
You can reduce the amount of sea service you need by completing an AMSA task book.
With a completed AMSA task book you will need:
- 180 days
- including 120 days in charge of a navigational watch
Without an AMSA task book you will need:
- 360 days
- including 240 days in charge of a navigational watch
If you have completed a task book, you must attach a copy of the seafarer details page to your application.
You must submit a copy of your existing certificate with 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 a Master <45m 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.
Transitional arrangement: If you have a Master <35m task book, with a version number 2.0 January 2017 or later, you can use this to apply for your Master less than 45 metre certificate.
Read more about task books.
- Complete a training course
The training for a Master less than 45 metres is the Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master less than 35m).
Complete this course at a registered training organisation.
You will need to submit your course completion certificate with your Certificate of competency application.
- Meet additional requirements
You must also hold a:
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent
- Long range operator certificate of proficiency issued by ACMA, or equivalent.
If you do not hold these certificates, 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 PDF532.13 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
A Master less than 45 metres near coastal certificate of competency is generally valid for five years. To keep working using your certificate you need to revalidate 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.
If your existing Master less than 45 metres certificate has a daylight hours restriction, this restriction will also be on your renewed certificate.
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 complete 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.
Submit your completed forms as part of your application.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You need to show you have 120 days at sea, as officer of the watch, in the last 5 years.
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 task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- a declaration acceptable to AMSA.
If you do not have the required sea service you must provide evidence 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, you must have worked in a seasonal fishery for at least 120 days in the 5 years before the application
- other approved industry experience (e.g. state or territory marine safety agency assessor, fleet manager, shore-side servicing, maritime studies teacher at a registered training organisation, marine surveyor)
- a Master <45m task book completed since obtaining your Master less than 45 metres near coastal.
If you want a task book
You can get a Master <45m 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 Master less than 45 metres
- 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
There are no endorsements for this certificate
Remove a daylight hours restriction on your certificate
If you have this restriction on your certificate, you may apply to have the restriction removed.
What do I need to do?
To remove this restriction, you will need to:
- 1. 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 and includes the eyesight requirements to let us know you are not colour blind.
If you are colour blind, we will not be able to remove your daylight hours restriction.
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 complete the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850.
If you do not meet the colour vision requirements of the eyesight test on the 1850, you must also get the practitioner to provide a certificate or statement stating that you do not suffer any greater abnormality in colour vision than could be tested by the Ishihara Test.
If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
Submit your completed form with your application.
- 2. Provide existing certificates
You must submit a copy of your:
- existing Master less than 45 metres near coastal
- valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.
- 3. 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.
Equivalent certificate
If you hold any of the following certificates, we welcome you to apply for a Master less than 45 metres near coastal certificate.
- Mate <500 GT
- Mate <500 GT with Chief Mate <3000 GT NC endorsement
If your existing certificate is restricted to operating within daylight hours only, your Master less than 45 metres certificate of competency will be subject to the same restriction.
What do I need to do?
To get a Master less than 45 metres near coastal 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 proves that you are medically fit for working at sea.
If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only.
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.
Submit your completed forms as part of your application
- Provide existing certificate
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.