A Master less than 45 metres near coastal can 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
- a General Purpose Hand
When you're ready to apply:
What do you need to apply for?
New certificate
To obtain this certificate you will need to:
- Check your eligibility
To be eligible for this certificate you must be:
- at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
- able to speak, read and understand English
- medically fit for the duties required.
You must also have completed sea service while holding either:
- a Master less than 24 metres
- a Mate less than 80 metres (phased out 1 January 2023)
- Complete medical and eyesight test
You will need to see a medical practitioner to check that you are medically fit for working at sea. They will assess you in line with AMSA’s medical requirements.
Download the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers (AMSA form 1850) and follow the instructions on the form.
If you have a current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 303) you can use this instead.
If you have colour deficient vision, you will be restricted to working only in daylight hours.
- Provide evidence of sea service
Type of sea service required
You need to show you have experience working at sea:
- in charge of the navigational watch
- on commercial vessels at least 12 metres long
- while holding a Master less than 24 metres or Mate less than 80 metres
Amount of sea service required
You can reduce the amount of sea service you need by completing an AMSA task book.
With an AMSA task book Without an AMSA task book 180 days including 120 days in charge of the navigational watch 360 days including 240 days in charge of the navigational watch Recording your sea service
Use 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.
- Complete a training course
Complete a Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 metres Near Coastal) at a registered training organisation (RTO).
Submit your course completion certificate with your application.
- Obtain first aid and marine radio certificates
You must also hold both:
- a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
- a marine radio 'Long range operator certificate of proficiency' (LROCP) card or higher.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- a signed and current certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
- evidence of your sea service
- your Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45 metres Near Coastal) course completion certificate
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- a marine radio 'Long range operator certificate of proficiency' (LROCP)
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
- Pass a final assessment
You need to pass a final oral exam before we will issue your certificate of competency. An AMSA examiner will ask you to answer questions verbally to test your skills and knowledge.
Booking your exam
When we've assessed your application we will invite you to book the exam (if you haven't already passed an AMSA exam at your training organisation).
You will need to:
- confirm your booking
- pay an exam fee.
If you don't pass, you can try again. You must pay the fee each time you sit the exam.
Prepare for your oral exam.
Renewal
A Master less than 45 metres certificate is valid for 5 years. To keep working, you need to apply to renew your certificate before it expires.
To renew your certificate you need to:
- Complete medical and eyesight test
You will need to see a medical practitioner to check that you are medically fit for working at sea. They will assess you in line with AMSA’s medical requirements.
Download the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers (AMSA form 1850) and follow the instructions on the form.
If you have a current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 303) you can use this instead.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You must show that you have 120 days of sea service as officer of the watch in the last 5 years.
Recording your sea service
Use 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.
If you don't have the required sea service
You must provide evidence that you have (any one of the following):
- completed an approved final assessment
- at least 60 days of sea service in the last 6 months
- worked in a seasonal fishery for at least 120 days in the last 5 years
- 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)
- completed a Master less than 45 metres task book in the 5 years before your application.
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- your existing Master less than 45 metres (if you are applying online, there will be a copy in your myAMSA account)
- a signed and current certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
- evidence of your sea service
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
Equivalence
If you hold any of the following AMSA certificates, you can work as a Master less than 45 metres near coastal:
- Mate <500 GT
- Mate <500 GT with Chief Mate <3000 GT NC endorsement.
You do not need to hold a Master less than 45 metres near coastal to work while holding these certificates, but you can choose to apply for one as equivalent.
If you hold a perpetual certificate of competency or a domestic certificate of competency that expired more than 5 years ago, you can also apply for an equivalent domestic certificate.
To get a Master less than 45 metres near coastal:
- Complete medical and eyesight test
You will need to see a medical practitioner to check that you are medically fit for working at sea. They will assess you in line with AMSA’s medical requirements.
Download the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers (AMSA form 1850) and follow the instructions on the form.
If you have a current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 303) you can use this instead.
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- a signed and current certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- your existing certificate
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
After submitting your application
We will confirm receipt of your application, and you can check your application's progress in myAMSA.
We will also contact you if:
- your application is incomplete
- the documents you provided are not suitable
- we need more information to make our assessment.
See our incomplete application policy.
The regulations
Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022 provides for certificates of competency and sets out the standards for the qualifications of the crew and masters on domestic commercial vessels.