At a glance
To get a certificate of equivalence, you need to:
- Have a confirmed job offer on an AISR-registered ship
- Hold an eligible STCW certificate
- Hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- Meet English language requirements
- Apply to AMSA
On this page:
- What is a certificate of equivalence?
- Who can apply
- How to get a certificate of equivalence
- How long it takes
- How much it costs
- Apply now
What is a certificate of equivalence?
A certificate of equivalence (CoE) allows a seafarer with overseas qualifications to work on a ship registered on the Australian International Shipping Register (AISR) without holding an AMSA-issued certificate of proficiency, certificate of competency or a certificate of recognition.
It is commonly used by international crew working temporarily on AISR vessels.
You can only use a CoE while working on AISR ships
If you are working on a regulated Australian vessel or foreign-flagged vessel in Australia that is not on the AISR, you may need either:
Who can apply
You can apply for a CoE if you:
- have a confirmed offer of employment on a ship on the AISR
- hold a valid STCW certificate issued by a country recognised by AMSA
- hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- can demonstrate satisfactory written and spoken English
- do not hold an AMSA-issued STCW certificate for the same role
- hold a passport with at least 6 months validity.
How to get a certificate of equivalence
Follow these steps to prepare and apply for a certificate of equivalence.
- (1) Check your certificate is eligible
Your overseas certificate must:
- be issued under STCW
- be current and not expired
- match the role you will perform on the AISR vessel
- be issued by a country recognised by AMSA.
- (2) Get an AMSA medical
Before you apply, you must hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303).
You must complete your medical examination in Australia with an AMSA approved medical practitioner.
We do not accept overseas or flag State medicals (such as ENG1 or OEUK/OGUK).
Find out how to get an Australian medical fitness certificate.
- (3) Meet English language requirements
You must demonstrate satisfactory written and spoken English.
You can do this by:
- holding an STCW certificate where examinations were conducted in English
- passing the Marlins test at an approved testing centre
- passing another English language test approved by AMSA.
You must also provide confirmation from your employer that your English is suitable for your shipboard duties.
- (4) Complete additional requirements (deck officers, masters, engineers only)
If you are a deck officer, engineer or master, you must meet additional requirements.
Pass the Australian maritime regulatory framework assessment
Deck and engineer officers must pass an assessment in the Australian maritime regulatory framework.
Hold or apply for a GMDSS radio operator certificate (masters and deck officers only)
Masters and deck officers must hold, or apply for, a GMDSS radio operator’s certificate or GMDSS certificate of recognition.
If you need to apply for your GMDSS certificate, you must complete AMSA Seafarer form 419 and attach it to your certificate of equivalence application.
- (5) Prepare your documents
When you apply for a CoE, you must provide:
Identity documents
- A copy of your current passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- 2 x passport-style photographs
Certificates
- Your overseas STCW certificate
- A copy of your valid GMDSS radio operator certificate (or GMDSS certificate of recognition) (deck officer only)
- AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
Other evidence
- Evidence of English language proficiency, including employer confirmation
- Evidence of your offer of employment on an AISR-registered ship
- Evidence that you have passed the Australian maritime regulatory framework assessment (if required)
Do not submit additional documents unless we ask for them.
Find out more about how to provide supporting documents.
- (6) Submit your application
To apply for a CoE, you must complete an Application for a Certificate of equivalence (326).
You must:
- sign the declaration and sample signature box
- scan your completed form and all supporting documents
- include 2 x passport-style colour photograph (JPG format)
- combine all documents into one file (maximum size: 10MB)
- email the complete application as one attachment to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au
We will email you payment instructions after we start checking your application, not when you apply.
How long it takes
We won't start assessing your application until it is complete. This means:
- the application has been filled out correctly
- we have received all required documents
- you have paid the application fee.
It will delay processing if anything is missing or incorrect in your application.
We also verify your overseas certificate with the issuing administration. This can affect processing times.
Allow 28 business days for us to assess your application
This period starts from the day we've received your complete application and payment.
This does not include postal delivery time.
Allow the full 28 business days before contacting us about your application.
We will notify you by email when your certificate has been approved and issued.
Your certificate will be sent by standard mail through Australia Post. Delivery times vary and tracking is not provided.
Courier delivery is available for overseas addresses only. Additional fees apply, check fees for STCW certificates and services.
In limited circumstances, we may issue an interim certificate of equivalence for up to 3 months.
We do not issue interim certificates if you are employed as:
- Master
- Chief engineer
- Chief officer
- First engineer
How much it costs
The fee to apply for a certificate of equivalence is:
- $190 (most certificates)
- $112 (Marine Cook or GMDSS radio operators)
Read more about STCW fees and charges.
Apply now
Complete AMSA Application for certificate of equivalence (326)