Compare New Zealand and Australian STCW certificates

The New Zealand Deck watch rating (STCW II/4) certificate is equivalent to the Australian STCW seafarer navigational watch rating (STCW II/4).

We will issue you with a Navigational watch rating (STCW II/4) certificate of competency. You will not be able to work on tankers unless you add an endorsement to your certificate.

The New Zealand chief mate yachts (STCW II/2) certificate is limited to commercial yachts less than 3000 gross tonnage. 

This limitation means that this certificate is equivalent to the Australian STCW seafarer chief mate less than 3000 gross tonnage (yachts) (STCW II/1 and II/2).

When you apply for this equivalency, we will issue you with a Chief mate less than 3000 gross tonnage (yachts) (STCW II/1 and II/2) certificate of competency.

The New Zealand engine room watch rating (STCW III/4) certificate is equivalent to the same certificate in Australia. We will issue you with a Engine room watch rating (STCW III/4) certificate of competency.

You will not be able to work on tankers unless you add an endorsement to your certificate.

The New Zealand GMDSS radio operator (STCW IV/2) is equivalent to the same certificate in Australia. We will issue you with a GMDSS radio operator (STCW IV/2) certificate of competency.

Even with an equivalent radio operator certificate, you cannot serve on an Australian registered vessel unless you hold a Certificate of competency, Certificate of proficiency as rating or you have evidence of having completed STCW basic safety training.

The New Zealand integrated rating (STCW II/6 and III/6) certificate is equivalent to the Australian Integrated rating (STCW II/4 and III/4) certificate of competency.

The New Zealand master yacht (STCW II/2) is valid for service on superyachts only. New Zealand defines superyacht as a commercial yacht less than 3000 gross tonnage. The New Zealand master yacht (STCW II/2) certificate is equivalent to the Australian STCW seafarer master less than 3000 gross tonnage (yachts) (STCW II/1 and II/2) certificate of competency.

The New Zealand master less than 500 gross tonnage (STCW II/2) has no equivalent Australian seafarer certificate. Instead, you will be issued a letter of registration to recognise your capacities and limitations.

We do issue a Master less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency, but it comes with additional permitted duties and functions. To gain this qualification, you will need to complete additional training, and sea service.

If you are serving on an Australian vessel engaged on overseas voyages, you will be issued with a restricted certificate of recognition.

The New Zealand marine engineer class 2 on ships less than 3000 kilowatts (STCW III/3) is equivalent to the Australian STCW seafarer Engineer watchkeeper with endorsement second engineer less than 3000 kilowatts (STCW III/1 and III/3) certificate of competency.

In New Zealand, you must hold a Marine engineer class 3 (STCW III/1) certificate of competency before you can be issued a Marine engineer class 2 on ships less than 3000 kilowatts (STCW III/3).

The New Zealand marine engineer class 3 (STCW III/1) certificate is equivalent to the Australian STCW seafarer Engineer watchkeeper (STCW III/1) certificate of competency.

The New Zealand radio officer (STCW IV/2) certificate is equivalent to the Australian STCW seafarer GMDSS radio operator (STCW IV/2) certificate of competency.

Even with an equivalent radio operator certificate, you cannot serve on an Australian registered vessel unless you hold a Certificate of competency, Certificate of proficiency as rating or you have evidence of having completed STCW basic safety training.