At a glance
To revalidate a certificate of recognition, you need to:
- Revalidate your overseas (primary) STCW certificate
- Hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- Meet Australian continued competence training and sea service requirements
- Apply to AMSA
On this page:
When to revalidate
Your certificate or recognition expires on the earliest of:
- the expiry date of your overseas (primary) certificate
- the expiry date of your Australian visa
- 5 years from the date of issue.
You should apply to revalidate:
- before your certificate of recognition expires
- after your overseas (primary) STCW certificate has been revalidated.
You cannot work in an STCW role on a regulated Australian vessel using an expired certificate of recognition.
How to revalidate a CoR
To revalidate a CoR you need to:
- revalidate your overseas (primary) certificate
- provide evidence of your training and sea service (if applicable)
- apply to AMSA.
Even if your overseas (primary) certificate has been revalidated, you may still need to meet additional Australian requirements.
- (1) Revalidate your overseas (primary) certificate
Before you apply to revalidate your CoR with AMSA, you must revalidate your overseas STCW certificate with the issuing administration (your flag State).
We can only revalidate your certificate of recognition after your primary certificate has been revalidated.
AMSA cannot assist with the revalidation of your overseas certificate
You must contact the issuing administration directly and follow their process.
- (2) Check your medical is valid
You must hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303).
If your medical has expired, you must complete a new medical assessment before you apply to revalidate.
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) Check you meet Australian sea service and training requirements
Revalidating your overseas certificate does not automatically mean your training and sea service meet Australian requirements.
You must meet Australian revalidation requirements for continued competence training and sea service.
The requirements depend on the certificate and may be different to those applied by the issuing country.
Before you apply, check:
- how much qualifying sea service you need to revalidate
- which refresher or continued competence training is required.
You must have evidence of your training and sea service.
- (4) Prepare your documents
When you apply to revalidate, you must provide.
Identity documents
- Proof of identity
- Proof you are allowed to work in Australia
- A passport-style photograph (if you live overseas)
Certificates
- Your revalidated overseas STCW certificate
- A copy of your revalidated GMDSS certificate (deck officers only)
- AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- Copies of your course completion certificate(s) with STCW course codes (not transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment)
Sea service evidence
- Sea service letter using the sea service letter for international seafarer’s template (if applicable)
Do not submit additional documents unless we ask for them.
Find out more about how to provide supporting documents.
- (5) Submit your application
To revalidate your STCW CoR, you must complete [link to: AMSA Seafarer form 419].
You will need your:
- seafarer ID
- current certificate number and expiry date.
If you live in Australia
You must:
- lodge your application in person at a participating Australia Post outlet
- bring your original proof of identity
- have your photograph taken at Australia Post
- pay the application fee
If you live overseas
You must:
- complete AMSA Seafarer form 419
- sign the declaration and sample signature box
- scan your completed form and all supporting documents
- include a 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 details 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 will contact you if we need more information.
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 also verify your overseas certificate with the issuing administration. This can affect processing times.
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.
How much it costs
The fee to revalidate a certificate of recognition is:
- $136 (most certificates)
- $112 (GMDSS radio operators)
Read more about STCW fees and charges.
Revalidate now
Complete Seafarer form 419.