Get a medical fitness certificate for STCW seafarers

On this page: 

• Do you need an AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)?
• How to book your examination
• Find an approved medical inspector
• Attend your examination
• Get your certificate
• Using your medical fitness certificate
• Renew your certificate
• Ready to book?

Do you need an AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)?

All seafarers working on regulated Australian vessels (including Australian-registered commercial vessels operating internationally) must hold an AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303).

This is a requirement under Marine Order 76 (Health – medical fitness).

You must hold a current medical fitness certificate when you:

• apply for an STCW certificate
• revalidate an STCW certificate
• apply for or revalidate an STCW certificate of recognition
• apply for a certificate of equivalence.

You do not need a medical fitness certificate to apply for or revalidate a Certificate of Safety Training (CoST).

How to book your examination

Follow these steps to get a medical fitness certificate.

You must complete your medical examination in Australia with an AMSA approved medical inspector if you are applying for initial issue of an STCW certificate.

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(1) Find an approved medical inspector

Only AMSA approved medical inspectors can issue this certificate.

Medical inspectors often work with providers (clinics) that manage bookings and fees.

• Choose an AMSA approved medical inspector
• Confirm fees and appointment availability when booking

Appointment wait times
Wait times vary by location and provider. In busy periods, you may need to book your appointment several weeks in advance. 
If you are revalidating your STCW certificate, book early to avoid delays.

You pay the medical provider directly for your medical fitness certificate.

Costs vary between providers and locations. Contact the medical provider directly to confirm fees.

AMSA does not set medical fees, take bookings, or collect payment for medical examinations.

Find an AMSA approved medical inspector

(2) Attend your examination

Attend your appointment at the time and place of your booking.

What to bring

• Photo ID
• Glasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids you normally use
• A list of your medications
• Relevant specialist reports
• Your previous AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303) (if you have one)

What the medical inspector will check

The medical inspector will assess things like your:

• height and weight
• eyesight, hearing, speech, and balance
• cardiovascular and respiratory health
• mouth and teeth
• your gastrointestinal, neurological, mental, and musculoskeletal health
• skin and lymph nodes
• medical history and current conditions.

You are assessed against the medical standards relevant to your role on board the vessel.

You can find out more about the medical standards in Standards for the medical examination of seafarers and coastal pilots PDF586.88 KB.

(3) Get your certificate 

After your examination, the medical inspector will assess you as:

• Fit for duty
• Fit for restricted duties
• Unfit

Fit for duty

You will usually receive your AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303) at your appointment, if no more information is required.

Keep the medical fitness certificate for your applications and records.

Fit for restricted duties

You will usually receive your medical fitness certificate at your appointment, but a restriction or condition may be listed on it.

Conditions or restrictions may include:

• wearing glasses or hearing aids while on duty
• limits on the work you can perform (for example, not fit for lookout duties or not fit to operate lifting equipment)
• a requirement for follow-up medical reviews or reports.

Assessed as unfit for duty

You will not receive a medical fitness certificate. 

If you are declared: 

• Temporarily unfit – you may need further tests or a follow-up appointment. The medical inspector must specify when you can be reassessed.
• Permanently unfit – you may request a review or second opinion.

All reviews and panel assessments must follow Marine Order 76.

Using your certificate

Once you have a valid medical fitness certificate, you can use it to apply for or revalidate your STCW certificate.

Use it to apply or revalidate

You must provide your medical fitness certificate when you apply:

• for an STCW certificate
• to revalidate your STCW certificate

Carry it on board

You must have a valid medical fitness certificate with you on board when working at sea.

You may be asked to show it during compliance checks or audits.

Keep the original certificate.

Follow restrictions or conditions

If you have a restriction or condition listed on your certificate you must follow any restrictions on your certificate while on duty.

You should also make your employer and the vessel’s master aware of these requirements.

If your circumstances change, you may need a new medical examination under Marine Order 76.

Renew your certificate

A medical fitness certificate is valid for:

• up to 24 months or
• up to 12 months if you are under 18 or aged 55 years or over

You may need to renew your certificate earlier if you have a medical condition that could affect your fitness for duty.

Ready to book?

Find an AMSA-approved medical inspector and contact them directly to book your appointment

Standards, legislation and forms

• Marine Order 76 (Health — medical fitness)
• Certificate of Medical Fitness (303) PDF1.69 MB
• Standards for the medical examination of seafarers and coastal pilots (medical inspectors) PDF586.88 KB
• STCW Convention, Regulation I/9
• STCW Code, Section A-I/9 and B-I/9