All certificates and training must comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and be with an organisation we have approved.
If you are revalidating your certificate and you are an overseas permanent resident, some STCW short courses may be completed in a country we have an agreement with.
With required sea service
If you already have the required sea service, you will need to:
- Obtain a letter(s) from your employer(s) confirming:
- sea service
- your participation in the mandatory abandon ship and fire drills required by SOLAS
- your participation in scheduled drills required by the on board Safety Management System (see sample template).
- Keep the original of this letter and send us a copy with your application.
- Complete continued competence training for the STCW short courses in Advanced fire fighting and Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats in the previous 5 years.
These continued competence training courses are valid for up to 5 years.
It is a requirement of the STCW Code that seafarers, every five years, provide evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence in fire fighting and sea survival at the appropriate level, as well as fast rescue boats. Currently AMSA considers this requirement as one of the criteria for issue or revalidation of an Australian seafarer certificate issued under the Navigation Act, as specified in the Marine Order 70 series. In the case of revalidation, this is considered every five years. An Australian seafarer certificate will not lapse or expire if, during the five year period of the certificate’s validity, STCW training has not been maintained by the seafarer.
However, AMSA nonetheless strongly recommends seafarers maintain the currency of their STCW Code training over the life of their Australian seafarer certificate, as this is often enforced by foreign Administrations and companies operating foreign flagged vessels.This simply means that seafarers need to be conscious of the period that has elapsed since they last completed STCW Code training requirements and ensure they renew their training five years from this date, even if the five year period does not coincide with the renewal date of their Australian seafarer certificate.
Without required sea service
If you do not have the required sea service, you will need to complete the full STCW short courses in:
- Advanced fire fighting
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
You will also need to complete one of the following options:
- Complete an approved revalidation course for your certificate within 5 years before applying to revalidate your certificate.
- Complete an oral examination.
- Perform duties and functions that we consider at least equivalent to sea service.
Read more about approved training organisations and revalidating your current certificate.
