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International endorsements

Find out the requirements you need to fulfill to obtain an international endorsement.

These endorsements are issued under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, made under the Navigation Act 2012.

The procedures for endorsement application process and requirements apply to:

  • Masters and deck officers
  • Engineer officers
  • Ratings (chief integrated rating, integrated rating, able seafarer—deck, able seafarer—engine), navigational watch rating, engine room watch rating)
  • Marine cooks
  • Certificate of safety training (see conditions below)

When to get an endorsement

If you hold a seafarer certificate you may apply for endorsement on your certificate for some vessel or function training that you have achieved. This will enable you to carry out the endorsed duties or functions on a regulated Australian vessel. 

A holder of a certificate of safety training may be issued with a passenger vessel crisis management and human behaviour endorsement and certificate of survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats following approved training. No other endorsement will be issued for this certificate.

AMSA may endorse a near coastal certificate of competency on a case by case basis using the application process below.

Read more about endorsements in section 37 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014.

Apply for an endorsement from overseas

You need to fill out the AMSA form 419 then print and sign it. You can send your application to us at our email address, SCSApplications@amsa.gov.au.

The email needs to contain a scanned copy of your completed and signed application form, scans of certified copies of your supporting documents, and a colour JPG photograph of yourself. We will reject any application where we cannot read the scanned supporting documents. 
You can find more information about submitting from overseas on the AMSA form 419, application form page.

In addition, please note:

Eligibility and revalidation requirements for endorsements

Schedule 2 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer Certification) 2014 contains the full list of eligibility requirements for vessel and function endorsements, and revalidation of endorsements. A summary of the requirements is listed below for each endorsement. 

Important disclaimer

These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014, Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014 and Marine Order 74 (Master and deck officers – yachts) 2015. Please refer to these marine orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.

Last updated: 

Thursday 2 November 2023