At a glance
To get an initial STCW certificate, you need to
- Hold a valid AMSA medical
- Complete the approved training and sea service for your certificate
- Complete a sea service assessment and pass an oral exam (Masters and officers only)
- Prepare your documents
- Apply to AMSA
Who needs an STCW certificate?
You must hold an AMSA issued STCW certificate of competency (CoC) or certificate of proficiency (CoP) if you want to work:
- on an Australian-flagged vessel that operates internationally or is certified for international voyages
- in a role regulated under the STCW Convention.
Some STCW certificates may also be used on domestic commercial vessels, depending on the role and vessel.
CoCs are for officer-level roles, such as masters, mates, deck officers and engineer officers. CoPs are for ratings and marine cooks.
Already hold an overseas STCW certificate?
If you hold an STCW certificate issued by another country and want to use it to work on an Australian-flagged vessel, you may need a certificate of recognition.
Eligibility requirements
Before you apply, you must:
- hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- hold any other required STCW certificates (pre-requisites)
- complete all required training courses
- complete the required qualifying sea service
- complete a sea service assessment (officer-level only)
- pass an AMSA oral exam (officer-level only).
Check your certificate requirements
Requirements vary depending on which certificate you are applying for.
Before you start, make sure you know the specific training, sea service and eligibility requirements for your certificate.
How to apply for an STCW certificate
Follow these steps to prepare and submit your application.
Need to complete basic safety training (CoST)?
A Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) has different requirements.
Find out how to get a CoST
- (1) Hold a valid AMSA medical
Before you apply, you must hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303).
You must complete your medical examination in Australia with an AMSA-approved medical practitioner.
We do not accept overseas or flag State medicals (such as ENG1 or OEUK/OGUK).
- (2) Complete training for your certificate
You must complete the required training courses for your certificate with an AMSA approved training provider.
Make sure your course is approved by AMSA
Some STCW courses offered in Australia are not AMSA approved and will not meet the requirements to be issued a CoC or CoP.At the end of your training, your training provider will issue a course completion certificate.
Keep your course completion certificate to provide as evidence when you apply.
Your course completion certificate must show the relevant STCW codes.
We do not accept transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment.
- (3) Meet sea service requirements
You must complete all required qualifying sea service before you apply.
Sea service requirements vary by certificate and may include:
- a minimum period at sea, including working shifts over full days and nights
- service on vessels of a certain size or type
- service in a specific department or function
- service completed after a required training course.
You will need to provide evidence of your sea service when you apply.
Find out what sea service evidence we accept and what it needs to include.
- (4) Apply for a sea service assessment (officer-level only)
If you are applying for an STCW CoC, you must get a sea service assessment before you apply for your new certificate.
You do not need a sea service assessment if you are applying for a CoP (rating certificate).
Sea service assessments are only required for officer-level certificates.
During the assessment, we check that your sea service meets our requirements.
After the assessment, we will send you a sea service assessment letter that tells you:
- if your sea service is accepted
- if you need to complete additional sea service or training to meet requirements.
Sea service assessments can take up to 90 days.
- (5) Book and pass an AMSA oral exam (officers only)
If you hold a certificate of competency (officer), you must also pass an AMSA oral exam before you apply.
Do not book your oral exam until you have received your sea service assessment letter.
You must:
- book your oral exam with AMSA, using your sea service assessment letter as evidence
- pass the oral exam before you apply for your certificate of recognition.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may book and sit the exam again.
We recommend reviewing the relevant Australian syllabus and oral examination checklist before your exam.
You do not need to sit an oral exam if you hold a certificate of proficiency (rating).
- (5) Prepare your documents
When you apply, 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
- 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)
- Required supporting/ancillary certificates
Sea service evidence
- Sea service letter using the sea service letter for international seafarer’s template (if applicable) (ratings only)
- Sea service assessment letter (officers only)
Do not submit additional documents unless we ask for them.
Find out more about how to provide supporting documents.
- (4) Submit your application
To apply, you must complete AMSA Seafarer form 419.
How you submit depends on where you live.
If you live in Australia
You must:
- lodge your application in person at a [link to: 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 instructions 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.
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 sea service assessment time (up to 90 days) or postal delivery time
Allow the full 28 business days before contacting us about your application.
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 apply depends on the certificate.
Read more about STCW fees and charges.
Keep your certificate valid
STCW certificates are valid for 5 years.
You must carry your valid STCW CoC or CoP onboard while serving. You do not need to carry course completion certificates onboard.
Make sure you revalidate before your certificate expires to continue working in an STCW role.
Find out how to revalidate your STCW certificate.
Apply now
Complete AMSA Seafarer form 419
Do you need a sea service assessment?
If you are applying as an officer, you must have completed your sea service assessment and oral exam before you submit your application for a new certificate.