At a glance
For initial issue of a Chief Mate (unlimited), you need to:
- Hold a prerequisite STCW certificate
- Hold a valid AMSA medical (303)
- Hold a valid GMDSS certificate
- Complete approved training
- Complete qualifying sea service
- Get your sea service assessed
- Pass an oral exam
- Prepare your documents
- Apply to AMSA
Ready to apply? Complete Seafarer form 419 now
On this page:
- About this certificate
- Eligibility requirements
- How to get this certificate
- Keep your certificate valid
- Add an endorsement
- Career pathways
About this certificate
A Chief Mate is an STCW certificate of competency (officer-level) for experienced deck officers progressing to command roles.
It allows you to work as a Chief Mate on vessels of any size, in any operating area, under the STCW convention.
With this certificate, you can:
- work as Chief Mate
- perform officer in charge of navigational watch duties.
Eligibility requirements
To be issued this certificate, you must:
- hold, or have held, one of these AMSA-issued certificates:
- Watchkeeper Deck (II/1)
- Chief Mate <3000 GT (II/1 and parts of II/2)
- Master <3000 GT (II/2)
- Master <500 GT (II/1 and parts of II/2)
- hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- hold a valid GMDSS radio operator certificate (or GMDSS certificate of recognition).
You must also complete the training, sea service, assessment and exam requirements explained in the steps below.
How to get this certificate
Follow these steps to get this certificate.
- (1) Check your prerequisites
To be eligible for a Chief Mate (unlimited), you need to hold the required prerequisite and supporting certificates.
Prerequisite certificate
You must hold (or have held) one of the following AMSA-issued certificates:
- Watchkeeper Deck (II/1)
- Chief Mate <3000 GT (II/1 and parts of II/2)
- Master <3000 GT (II/2)
- Master <500 GT (II/1 and parts of II/2).
If you do not hold, or have not held, one of these certificates, you are not eligible for a Chief Mate (unlimited) certificate.
GMDSS radio operator certificate
You must hold a valid GMDSS radio operator certificate (or GMDSS certificate of recognition).
Your GMDSS certificate may expire at a different time to your primary certificate. Make sure it is valid when you apply.
Certificate of medical fitness
You must hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303) for STCW seafarers before you apply.
You must complete your medical examination in Australia with an AMSA-approved medical practitioner.
We do not accept:
- overseas medical assessments
- flag state medicals (such as ENG1 or OEUK/OGUK)
- AMSA near coastal medical certificates (1850).
- (2) Complete an approved training course
To be eligible for this certificate, you must complete an approved training course and the required STCW short courses with an AMSA approved training provider.
Make sure your training provider is approved
You must complete these courses with an AMSA-approved training provider.
We do not accept training completed with other providers or overseas.
Find an AMSA approved training providerCertificate course
Complete AMSA-approved Chief Mate training (STCW A-II/2).
This is typically delivered as part of an Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited) program.
STCW short courses (if not already held)
You must also have:
- Advanced fire fighting (STCW A-VI/3)
- Medical care on board ship (STCW A-VI/4)(4-6)
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (STCW A-VI/2)
- Basic safety training (STCW Reg VI/1)
- Security awareness training (STCW VI/6 (4))
Recognition of prior learning
Your AMSA-approved training provider can:
- confirm which units are included in your course
- assess whether your existing training meets the requirements
- advise if your previous training may count through recognition of prior learning (RPL).
- (3) Meet qualifying sea service requirements
You must complete:
- at least 360 days (12 months)
- on vessels 500 GT or more
- on voyages of 24 hours or more
- as a deck officer (for example Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch (OICNW), Chief Mate or Master)
- while holding one of these certificates:
- Watchkeeper Deck (II/1)
- Chief Mate <3000 GT (II/1 and parts of II/2)
- Master <3000 GT (II/2)
- Master <500 GT (II/1 and parts of II/2).
Sea service rules
Your sea service only counts while performing duties at sea. Time assigned to a vessel alone will not count as qualifying sea service towards this certificate.
Special rules apply for FPSO, FSO, dredger and tug service.
Check the sea service rules for STCW certificates
- (4) Apply for a sea service assessment
Once you have completed your qualifying sea service, you need to apply to AMSA for a sea service assessment.
You will need to provide evidence of your sea service.
Find out how to prepare your evidence and apply for a sea service assessment.
- (5) Pass an oral exam
You must pass an AMSA oral exam before you can apply for this certificate.
Do not book your oral exam until you have received your sea service assessment letter.
- (6) Prepare your documents
When you apply, you need:
- Proof of identity
- A passport-style photograph (if you live overseas)
- A copy of your prerequisite STCW certificate
- AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303)
- GMDSS radio operator certificate or GMDSS certificate of recognition
- Course completion certificate(s) showing the relevant STCW course codes (not transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment)
- Sea service assessment notice
Do not submit additional documents unless we ask for them.
Find out more about proof of identity and providing supporting documents.
- (7) Apply for your certificate
Once you have completed all the steps, you’re ready to apply.
Complete Seafarer form 419, then download and print it.
How you submit your application depends on where you live.
Keep your certificate valid
You must revalidate this certificate every 5 years to continue working.
Find out how to revalidate your certificate.
Apply early to avoid delays
You should apply to revalidate your STCW certificate in the 6 months before it expires
Add an endorsement
You may need additional endorsements depending on the vessel, cargo or duties you perform.
Endorsements available for this certificate include:
- Tanker (oil, chemical, gas)
- Security
- Polar code (basic and advanced)
- IGF code (Basic and advanced)
- Passenger vessel
- High speed craft
- Fast rescue boats
- WIG type A craft
- Dynamic position
- Sailing vessels
- ECDIS trained
Learn more about STCW endorsements
Competencies included with this certificate
Training completed for this certificate already meets the requirements for:
Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (PSCRB)
Medical care on board ships
You do not need to apply for these endorsements separately.
Career pathways
With this certificate, you can progress to higher-level deck officer certificates, including:
- Master <3000 GT
- Master (unlimited)
Explore certificate progression for deck officers.