At a glance
For initial issue of a Master (unlimited), you need to:
- Hold a pre-requisite 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 Master (unlimited) is an STCW certificate of competency (officer-level).
It allows you to work as a Master or Chief Mate on vessels of any size, in any operating area, under the STCW convention.
With this certificate, you can:
- work as a Master or Chief Mate
- perform officer in charge of navigational watch (deck) duties
- perform Able Seafarer — Deck duties.
Eligibility requirements
To be issued this certificate, you must:
- hold, or have held, one of these AMSA-issued certificates:
- Master <3000 GT
- Chief Mate
- Chief Mate <3000 GT
- 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 Master (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:
- Master <3000 GT
- Chief Mate
- Chief Mate <3000GT
Your prerequisite certificate must have been issued by AMSA.
If you do not hold or have not held one of these certificates, you are not eligible for a Master (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 an Advanced diploma of Maritime Operations (Master unlimited)
STCW short courses (if not already held)
You must also have:
- Advanced fire fighting (STCW A-VI/3)
- Medical first aid (STCW A-VI/4)(1- 3)
- 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
There are 2 ways to meet the sea service requirements for this certificate:
- a standard option (36 months) if your sea service is mostly in watchkeeping or deck officer roles
- a reduced sea service option (24 months) if you have experience as a Chief Mate or Master.
Choose the option that best matches your situation.
Option 1: Standard (36 months)
You must complete:
- at least 1080 days (36 months)
- on vessels 500 GT or more
- as officer in charge of a navigational watch (OICNW)
- including at least 720 days (24 months) on voyages of 24 hours or more
- including at least 180 days (6 months) on vessels 1500 GT or more
- while holding one of these certificates:
- Watchkeeper Deck
- Chief Mate <3000 GT
- Master <500 GT
- Chief Mate
- Master <3000 GT
- Mate <500 GT (with Chief Mate <3000 GT near coastal endorsement)
- an overseas STCW certificate AMSA considers equivalent
- with at least 360 days (12 months) while holding one of these AMSA-issued certificates:
- Chief Mate <3000 GT
- Chief Mate
- Master <3000GT.
Option 2: Experienced Chief Mate or Master (24 months)
You must complete:
- at least 720 days (24 months)
- on vessels 500 GT or more
- on voyages of 24 hours or more
- in the deck department, as officer in charge of a navigational watch (OICNW)
- including at least 180 days (6 months) on vessels 1500 GT or more
- while holding one of the following AMSA-issued certificates:
- Master <500 GT
- Chief Mate <3000 GT
- Mate <500GT (with Chief Mate <3000 GT near coastal endorsement)
- with at least 360 days (12 months) as a Chief Mate or Master, while holding one of these AMSA-issued certificates:
- Chief Mate <3000 GT
- Chief Mate
- Master <3000GT.
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:
- Dynamic positioning operator (limited and unlimited)
- Polar code (basic and advanced)
- Security endorsements
- IGF code (basic and advanced)
- Basic and advanced tanker endorsements (oil, chemical, gas)
- WIG type A craft
- Passenger vessel
- High speed craft
- Proficiency in fast rescue boats
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)
Security Awareness Training (SAT)
You do not need to apply for these endorsements separately.
Career pathways
This is the highest level STCW deck certificate.
With this certificate, you can work as a Master or Chief Mate on vessels of any size, in any operating area.
You can also broaden your experience through endorsements or specialised roles.