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Who can use overseas training
You can only use eligible overseas training when you are revalidating an existing STCW certificate or endorsement.
To use overseas STCW short courses completed overseas towards your revalidation requirements, you must:
- permanently live outside Australia
- complete an eligible course
- complete it in a country recognised by AMSA
- use a provider approved by that country’s maritime administration
- obtain an acceptable course completion certificate.
You cannot use overseas training for revalidation if you live in Australia
When overseas training cannot be used
You cannot use overseas training:
- to apply for your first Australian STCW certificate
- instead of an Australian certificate revalidation course.
If you are applying for your first certificate, you must complete the required training in Australia with an AMSA-approved training provider.
If you do not have the qualifying sea service needed to revalidate and need to complete a certificate revalidation course, you must also complete that course in Australia with an AMSA-approved training provider.
You must still meet all other revalidation requirements, including any sea service, medical and supporting certificate requirements.
Eligible overseas courses
AMSA may accept:
- a full STCW short course
- refresher or continued competence training for that course, where available.
The course you can use depends on the certificate or endorsement you are revalidating.
Your training must cover the relevant STCW Code requirements and still be valid when AMSA decides your revalidation application.
Certificates
| Certificate | Overseas courses AMSA may accept |
|---|---|
| Master, deck officer or engineer certificate of competency | Advanced fire fighting (STCW Code section A-VI/3) Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (STCW Code section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4) |
| Certificate of Safety Training, Navigational Watch Rating or Engine Room Watch Rating | Personal survival techniques (STCW Code section A-VI/1, paragraph 2.1.1.1) Fire prevention and fire fighting (STCW Code section A-VI/1, paragraph 2.1.1.2) |
| Able Seafarer – Deck, Able Seafarer – Engine or Integrated Rating | Fire prevention and fire fighting (STCW Code section A-VI/1, paragraph 2.1.1.2) Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (STCW Code section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4) |
| Chief Integrated Rating | Advanced fire fighting (STCW A-VI/3) Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (STCW A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4) |
| Fast rescue boat | Proficiency in fast rescue boats (STCW A-VI/2, paragraphs 7 to 10) |
Endorsements
| Endorsement | Overseas course AMSA may accept |
|---|---|
| Advanced oil tanker endorsement | Advanced training for oil tankers (STCW A-V/1-1, paragraph 2) |
| Advanced chemical tanker endorsement | Advanced training for chemical tankers (STCW A-V/1-1, paragraph 3) |
| Advanced gas tanker endorsement | Advanced training for liquefied gas tankers (STCW A-V/1-2, paragraph 2) |
| Basic IGF Code endorsement | Basic training for ships subject to the IGF Code (STCW A-V/3, paragraph 1) |
| Advanced IGF Code endorsement | Advanced training for ships subject to the IGF Code (STCW A-V/3, paragraph 2) |
| Basic Polar Code endorsement | Basic training for ships operating in polar waters (STCW A-V/4, paragraph 1) |
| Advanced Polar Code endorsement | Advanced training for ships operating in polar waters (STCW A-V/4, paragraph 2) |
How to complete overseas training
Follow these steps before you apply to revalidate.
- (1) Check the country is recognised by AMSA
Your training must be completed in a country recognised by AMSA.
If you are unsure whether the country is recognised, contact AMSA before you enrol in training.
- (2) Check the training provider is approved
You must complete your training with a training provider that is approved by that country’s maritime administration.
You should also confirm the provider is approved to deliver the specific course you need.
Contact the country’s maritime administration to confirm the training provider is approved.
For example, if you complete training in India, the course must be delivered in India by a provider approved by the Indian Directorate General of Shipping.
Not all STCW courses are approved
Do not assume a course is accepted because it is described as an STCW course. The provider and the specific course must both be approved by the country’s maritime administration.
- (3) Complete the course and obtain evidence
After completing the course, obtain a course completion certificate.
The course completion certificate must include:
- your name
- the course title
- the relevant STCW regulation or code
- the date the certificate was issued
- the provider’s name and contact details.
We do not accept transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment.
AMSA may also ask for a letter from the training provider confirming that:
- the course is approved by that country’s maritime administration
- you attended and completed the course.
- (4) Apply to revalidate your certificate
Completing your overseas training is only one part of revalidation. You must also meet the sea service, medical and other requirements for your certificate.
Check how to revalidate your STCW certificate
Continued competence and refresher training is valid for 5 years. It must still be valid when AMSA decides your application.
If your training expires while your application is being processed, you will need to complete or provide evidence of current training.