At a glance
To use equivalent-function service, you must:
- work in an eligible maritime occupation in Australia
- have at least 2.5 years of eligible service during the 5 years before you apply
- provide a detailed statement from your employer
- complete any training AMSA requires
- meet all other requirements to revalidate your certificate.
On this page:
- Who can use equivalent-function service
- How much service you need
- Providing evidence from your employer
- Training you may need to complete
- Complete your training in Australia
- Apply to revalidate
Who can use equivalent-function service
AMSA may recognise service completed in Australia in one of these occupations:
- technical, engineering or marine superintendent
- surveyor appointed under the Navigation Act 2012
- surveyor working for a recognised organisation, as defined by the Navigation Act 2012
- lecturer at an AMSA-approved registered training organisation.
Your service must be in a relevant non-seagoing position within the maritime industry.
How much service you need
You must have completed at least 2.5 years of eligible service during the 5 years immediately before you apply to revalidate.
Your employment does not automatically meet the revalidation requirements.
AMSA will assess whether the work you performed was relevant to the functions and level of your certificate.
Providing evidence from your employer
You will need to provide a statement from your employer on company letterhead.
The statement must include:
- your position and dates of employment
- the duties and responsibilities you performed
- how your work maintained your professional competence
- how your work relates to the functions, level and limitations of your certificate
- the name and contact details of someone AMSA can contact to verify the information.
The statement should address the relevant competencies in the Master, deck and engineer officer revalidation course syllabus.
AMSA will assess whether your employment has maintained the professional competence required for your certificate.
Depending on your employment history, you may also need to complete some revalidation training or STCW short courses.
Training you may need to complete
AMSA will assess your employment history and employer statement to determine whether you need to complete:
- a full revalidation course
- part of a revalidation course
- additional STCW short courses.
Depending on your employment history, you may need to complete full STCW courses:
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats course
- Advanced fire fighting course
- Medical first aid at sea course
- Security awareness training, if you have not already completed it.
You should wait until AMSA has confirmed which training you need to complete before enrolling in a revalidation course.
If you hold a Master or deck certificate
AMSA may accept a combination of:
- Part A or Part B of the Certificate of Competency revalidation course (Master and Deck)
- an employer statement demonstrating that your work covered the competencies in the other part of the course:
- Part A covers competencies including shipmaster’s medical training, legislation, stability and cargo operations.
- Part B covers competencies including bridge resource management, passage planning and navigational equipment.
AMSA will determine whether this option is appropriate based on your employment history and the evidence you provide.
If you hold an Engineers certificate
AMSA may accept a combination of:
- Part A or Part C of the Certificate of Competency revalidation course (Engineer)
- An employer statement demonstrating that your work covered the competencies in the other part of the revalidation course:
- Part A covers competencies including shipmaster’s medical training, legislation, stability and cargo operations.
- Part C covers Fuels & engine types, current technology, permits to work, refrigerant handling, high voltage and change of regulation.
Complete your training in Australia
You must complete any required revalidation course in Australia with an AMSA-approved training provider.
Any required revalidation course must have been completed within the 5 years before you apply.
Find an AMSA-approved training provider
Apply to revalidate
Equivalent-function service only replaces the qualifying sea service component of revalidation.
You must still meet all other requirements for your certificate, including medical fitness, supporting certificates and any required continued competence training.