Restricted pilot licence

On this page:

• About this licence
• Eligibility requirements
• How to apply
• How to renew
• Pilotage providers

About this licence

Restricted pilot licence holders can pilot a vessel in a particular pilotage area where draught limits apply. All mariners who are new to coastal pilotage start on the restricted licence.

You can apply for a restricted licence for these pilotage areas:

• Inner Route (from Cape York to Cairns)
• Great North East Channel
• Hydrographers Passage.

Note: We don't issue restricted licences for the Whitsundays pilotage area. You can only pilot this area with an unrestricted licence.

Eligibility requirements

To be issued with a restricted coastal pilot licence, you must meet these requirements.

(1) Entitled to work in Australia

For information on working in Australia, see Department of Home Affairs.

(2) Qualified

You are qualified if you:

• hold a Master at least 3000 GT certificate of competency issued by AMSA OR
• hold a certificate of recognition or restricted certificate of recognition issued by AMSA equivalent to a Master at least 3000 GT OR
• hold Royal Australian Navy (RAN) qualifications in pilotage, navigation and seafaring which we determine is a satisfactory equivalent* OR
• have completed alternative pathway A, B or C within the 4 years before you apply.

*We consider successful completion of the RAN Surface Combatant Navigation Course (SCNC) as equivalent to an Australian Master (3000 gross tonnes or over) certificate of competency or certificate of recognition, for the purpose of issuing a pilot licence.

(3) Competent in the English language

You are competent if you can:

• speak and understand English
• understand documents and directions when performing duties under the licence
• write documents and give directions when performing duties under the licence.

We will verify your English language competence when you complete the certificate of competency or certificate of recognition process.

(4) Medically fit

You must hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (form 303).

(5) Training and assessment complete

You must have satisfactorily completed ALL of these training courses:

• approved coastal pilotage training course within the 4-years the application
• bridge resource management course approved by AMSA within the 4-years before the application
• fatigue risk management course approved by AMSA
• written and/or an oral examination administered by AMSA
• a training workbook approved by AMSA
• a check voyage assessment.

Great North East Channel and Inner Route pilotage areas

If you want to transit in these areas, you must also complete a competency assessment in the use of Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) system approved by AMSA.

Alternative qualifications pathways

If you don't meet the qualifications requirements, you may still be eligible to apply to become a coastal pilot through an alternative pathway. You need to be recommended by a licenced pilotage provider and approved by AMSA to participate in these pathways.

Pathway A: approval + Master or Chief Mate certificate

Eligibility

To be eligible for a restricted licence in this pathway, you must:

• have approval from AMSA to participate in this pathway based on the recommendation of an approved pilotage provider
• meet all the eligibility requirements above (except holding a valid Master at least 3000 GT certificate of competency, or navy equivalent).

You must also have at least one of the following certificates:

• expired Master at least 3000 GT (STCW II/2) certificate of competency
• valid or expired Master less than 3000 GT (STCW II/2) certificate of competency
• valid or expired Master less than 500 GT (STCW II/3) certificate of competency
• valid or expired Chief Mate at least 3000 GT (STCW II/2) certificate of competency
• valid or expired Chief Mate less than 3000 GT (STCW II/2) certificate of competency.

Note: If your certificate of competency was not issued by AMSA, then a certificate of recognition issued by AMSA is considered equivalent.

Requirements

To be issued with a restricted licence, you must do ALL of the following:

• provide AMSA with a copy of your STCW II/2 or II/3 certificate
• complete the following minimum required on-water practical transits with a mentor for each licenced area:
  • Inner Route - 24 transits
  • Hydrographers Passage – 20 transits
  • Great North East Channel - 8 transits
• have completed all alternative pathway required training within the previous 4 years
• successfully complete a coastal pilot proficiency check (CPPC).

Note: You may also be asked to complete a check on a bridge simulator.

Next steps: If you want to apply through this pathway, contact a licenced pilotage provider.

Pathway B: approval + Deck Watchkeeper certificate or navy equivalent 

Eligibility

To be eligible for a restricted licence in this pathway, you must:

• have approval from AMSA to participate in this pathway based on the recommendation of an approved pilotage provider
• meet all the eligibility requirements above (except holding a valid Master at least 3000 GT certificate of competency, or navy equivalent)
• have a valid or expired Deck Watchkeeper/Officer of the Watch (STCW II/1) certificate of competency as OR have experience as a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Maritime Warfare Officer*. Your RAN service must have involved navigational duties such as officer in charge of the navigational watch, navigator, hydrographer, executive officer or commanding officer.

Note: If your certificate of competency was not issued by AMSA, then a certificate of recognition issued by AMSA is considered equivalent.

*We consider successful completion of the RAN Bridge warfare and RAN Navigation watchkeeping certificate as equivalent to a Deck Watchkeeper certificate of competency or certificate of recognition, for the purpose of issuing a pilot licence.  

Requirements

To be issued with a restricted licence, you must do ALL of the following:

• meet all the eligibility requirements above (except holding a valid Master at least 3000 GT certificate of competency, or navy equivalent)
• provide AMSA with a copy of your STCW II/1 certificate or RAN qualifications
• complete formal education to the required competencies under STCW II/2
• complete the following minimum required on-water practical transits with a mentor for each licenced area:
  • Inner Route - 24 transits
  • Hydrographers Passage – 20 transits
  • Great North East Channel - 8 transits
• have completed all alternative pathway required training within the past 4 years
• successfully complete a coastal pilot proficiency check (CPPC).

Note: You may also be asked to complete a check on a bridge simulator.

Next steps: If you want to apply through this pathway, contact a licenced pilotage provider.

Pathway C: approval + at least 36 months recent port pilot service

Eligibility

To be eligible for a restricted licence in this pathway, you must have:

• approval from AMSA to participate in this pathway based on the recommendation of an approved pilotage provider
• performed at least 36 months active service as a port pilot in the past 5 years.

Requirements

To be issued with a restricted licence, you must do ALL of the following:

• provide AMSA with evidence of your previous port pilot licence and experience in the last 5 years
• complete formal education to the required competencies under STCW II/2
• complete minimum required on-water practical transits with a mentor for each licenced area:
  • Inner Route - 24 transits
  • Hydrographers Passage – 20 transits
  • Great North East Channel - 8 transits
• complete all alternative pathway required training within the 2 years before applying
• successfully complete a coastal pilot proficiency check (CPPC).

Note: You may also be asked to complete a check on a bridge simulator.

Next steps: If you want to apply through this pathway, contact a licenced pilotage provider.

Required transits for alternative pathways

You must complete these transits at a minimum if you are applying through pathway A, B or C.

Inner Route 

24 transits in total. At least:

• 4 transits must be northbound
• 2 transits must include night conditions in waters west of Alert Patches.

Hydrographers Passage

20 transits in total. At least:

• 10 must be east bound, 4 of which must include night conditions in waters between Blossom Bank and Bugatti Reef
• 4 must be on capesize ships (A capsize ship has length overall equal to or more than 290 metres.)
• 4 must be west bound, 1 of which must include night conditions in waters between Blossom Bank and Bugatti Reef.

Great North East Channel  

8 transits in total for the full extend of GNEC. At least:

• 4 must be northbound, 1 of which must include night conditions
• 2 must be southbound, 1 of which must include night conditions.  

Required education and training for alternative pathways

* ECDIS Training is a perpetual qualification. You are not required to complete this within the 4 year timeframe specified in the eligibility pathways.

** You don’t need to complete the GMDSS short course if you have a current GMDSS certificate issued by AMSA or a current certificate of recognition (CoR) GMDSS certificate issue by AMSA.  

How to apply

All applicants: We recommend speaking to a licenced pilotage provider to see if they are interested in employing you before applying. 

Alternative pathway applicants: You must speak to a licenced pilotage provider and get approval before applying.

1. Complete an application for a coastal pilot licence renewal form 1021. Include all supporting documentation relevant to the requirements.
2. Pay an application fee based on the schedule of fees.

Support to meet the requirements

I'm not entitled to work in Australia

You must be entitled to work in Australia. See the Department of Home Affairs for skilled migration program options. 

We can provide a migration skills assessment if you are applying for a skilled visa.

I haven't completed all the training

If you meet most eligibility criteria apart from training requirements, consider contacting a pilotage provider to let them know you want to work as a coastal pilot. If they want to employ you, they may pay for your training.

Speak to a licenced pilotage provider to find out more.

I have a certificate but it wasn't issued by AMSA

If you hold a certificate of competency issued overseas (not by AMSA), you can apply for a certificate of recognition to meet the qualifications requirements.

How to renew

To renew your restricted coastal pilot licence, you must:

• have held a pilot licence in the 2 years before application
• have completed continuing professional development to the satisfaction of AMSA within the 2 years before applying
• hold a Certificate of Medical Fitness
• have completed a coast pilotage proficiency check (CPPC)
• have completed the pilotage area transit requirements.

If your licence has expired

If your restricted licence expired 6 months to 2 years before application, you must satisfactorily complete the CPPC within the 12 months before you renew.

Pilotage area transit requirements for renewals

Hydrographer’s Passage

You must have completed at least 8 transits within the 2 year period before application, including at least 4 in the last 12 months. This must have included 1 check pilot assessment.

Inner Route  

You must have completed at least 8 transits, including at least 4 in the last 12 months. This must have included 1 check pilot assessment.

Great North East Channel  

You must have completed at least 4 transits within the 2 year period before application, including at least 2 in the last 12 months. This must have included 1 check pilot assessment.

Renew now

1. Complete an application for a coastal pilot licence/renewal (form 1021). Include all supporting documentation relevant to the requirements.
2. Pay an application fee. 

Licenced pilotage providers

Auriga Group

Email: contact@auriga.com.au
Phone: +61 413 878 792

Torres Pilots

Email: operations@torrespilots.com.au
Phone: +61 7 3217 9544

Strait Point Pty Ltd

Email: operations@straitpoint.com.au