Fact Sheet - STCW 04 Seafarer Certifications Applications Master And Deck Officers, Engineer Officers and Ratings

STCW 04

Fact Sheet SEAFARER CERTIFICATIONS

Print this page

APPLICATIONS MASTER AND

DECK OFFICERS, ENGINEER OFFICERS AND RATINGS12
Purpose
This Fact Sheet provides a summary of Australian Maritime Safety Authority's (AMSA) procedures for lodgement
of applications in Australia for the issue of an International STCW Certificate. For information about applications for
seafarers living overseas, see the Fact Sheet STCW 05 Applications - Immigration - Skills Assessment for Holders of
Certificates issued by Foreign Countries.

Background
AMSA has the responsibility for issuing maritime qualifications for all crew members on regulated Australian vessels
operating under the Navigation Act 2012 and to regulate their issue to standards meeting the needs of the Australian
shipping industry and Australia's obligations under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended (STCW).
Full details on the requirements for the issuance of the certificates in accordance with the STCW Convention as
amended (Manila 2010) are detailed in the Marine Order 70 series.
To qualify for an AMSA seafarer certification which is compliant with the STCW Convention, seafarers must have:
successfully completed an approved course of study, which includes relevant STCW short courses3, conducted at
an AMSA approved seafarer training organisation;
the appropriate qualifying sea service;
a final assessment (for Certificates of Competency and Certificates of Recognition), which includes an oral
examination in operational knowledge and critical skills conducted by AMSA examiners; and
a valid Certificate of Medical Fitness.
The table below provides links to AMSAs specific certificate requirements for:

Master and Deck Officers

Engineer Officers
Ratings
Marine Cook

General
(Full detail in MO70)

Masters and Deck Officers

(Full detail in MO70 & MO71)

Engineer Officers
(Full detail in MO70 & MO72)

Ratings
(Full detail in MO70 & MO73)

Certificate of Safety
Training (CoST)
Marine Cook

Master <24 m FG
Watchkeeper Deck<500 GT
Mate <500 GT
Watchkeeper Deck
Chief Mate <3000 GT
Master < 500 GT
Chief Mate
Master <3000 GT
Master

Electro-technical Officer
Engineer Watchkeeper
Engineer Class 2
Engineer Class 1

Certificate of Safety Training

(CoST)
Performing a Watch
(navigation and engine room)
Able Seafarer Deck
Able Seafarer Engine
Integrated Rating
Chief Integrated Rating

Note: the information in this Fact Sheet is only to be used as a guide and persons requiring formal assessment for a qualification must make
written application to AMSA.
2
For seafarer certificates to operate on domestic Australian vessels in Australia only, please visit the Domestic section of the AMSA website.
3
Completion of relevant short courses sea survival, fire fighting, leadership and team working skills.
1

Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - April 2015

AMSA 1567 (4/15)

Page 1 of 3

Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine
Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014
and Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for
certificate applications.

Fact Sheet - STCW 04 Seafarer Certifications Applications Master And Deck Officers, Engineer Officers and Ratings

Application Processes - Certificates

STEP ONE: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM
Note: It is important that you read the relevant Application Information Guides before you complete your
application form. While AMSA can provide guidance on how to complete relevant forms, AMSA will not provide
oral or written advice, including by email, on either the acceptability of your application or its likely decision
before it is formally lodged and considered. AMSA application charges MUST be paid at the time of lodgment of
an application. Otherwise the application cannot be accepted.
Applicants should not send scanned documents to AMSA for checking or approval as all applications are
assessed in the order in which they are received. AMSA will not accept responsibility for any documents sent to
it by email.
Form for Certification
Form AMSA419 is the online application form for a certificate and revalidation of international certifications.
Note: AMSA419 should be used for applications lodged in Australia. For participating outlets, see
www.amsa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/Fact-Sheets/postofficeoutlets.pdf AMSA419o
should be used for overseas applications. For applications for recognition of overseas qualifications,
Form AMSA12 (seafarers application for assessment of overseas qualifications for the purpose of a migration
application) should be completed prior to completion of AMSA419o.
Marine Cook
All applications for a Certificate of Proficiency as Marine Cook must be made using Form AMSA419.
Non-Resident
For information about application processes for recognition of foreign certificates, see Fact Sheet STCW 05
Applications - Immigration - Skills Assessment for Holders of Certificates issued by Foreign Countries.
Charges
There are charges for international certificates, and these can be found on the Schedule of Charges Fact Sheet. The
charge specific to your application is calculated automatically as you complete AMSA419. AMSA application charges
MUST be paid at the nominated Australia Post retail outlet at the time of lodgement of an application. Otherwise the
application cannot be accepted.
Before completing your Application, it is important to:

read the Information Guides accompanying AMSA419 (there are two sets of notes accompanying the application
form, one for applications lodged in Australia, and the other for overseas applications); and
ensure that you have all the necessary supporting documents.

AMSA419 can also be accessed through the Fact Sheet forms.

Revalidation
For endorsements and revalidation of certificates issued in Australia, use AMSA419. For information about the
application processes, see the Fact Sheet Applications - Endorsement and Fact Sheet Applications - Revalidation
Certificates and Continued Competence.
Sea service
Deck and Engineer Officers may require an AMSA assessment of sea service before lodging an application.
Form AMSA419 should be used if this is the case and lodged through a nominated Australia Post retail office.
See Fact Sheet STCW 23 Sea Service for Sea Service and Training Record Book requirements.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - April 2015

AMSA 1567 (4/15)

Page 2 of 3

Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine
Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014
and Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for
certificate applications.

Fact Sheet - STCW 04 Seafarer Certifications Applications Master And Deck Officers, Engineer Officers and Ratings

STEP TWO: LODGE THE APPLICATION FORM

Australian resident seafarers should lodge their applications with AMSA through a nominated Australia Post office;
Non- resident seafarers who are in Australia are encouraged to lodge their applications to AMSA through a
nominated Australia Post retail office; and
Non-resident seafarers who are not in Australia should lodge their applications with AMSA by mail to one of the
addresses below:
Postal Address
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Shipping Qualifications
GPO Box 2181
Canberra City ACT 2601
Australia

Courier Address
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Shipping Qualifications
82 Northbourne Avenue
Braddon ACT 2612
Australia

Note: Wherever possible, email addresses should be provided on all AMSA forms.
STEP THREE: AMSA CONSIDERS APPLICATION
Once AMSA has received your application, please allow up to 28 days for it to be considered. Note that this
assessment process may take longer if AMSA does not receive all of the information or documents requested. AMSA
will not accept liability for documents lost in transit.
AMSAs consideration process includes assessment of:
1. qualifying sea service;
2. completion of STCW and non-STCW short courses;
3. medical fitness; and
4. successful completion of oral examinations for Deck and Engineer Officers.
STEP FOUR: AMSA DECISION ON APPLICATION AND NOTIFICATION OF DECISION
AMSA will advise you within 28 days in writing of the decision made on your application. If the decision is to refuse to
issue a certificate, then you will be told in writing the reasons for the decision.
A seafarer certificate comes into force on the day it is issued and expires either on:
the day determined by AMSA; or
the day 5 years after it is issued; or
if it is revoked the day it is revoked/withdrawn by AMSA.

If you disagree with our decision

If you are not satisfied with AMSAs decision, you may make application to AMSA for a review of the decision.
Your request for review should be in writing, must clearly request an internal review and must be submitted within 90
days after notification of the decision. You should also include any additional material that may be relevant.
AMSA must advise the applicant in writing of its review decision no later than 28 days after the application for its
review was received.
Decisions made by AMSA can be submitted for review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
For further information, see Marine Order 70, Sections 60-61.

Any Questions?
Frequently asked questions and answers have been compiled and a summary is available for downloading.
If you have any questions about the status of your application, or on the application process, email AMSA:
quals@amsa.gov.au

Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - April 2015

AMSA 1567 (4/15)

Page 3 of 3

Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine
Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014
and Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for
certificate applications.