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Australia

1. Do you need certification in Australia?

Below is the full certification pathway — from eligibility check to receiving your AMSA CoC. By the end of §1–§3, you will know exactly which certificate you need, where to train, and what it costs. §4 walks you through the application. §5 covers immigration, medical, and MLC requirements.

You need an AMSA STCW endorsement (recognition of foreign certificate) if you intend to serve on an Australian-flagged vessel and you hold a non-Australian STCW Certificate of Competency (CoC). Specifically:

  • You need AMSA's recognition of your STCW certificate if you hold a CoC from another administration and want to serve on an Australian-flagged vessel.
  • You need a Certificate of Competency issued by AMSA if you hold no prior STCW CoC and want to qualify for Australian-flag service.

Australia's regulatory framework:

  • Navigation Act 2012 (Cth) — primary federal law governing commercial vessel operations, including certification of seafarers
  • Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 — establishes AMSA as the issuing authority
  • Marine Order 70 — seafarer certification (CoCs)
  • Marine Order 71 — maritime training
  • Marine Order 72 — STCW endorsements
  • STCW Convention and STCW Code, 2017 edition — incorporated by reference under Marine Order 72

You do not need an AMSA endorsement if:

  • You serve exclusively on domestic vessels operating within Australian waters (different state/territory certification applies)
  • You serve as a passenger in a non-watchkeeping role

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2. What certification do you need by position?

STCW divides seafarer certification into four departments plus ratings and MLC catering. Each position has a corresponding STCW regulation and an AMSA standard.

Deck department

Position STCW regulation AMSA standard Required certificate
Master (≥500 GT) II/2 Marine Order 70 + STCW Code A-II/2 Master (≥500 GT)
Chief Mate (≥500 GT) II/2 Marine Order 70 + A-II/2 Chief Mate
Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW) II/1 Marine Order 70 + A-II/1 Watchkeeper Deck
Master (<500 GT, near-coastal) II/3 Marine Order 70 + A-II/3 Master (<500 GT)
Able Seafarer Deck (AB) II/5 Marine Order 71 + A-II/5 Able Seafarer Deck
Rating forming part of a navigational watch (OS) II/4 Marine Order 71 + A-II/4 General Purpose Rating (Deck)

Engine department

Position STCW regulation AMSA standard Required certificate
Chief Engineer / Second Engineer (≥3000 kW) III/2 Marine Order 70 + A-III/2 Chief/Second Engineer
Chief/Second Engineer (750-3000 kW) III/3 Marine Order 70 + A-III/3 Chief/Second Engineer (limited)
Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OOW Engine) III/1 Marine Order 70 + A-III/1 Watchkeeper Engineer
Able Seafarer Engine III/5 Marine Order 71 + A-III/5 Able Seafarer Engine
Rating forming part of an engineering watch III/4 Marine Order 71 + A-III/4 General Purpose Rating (Engine)

Electro-Technical department

Position STCW regulation AMSA standard Required certificate
Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) III/6 Marine Order 70 + A-III/6 ETO
Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) III/7 Marine Order 71 + A-III/7 ETR

Radio department

Position STCW regulation AMSA standard Required certificate
GMDSS Radio Operator IV/2 Marine Order 70 + A-IV/2 GMDSS Operator (Long Range Certificate)

Catering (MLC, not STCW)

STCW does not regulate ship cooks and catering roles. However, MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2 and Standard A3.2 require that ships providing food to crew have a qualified ship's cook. Australia implements this through the Navigation Act 2012 and the AMSA Marine Order series.

A ship's cook does not need an STCW certificate but must:

  • Hold a commercial cookery qualification (Australian Certificate III or equivalent)
  • Have completed food hygiene and safety training recognised by the relevant state/territory authority
  • Be registered with AMSA as a qualified ship's cook on vessels to which MLC applies

Source: AMSA — Ship's cooks and MLC.

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Related guides:

3. Where to get the training

STCW courses must be completed at AMSA-approved training providers within Australia, or at training providers in countries whose certificates AMSA recognises under STCW Regulation I/10.

Deck training

Engine training

  • High Voltage (Operational and Management) for vessels with HV systems: High Voltage Familiarization (MPA).
  • Engine room resource management: ERM (VMA).
  • LNG cargo operations if serving on LNG carriers: LNG Cargo Pumps (MPA).

Tanker and specialised training (STCW Chapter V)

  • Oil and Chemical Tanker Familiarisation (V/1-1): VMA course (ref=1567).
  • Advanced Oil Tanker Operations (V/1-1 para 3-4): VMA course (ref=1567).
  • Liquefied Gas Tanker Familiarisation (V/1-2): VMA course (ref=1567).
  • Passenger Ship Crowd Management (V/2): VMA course (ref=1567).

Security and MLC training

  • Ship Security Officer (SSO) per ISPS Code: CSO (VMA).
  • Security Awareness for all crew: Security Awareness (MPA).
  • Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) familiarisation for ship's cooks: MLC (MPA).
  • Designated Person Ashore (DPA) per ISM Code: DPA (VMA).

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4. How to apply for the AMSA endorsement

Submit applications to:

AMSA — Seafarer Certification — by post or via the AMSA Online Services portal.

Phone: +61 2 6279 5000 (Canberra headquarters).

Verification

AMSA certificate verification: AMS Online Services — employers and port authorities can verify the authenticity of AMSA certificates online.

For broader context, compare Australia certification requirements with other flag states, and review your flag state options before applying.

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5. Other requirements

Immigration and crew visas

The rules for foreign seafarers in Australia depend on whether you qualify as a “crew member” under Australian immigration law. Australia has a specific maritime crew visa (subclass 988) that covers the vast majority of seafarers serving on commercial vessels — separate from the general work permit framework.

Foreign seafarers in Australian waters are governed by:

When you need a Maritime Crew Visa (subclass 988)

Per Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2, the Maritime Crew Visa (subclass 988) is required for non-Australian citizens working as crew members on commercial vessels (including cruise ships, cargo vessels, and offshore support vessels) that call at Australian ports.

Eligibility:

  • You must be employed or engaged as a crew member of a vessel that is, or will be, sailing to or from Australia
  • The vessel must not be a military vessel
  • The employing vessel operator must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs as a sponsor

Coverage:

  • Multiple entries during the visa validity period
  • Crew members can enter and leave Australia while the vessel is in port
  • Includes transit through Australian airports to join the vessel

Validity: Up to 4 years (sponsored by the vessel operator).

Application fee: AUD $410 (per applicant, as of 2024) — paid by the sponsoring vessel operator.

Processing time: Typically 3-6 months from application to decision, depending on the volume of applications and complexity of the case. Apply well in advance of the planned crew change date.

Conditions:

  • Crew must leave Australia with the vessel (or via subsequent crew change)
  • Crew cannot take shore-based employment in Australia while holding a Maritime Crew Visa
  • Crew can transit through Australian airports to join a vessel at an Australian port

Source: Department of Home Affairs — Maritime Crew Visa (subclass 988).

When you need a different visa

Some seafarers do not qualify for the Maritime Crew Visa and need a different visa pathway:

  • Subclass 400 (Temporary Work – Short Stay) — for short-term specialist work up to 3 months. Used when the seafarer is on a vessel not eligible for subclass 988 sponsorship (e.g., private yachts, research vessels). Application fee: AUD $405 (as of 2024). Processing time: 1-3 weeks for straightforward cases. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 400.
  • Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) — for longer-term engagements (up to 4 years) where the seafarer has a sponsoring employer and the role is on the skilled occupation list. Application fee: AUD $1,735 (Short-term stream) or AUD $3,210 (Medium-term stream) as of 2024. Processing time: 2-6 months. Rare for standard maritime roles.
  • Subclass 403 (Temporary Work – International Relations) — for specific government agreement contexts. Application fee: AUD $410 (Government Agreement stream) as of 2024.

Transit and short-term entry

For seafarers transiting Australia to join a vessel:

  • Subclass 771 (Transit visa) — required for some passport holders transiting through Australian airports. Most seafarers joining vessels under the Maritime Crew Visa do not need a separate transit visa. Application fee: AUD $195 (as of 2024).
  • eVisitor (subclass 651) — passport-based visa for eligible passport holders (e.g., EU, UK, Japan) for short stays. Application fee: Free (no charge).

Confirm current visa requirements at Department of Home Affairs Visa Finder at least 4 weeks before the joining date.

Medical certificate

All seafarers on Australian-flagged vessels must hold a valid Australian Certificate of Medical Fitness, issued under the Navigation Act 2012 and Marine Order 70 (certification).

The medical examination covers fitness for duty at sea, including vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and psychological suitability. It must be conducted by an AMSA-approved marine medical practitioner.

For joining Australia-flagged vessels from overseas, foreign seafarers may use STCW-compliant medical certificates from their home administration (e.g., ENG1, USCG medical certificate) for the first 3 months, after which an Australian marine medical examination is required.

The certificate is typically valid for 2 years with some roles requiring annual renewal.

For Maritime Crew Visa (subclass 988) applications, a separate Immigration Medical Examination (IME) by a panel physician is required if the engagement exceeds 6 months.

Source: AMSA — Seafarer medical fitness.

MLC 2006 implementation

Australia ratified the MLC 2006 and implements it through the Navigation Act 2012 and Marine Labour Standards. AMLA (Australian Maritime Labour Authority) within AMSA administers MLC compliance.

The MLC covers seafarers' working conditions, repatriation, accommodation, food and catering, health protection, and social security. AMSA conducts MLC inspections on Australian-flagged vessels.

Source: AMSA — Marine Labour Standards.

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Compare your pathway with neighbouring maritime flag states:

  • New Zealand — NZ and AMSA share STCW recognition agreements
  • United Kingdom — compare AMSA and UK MCA certification paths
  • Canada — transport Canada reciprocity for AMSA certificate holders

For more context on the certifications mentioned on this page:

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about certification, training, and endorsement pathways for seafarers on the Australia maritime register.

Do I need Australian certification to work on an Australian-flagged vessel?
Yes. AMSA requires a Certificate of Competency or a Certificate of Equivalency for all officers serving on Australian-flagged commercial vessels subject to STCW.
How long does AMSA certification take?
Certificate of Equivalency processing is typically 4 to 6 weeks. Initial Australian CoC applications require examination booking and sea-time verification, which adds time depending on the candidate pathway.
What is the difference between AMSA and STCW certification?
AMSA implements STCW through Marine Orders Part 3. Australian certification adds GMDSS operator requirements specific to Australian waters, AMSA-approved medical fitness, and Australian-specific familiarisation where applicable.
How much does AMSA certification cost?
AMSA fees are published in their annual fee schedule. Costs include application fees, examination fees, and any required Australian-specific training or assessments. Budget from low-hundreds to low-thousands AUD depending on rank.
What medical certificate do I need for Australian certification?
An AMSA-approved medical fitness certificate, typically obtained from an AMSA-approved doctor. ENG1 is accepted for some pathways, subject to currency.
Can I use my STCW from another country in Australia?
Yes, via the AMSA Certificate of Equivalency pathway. Officers holding CoCs from countries with which AMSA has reciprocal arrangements can apply without repeating all STCW courses, provided STCW basic and refresher training are current.