What do I need to do?

To obtain this certificate you will need to:

Meet medical and eyesight requirements 

Download the: 

1. Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate 

The Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea. 

If you are colour blind, you will be restricted to working in daylight hours only. 

2. Guidelines for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers 

Provide a medical practitioner with the Guidelines for the medical assessment of near coastal seafarers and have them fill out the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers form 1850. 

If you have a current AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303) you can use this instead.
You must submit your completed medical form with your Certificate of competency application form 426.

Complete a training course

Applying using a recreational boat licence

If you hold a recreational boat licence, issued by a State or Territory, you do not need to complete any additional training.

Applying using other training

You can complete any one of the following: 

• Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course 
• RYA Level 2 Powerboat course 
• IYT Small Powerboat & RIB Master Certificate of Competence
• The following units from the MAR Maritime Training Package at a registered training organisation: 
  • MARI003 Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres 
  • MARK007 Handle a vessel up to 12 metres 
  • MARN008 Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres 

If you have previously completed Exemption 38 training and assessment you will need to submit your final practical record of assessment. 

You will need to submit your course completion certificate or statement of attainment with your Certificate of competency application form 426. 

Provide evidence of sea service

Applying using a recreational boat licence

If you are applying using a recreational boat licence, issued by a State or Territory, you will need: 

• One day of qualifying sea service on a commercial vessel 
• A Coxswain grade 3 NC Declaration form AMSA 1882 to show you have completed the practical on water tasks. 

You need to submit at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service: 

• Record of sea service form 771
• the on board sea service record from your task book
• a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service 
• an approved sea service log book.

Applying using other training

You do not need to submit sea service if you are applying using any of the following: 

• Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course 
• RYA Level 2 Powerboat course 
• IYT Small Powerboat & RIB Master Certificate of Competence
• Completion of Exemption 38 training and assessment 
• All the following units from the MAR Maritime Training Package: 
  • MARI003 Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres 
  • MARK007 Handle a vessel up to 12 metres 
  • MARN008 Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres 

Read more about qualifying sea service. 

Meet additional requirements 

You must also hold a: 

• valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent. 

If you do not hold these certificates, contact a registered training organisation. 

Complete and submit a Certificate of competency application

To apply, complete and submit the Certificate of competency application form 426. 
Read more about completing and submitting your application for a domestic certificate.