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 domestic seafarers 

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

2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers   

Provide a medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic 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 will need to attach your completed medical form to your application.

Provide evidence of sea service

The sea service you need depends on the certificate of competency or other qualification you currently hold. 

All sea service must be done on commercial vessels with inboard diesel engines with at least 400 kilowatts propulsion power, and while working in an engineering capacity.  

You can reduce the amount of sea service you need by completing an AMSA task book. If you have completed a task book, you must attach a copy of the seafarer details page to your application. 

With a completed AMSA task book, you will need: 

• 180 days of engineering sea service while holding a Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal  
• 120 days of engineering sea service while holding a workshop skill equivalent qualification  

Without an AMSA task book, you will need: 

• 360 days of engineering sea service  while holding a Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal  
• 240 days of engineering sea service while holding a Workshop skill equivalent qualification  
• 90 days of engineering sea service while holding an AMSA Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency. 

 

You must submit a copy of your existing certificate of competency or workshop skill equivalent qualification as part of your application. 

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 

Read more about qualifying sea service. 

If you want a task book 

You can get an Engineer Class 3 near coastal task book from us or from some registered training organisations. To order a task book directly from us, use the AMSA chargeable publications order form. 

Read more about task books. 

Complete a training course

The training for an Engineer class 3 near coastal is the Diploma in Marine Engineering. Complete this course at a registered training organisation. 

You will need to submit your course completion certificate with your application. 

Meet additional requirements

You must also hold a valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent.

If you do not hold this certificate contact your 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.

Pass a final assessment

You need to pass a final assessment before getting your certificate of competency. Once we have assessed your application, you will be invited to contact AMSA Connect to book your final assessment. We will take payment of the examination fee and confirm your booking. 

Refer to the syllabus document PDF604.4 KB and the examiner checklist to find out what may be included in your final assessment. 

When you pass the final assessment, you will be given an interim certificate of competency so that you can start working immediately. 

If you do not pass the final assessment, you will be able to try again. Your assessor will advise you when you can book your resit. You will have to pay the fee each time you sit for the final assessment.