What do I need to do?

To obtain this certificate, you will need to:

Meet medical and fitness requirements

Download the:

1. Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate

The Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate form 1850 lets us know that you are medically fit for working at sea.

2. Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers

Provide the medical practitioner with the Standards for the medical assessment of domestic seafarers and have them fill out the Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal certificate 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 form as part of your application.

Provide evidence of sea service

You need to show you have experience working at sea as a general purpose hand (with or without a certificate), as a Coxswain grade 2 or 1 near coastal, or assisting an engineer, while on vessels with at least 75 kilowatts propulsion power.

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:

• 20 days of sea service on commercial vessels
• At least half of the sea service on vessels with inboard diesel engines

Without an AMSA task book, you will need:

• 60 days of sea service on commercial vessels
• At least half of the sea service on vessels with inboard diesel engines

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 a Marine engine driver grade 3 task book from us or from some registered training organisation. To order a task book directly from us, use the AMSA chargeable publications order form.

Read more about task books.

Complete a training course

Complete a marine engine driver grade 3 course at a registered training organisation.

You will need to submit your course completion certificate or your interim certificate of competency 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 a registered training organisation.

Pass a final assessment at a registered training organisation

Before being issued your certificate of competency, you are required to complete an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA). This must be conducted by a registered training organisation approved by us as a final assessor.

Refer to the syllabus document to find out what may be included in your final assessment.

After passing the final assessment, the registered training organisation may give you an interim certificate of competency that will allow you to start working immediately. To be eligible for the interim certificate of competency, you must have completed your Certificate of competency application form 426, including signing the declaration.

You must submit the cover page of your completed AMPA with your application.

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.