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.

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

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 deck officer or deck rating AMSA medical (Certificate of medical fitness form 303), you can use this instead.

You must submit your completed form with your application.

You must submit your completed form as part of your Certificate of competency application form 426.

Provide evidence of sea service

The sea service you need depends on what certificate you currently hold.

All of your sea service must be gained while working on commercial vessels at least 24 metres long.

If you hold a Master less than 45 meters near coastal you need to show that you have

• With a completed AMSA task book:
  • 180 days of sea service
  • Including 120 days in charge of navigational watch
• Without an AMSA task book:
  • 360 days of sea service
  • including 240 days in charge of navigational watch

If you hold a Mate less than 80 metres near coastal or another non-command certificate you need to show that you have either:

• With a completed AMSA task book:
  • 360 days of sea service
  • including 120 days as officer of the watch
• Without an AMSA task book:
  • 720 days of sea service
  • all as officer of the watch

If you have completed a task book you must attach a copy of the seafarer details page to your application.

You must submit a copy of your existing certificate of competency 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 a Master <100m 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 a Master less than 100 metres is the Diploma in Maritime Operations. Complete this course at a registered training organisation.

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

Meet additional requirements

You must also hold a:

• valid HLTAID011 Provide first aid certificate, or equivalent
• Long range operator certificate of proficiency, or equivalent.

If you do not hold these certificates 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 AMSA Connect to book your final assessment. We will take payment of the examination fee and confirm your booking.

Refer to the syllabus document PDF514.62 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.