Use this procedure to book oral exams as an RTO when:

• you want to book a block of exams for a minimum of 6 candidates
• the exams will be held at your premises
• an AMSA examiner will attend
• the exam is a requirement for an eligible qualification.

Qualifications eligible for block-booked exams 

Near coastal seafarers

• Master <45m NC 
• Master <100m NC 
• Marine engine driver grade 1 NC 
• Engineer class 3 NC 

STCW seafarers

• Master <500 GT 
• Watchkeeper deck 
• Chief mate 
• Master 
• Electro-technical officer 
• Engineer watchkeeper 
• Engineer class 2, second engineer 
• Engineer class 1, first engineer 

How to block-book exams

Use the following procedure noting the required timeframes for each step.

8 weeks before the exams 

Request templates from AMSA Seafarer Certification: 

• for STCW exams – contact STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au
• for NC exams – contact Nearcoastal.applications@amsa.gov.au

At least 6 weeks before

Submit your request to book a block of oral exams to the relevant email address. Your request must include:

• a date range for the exams
• the qualification being examined for
• the number of candidates
• the proposed location for exams (you must provide a room suitable for exam conditions).

We will acknowledge receipt within 2 business days.

4 weeks before

We will confirm availability of examiner(s). If no appropriate examiners are available, we may decline the request or propose different dates.

3 weeks before 

After we've confirmed your exams, use the provided template to confirm the details for each candidate, including:

• name
• date of birth
• email address
• phone number
• seafarer ID (if available)
• course completion
• that we have issued a qualifying sea service letter (only for STCW candidates). 

We will request payment directly from the candidates, as per the fees and charges applicable for oral exams. 

We'll then provide you with a list of candidates who paid the fee. Candidates who do not pay within the requested time will not be eligible for the block of exams.

1 week before 

Provide a complete exam timetable, including:

• candidate name
• exam time
• assigned room
• your point of contact for exam coordination.

After the exam

Remind candidates that they must now apply to AMSA for the issue of their certificate of competency.