Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)



Engineering qualifications for RAN seaman officers and ratings

How to get a engineering qualifications recognized if you are a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) seaman officer.

When you apply for a sea service assessment you must also supply a letter and sufficient documents, which may include PMKeyS printouts, Fleet activity schedules and Fleet generation plans from the RAN explaining their employment detail in terms of watchkeeping on main propulsion or auxiliary machinery, day-work maintenance, or others. The list of required documents will be listed on the checklist generated on the Seafarer form 419.

We have assessed the following RAN service and qualifications as suitable for entry into the appropriate certificate of competency oral assessment. The RAN has converted all of its previously recognised certificates—for example machinery charge certificates—into the relevant certificates named in the information noted below. If you have documents in the old style RAN nomenclature/terminology you should apply to the RAN for assessment of their qualifications and re-classification into the new RAN nomenclature/terminology.

Engineer watchkeeper requirements

For issue of an Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency you are required to:

Applicant will also need to pass an oral examination before being issued a certificate.

Engineer class 2 requirements

For issue of an Engineer class 2 certificate of competency you are required to:

You will also need to pass an oral examination before being issued a certificate.

Engineer class 1 requirements

For issue of an Engineer class 1 certificate of competency an applicant is required to meet the requirements of Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 as follows:

You will also need to pass an oral examination before being issued a certificate.

Electro technical officer (ETO) Certificate of competency 2 requirements

For issue of an ETO certificate of competency a RAN applicant is required to meet the requirements detailed in Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014, which may be completed during relevant RAN service and training, on board appropriate RAN vessels and:

Qualifying sea service

Qualifying sea service that is documented in the RAN is counted in full as engineering sailor in engineering department.

Qualifying sea service must have been accrued on ships using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate of competency relates. Service on gas turbine ships will count in full towards the total required qualifying sea service for the following:

RAN sea service on day work may count to the same quantity as allowed for in Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, and Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014. However the service must be related to engine room duties.

We will recognise RAN qualifications as qualifying sea service towards an Engineer certificate of competency.

Once you have gained entry into the AMSA certificate structure by obtaining an AMSA Certificate of competency, all sea service for future certificates commences from that time (previous sea service does not count for additional certificates at a later date).

Last updated: 1 July 2024