There are no direct equivalent Australian domestic near coastal certificates for any of the New Zealand national certificates. Instead, you will be issued a letter of recognition which recognises your capacities, endorsements and limitations.

You can be issued a letter of recognition in Australia for the following New Zealand national certificates:

• Master yacht less than 24 metres
• Marine engineer class 4
• Marine engineer class 5
• Marine engineer class 5—steam
• Marine engineer class 5—steam and motor
• Marine engineer class 6
• Qualified deck crew
• Skipper coastal/offshore
• Skipper restricted limits
• Watchkeeper deck on ships less than 500 gross tonnage in the near coastal area

Refrigerant handling license

The holder of a New Zealand national certificate of competency as marine engineer or an Australian domestic certificate of competency as marine engineer is not deemed to hold a Refrigerant handling license (RHL). 

It is the responsibility of the holders of these certificates to determine if a RHL is required.

The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 require that a person must not handle refrigerant unless he or she holds a RHL.

Various types of RHL are available and administered by the Australian Refrigerant Council.