Perpetual certificates and domestic certificates that expired more than 5 years ago

Perpetual certificates of competency

Perpetual certificates of competency were issued by state and territory marine safety agencies with no expiry date.

AMSA recognises these certificates under the National Law, which allow the holder to continue to operate with the same conditions or restrictions imposed by the state or territory.  

Certificates of competency that expired more than 5 years ago

This refers to a certificate of competency issued by either a state or territory marine safety agency or AMSA, with an expiry date of more than 5 years ago. 

If your AMSA certificate of competency expired less than 5 years ago, you can renew your certificate using AMSA form 426. (When completing the form, select ‘renew an expired or expiring certificate of competency I hold at this level’.)  

When to apply for a National Law domestic certificate of competency

There are several reasons why you may need to apply for a National Law certificate:

• the state or territory where you want to work may not recognise your perpetual certificate
• your employer may require a National Law certificate
• you want to work in another industry where perpetual certificates do not apply
• your certificate has expired.

AMSA will recognise perpetual or >5 years expired certificates as equivalent to the corresponding National Law certificate, but they have a different application process to other certificates.

Note: You do not need to surrender your perpetual certificate if you are issued with a National Law certificate.

How to apply

1. Before you begin

You will need to gather the following required documents:

• proof of identity (learn which documents you can use for ID) 
• a completed Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
• a copy of your expired or perpetual certificate of competency
• a valid HLTAID011 first aid certificate or equivalent.

If you are applying for a Coxswain Grade 1 NC, Master <24m NC, Master <45m NC or Master <100 m NC you will also need a copy of your current marine radio certificate.

2. Complete the application form

Complete the certificate of competency application form (AMSA form 426).

Apply for a National Law certificate

• Under 'Certificate of competency type' (on AMSA form 426) use the list of corresponding National Law certificates below to select the right one.
• In answer to the question 'What would you like to do?' select ‘Request an equivalent for my STCW or state/territory certificate'. 

Corresponding National Law certificates

Certificate issued by a State or the Northern Territory	National Law Certificate of competency
General Purpose Hand	General Purpose Hand NC
Coxswain Inland Waters	Coxswain Grade 2 NC
Coxswain  Coxswain (restricted to sheltered waters) Coxswain (restricted to outboard propulsion power)	Coxswain Grade 1 NC
Master Class 5 (restricted to inland waters)  Master Class 4 (restricted to inland waters)	Master (Inland waters) NC
Master Class 5  Skipper Grade 3  Master Class V (Trading)   Master Class V (Fishing)  Master Class 5 (Trading and Fishing) Master Class 5 (restricted to smooth waters)   Mate Class 4  Mate Class IV (Fishing)   Mate Class IV (Trading)	Master <24 m NC
Master Class 4  Skipper Grade 2 Master Class 4 (restricted to smooth waters)   Master Class IV (Trading)  Master Class IV (Fishing)	Master <45 m NC
Master Class 3  Skipper Grade 1  Master Class III (Trading)  Master Class III (Fishing)	Master <100 m NC
Marine Engine Driver Grade 3	Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 NC
Marine Engine Driver Grade 2	Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC
Marine Engine Driver Grade 1	Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC
Engineer Class 3	Engineer Class 3 NC

3. Submit your documents and application form

Take your ID, your completed application form and copies of the required documents to a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to pay an application fee.

After you have submitted your application

We will send you an email to confirm that we have received your application and request proof of sea service (if required). Expand the following box to check what sea service you require (if any). 

Requirements for sea service

Sea service for perpetual certificates

Certificate of competency	No. of sea service days required in the last 5 years
Engineer Class 3 Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC Master <45m NC Master <100m NC	120
Coxswain Grade 1 NC   Coxswain Grade 2 NC General Purpose Hand NC Master <24m NC Master (inland waters) NC Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 NC	Not required

Sea service for state or territory, or AMSA-issued certificates expired >5 years ago

Certificate of competency	No. of sea service days required in the last 5 years
Coxswain Grade 1 NC   Engineer Class 3 Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC Master (inland waters) NC Master <24m NC Master <45m NC Master <100m NC	120
Coxswain Grade 2 NC Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 NC	50
General Purpose Hand NC	5

Other options to meet sea service requirements

If you cannot provide the required number of sea service days, we may be able to accept the following alternatives:  

• 60 days sea service in the last 6 months (instead of the 120 days in the past 5 years)
• completion of a task book  
• completion of a final assessment (an AMSA mandated practical assessment (AMPA) or an oral examination)  
• other approved industry experience.  

Note: You may be able to save time by including your proof of sea service documents when you submit your application.

Contact us

If you need help completing or submitting your application for a National Law certificate, or if you can't get to an Australia Post outlet, please contact us.