If you hold valid foreign seafarer qualifications under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), and you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a current Australian work visa you can apply for a Certificate of recognition. A Certificate of recognition allows you to work in Australia without having to complete some or all of the required courses because it recognises the skills you already have.
A Certificate of recognition will be valid for the same period as the primary certificate.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for a Certificate of recognition you must come from an eligible country, and you must meet medical, sea service and course requirements. Read Country eligibility for Certificates of recognition.
Important disclaimer
These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 , Marine Order 71 (Master and deck officers) 2023, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 , Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014 and Marine Order 74 (Master and deck officers – yachts) 2015 . Please refer to these marine orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications. If you need formal assessment for a qualification, you must apply in writing to us using Seafarer form 419. We will not process any applications that do not include all required documents in their original form, or are true certified copies. If you have forgotten to provide any documents, or have not provided originals or certified copies, you may need to pay a new application charge.
What do I need to do?
To obtain this certificate, you need to:
- Prove your citizenship
Provide formal evidence of one of the following:
- your status as an Australian citizen
- your status as a permanent resident of Australia
- current visa permitting you to work in Australia.
Provide a certified, true copy of your valid passport.
- Provide current certificates
Provide a copy of your primary certificate, and evidence that you have completed the following courses:
- Medical first aid or Medical care (Masters and Chief mates only)
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats
- Advanced fire fighting
- Security awareness/Ship security officer.
- Provide evidence of sea service
Check that you have proof of specified qualifying sea service for the qualification you want to obtain. Read more about sea service.
- Check agreements
Check the country that has issued your primary certificate against the list above to ensure that Australia has an agreement in place with that country. Your primary certificate must also be current.
- Provide proof of medical fitness
Prior to the issue of a Certificate of recognition you must obtain a Certificate of medical fitness in Australia. As per Marine Order 76 (Health—medical fitness) 2017 you can only perform the duties of a seafarer on a relevant vessel if you are medically fit to perform those duties.
The medical examination can be organised by contacting Sonic HealthPlus. We strongly recommend that you complete the medical examination before you commence training to ensure that you are medically fit for a seagoing career.
To book a medical examination, you can:
- Call toll free: 1300 763 822
- Email: seafarermedicals@sonichealthplus.com.au
Read more about medical fitness.
- How to apply
You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419.
Lodge from within Australia
You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet.
You will need to pay the fees for your application at the post office at the time of lodgement.
Lodge from overseas
You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents including a colour passport-style photograph and send the paperwork to us by email to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au.
When we receive your email we will let you know how to pay the fee for your application via AMSA online portal.
- Pass a final assessment
Once you have been assessed and issued with an assessment letter you will need to book and successfully pass an oral examination. Read more about booking an oral examination.
How to revalidate a Certificate of recognition
To revalidate your certificate of recognition, you need to start by revalidating your primary certificate of competency. You must show us evidence that you have completed the same requirements as an Australian certificate of competency. You can then submit an application using Seafarer form 419.