About the Australian Maritime Safety Authority

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is a largely self-funded government agency with the charter of enhancing efficiency in the delivery of safety and other services to the Australian maritime industry.

Mission statement

AMSA is committed to continuous improvement in provision of its safety and environment protection services and maintaining constructive relations with our stakeholders in government, industry and the community.

Vision

To be a respected world leading regulator and provider of maritime safety, marine environment protection and pollution response and maritime and aviation search and rescue.

Immigration Qualification Assessments

General

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) assesses overseas marine qualifications against the eligibility criteria for a Certificate of Recognition as prescribed in Marine Orders Part 3 – Seagoing Qualifications, for the purpose of skilled migration applications to Australia. AMSA carries out qualifications assessments for persons holding overseas qualifications as Engineer Officer, Master or Deck Officer, wishing to immigrate to Australia. The occupations that AMSA is authorised to assess are as follows:

• Seafarer - Ship's Engineer (ANZCO Code 231212)
• Seafarer - Ship's Master (ANZCO Code 231213)
• Seafarer - Ship's Officer (ANZCO Code 231214)

Please note: It is a requirement of the STCW Convention and AMSA, that in order for a country to recognise another country's seafarer qualifications there must be an agreement in place between those two countries. Applicants applying for a qualifications assessment for immigration purposes should note:

• Their initial application must be in writing using the appropriate AMSA form 12 [ PDF: 89Kb]. Emailed applications or documents are not acceptable.
• All documents must be certified/notarised copies of originals and if not in English an official translation must be provided with the application and must include a certified copy of your passport, as proof of identity, and all documents specified under the Deck and Engineer section below.
• With the exception of original letters from the company specified in the Deck and Engineer section below, AMSA strongly advises applicants not to send original documents for assessment, however they must bring with them all original documents when appearing for the AMSA oral examination which will be to the appropriate grade of certificate and include knowledge of Australian maritime legislation.
• AMSA also advises applicants to carefully read all documentation relating to Australian immigration requirements/arrangements published by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship prior to application.
• Applicants should also be aware that possession of an Australian seafarer qualification is no guarantee of employment within the Australian maritime industry.

If your application meets the initial requirements for an immigration qualifications assessment, this means that you meet the requirements for the issue of a Certificate of Recognition the applicant will receive a letter specifying they need to travel to Australia under a tourist visa to take the AMSA oral examination and also obtain a Certificate of Medical Fitness issued by an AMSA approved Medical Inspector of Seamen.

Note:A Certificate of Recognition will not be issued by AMSA until the applicant has satisfied the following:

• provide evidence of Australian permanent residency or citizenship;
• complied with all the requirements of Marine Orders Part 3, Seagoing Qualifications;
• holds a current Certificate of Medical Fitness issued by an AMSA approved Medical Inspector of Seamen, and
• has passed an AMSA oral examination, which will be to the appropriate grade of certificate and include knowledge of Australian maritime legislation.

Completed applications for a qualifications assessment are to be sent to:

Ship Operations and Qualifications
Maritime Operations Division,
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
CANBERRA, ACT 2601
Australia

Deck Certificates

Specific documents required for an initial application for a Master or Deck Officer qualification assessment include:

• Certified copies of overseas STCW 78, as amended, Certificate of Competency and GMDSS General Operators Certificate (include all pages);
• Certified copies of either discharge book pages or watch-keeping certificates;
• Original letters from the shipping company (not ship) on company letterhead, verifying the sea service. The letter(s) must state the ship's name, IMO number and Gross Tonnage, the position the applicant held on board and the date when the applicant joined and departed the ship, and
• Certified copies of course completion certificates of practical training ashore including short courses/specialist training appropriate to the grade and sub grade of certificate held.

Engineer Certificates

Specific documents required for an initial application for an Engineer Officer qualification assessment include:

• Certified copies of overseas STCW 78, as amended, Certificate of Competency (include all pages);
• Certified copies of either discharge book pages or sea service testimonials;
• Original letters from the shipping company (not ship) on company letterhead, verifying the sea service. The letter(s) must state the ship's name, IMO number and main engine power (kW), the position the applicant held on board and the date when the applicant joined and departed the ship,
• Certified copies of course completion certificates of practical training ashore including short courses/specialist training appropriate to the grade and sub grade of certificate held, and
• Certified copies demonstrating evidence of practical training equivalent to that required for an Australian engineer certificate of competency.

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