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AMSA Domestic Deck Tickets (Certificate of Competency) Requirements

AMSA Deck Certification Requirements for Seafarers on a Commercial Vessel & Sailing Vessel in Australian Domestic Waters

amsa domestic qualifications

The National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety was introduced in Australia in 2013 under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (National Law). The National Law applies to the domestic commercial vessel fleet operating in Australian waters across all States and Territories. Under the National Law, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the National Regulator.

If you want to work on a commercial vessel in Australian waters, you must hold an appropriate certificate of competency issued under the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety. By law, any person working as a certified crew member on a commercial vessel in Australia must hold the relevant certificate of competency. This ensures that people operating commercial vessels are competent and medically fit for their assigned tasks and areas of operation.

You must get a Certificate of Competency or revalidate your existing qualification to work in Australian domestic waters.

australia domestic license

If you want to work on a commercial vessel in Australian waters, you must hold an appropriate certificate of competency issued under the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety.

General Requirements - AMSA Domestic Deck Certificate of Competency

  • Age: Must be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
  • Medical: If you're applying for a high complexity certificate of competency, you are required to submit a Certificate of medical fitness for a near coastal qualification form 559.
  • Eyesight: If you're applying for a new certificate of competency, you'll need to submit a completed Eyesight test certificate form 542. There are two components of the eyesight test - vision (near and distance) and colour vision.
  • Sea Service: Record of sea service form 771, OR an approved sea service log book, OR the on board sea service record from your task book,OR a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service. At least half the sea service must have been seaward of sheltered waters or the applicant may be issued with a certificate that is restricted to sheltered waters.
  • Course Requirements: You need to get training from an AMSA approved training organization.
  • After meeting all the other requirements for the certificate - pass a final assessment.

Master Less Than 24 Metres Near Coastal Requirements

  • Certification: This certificate will allow you to work as - Master on commercial vessels up to 24 metres long within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ); Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 45 metres long within the EEZ; Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 100 metres long in inshore water; and Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC and Master (Inland waters) NC.
  • The applicant must have completed a Master <24 m course at Certificate 3 level; and a valid HLTAID011 first aid certificate, or equivalent & Long range operator certificate of proficiency, or equivalent.

Master <24 m NC Sea Service Requirements

  • You need to show you have experience working at sea in a deck, or deck and engineering capacity.
  • With a completed AMSA task book you will need - 120 days of sea service on commercial vessels at least 7.5 metres long
  • Without an AMSA task book you will need - 360 days of sea service on vessels at least 7.5 metres long; At least half on commercial vessels; and Up to half on recreational vessels

Master (Inland Waters) Requirements

  • Certification: This qualification lets you command a commercial vessel up to 45 metres long in inland waters. This certificate will allow you to work as - Master on commercial vessels up to 45 metres long in inland waters; and Work as a General Purpose Hand NC
  • Have completed a Master (Inland waters) course at Certificate 3 level  and you must also hold a valid HLTAID011 first aid certificate, or equivalent.

Master (Inland Waters) Sea service Requirements

  • With a completed AMSA task book you will need - 60 days of sea service working in any deck capacity on commercial vessels at least 7.5 metres long.
  • Without a completed AMSA task book you will need - 120 days of sea service working in a deck, or deck and engineering capacity on commercial or recreational vessels at least 7.5 metres long.

Master Less Than 35 Metres Near Coastal Requirements

  • This certificate of competency was phased out and replaced by the Master <45m certificate
  • Beginning Jan 1, 2023 seafarers who previously held a Master <35m certificate were automatically able to do the job of a Master <45m till the time of renewal. They will be issued with a certificate of competency for Master <45m upon renewal.

Master Less Than 45 Metres Near Coastal Requirements

  • Certification: With this certificate you can - Command a vessel <45 m long within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); Command a vessel <100 m and <3000 GT in inshore waters; Act as Chief Mate or deck watchkeeper on a vessel <100 m and <3000 GT within the EEZ; and Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC.
  • Have completed a Master <35 m course at Certificate 4 level; hold a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, or higher qualification, or an equivalent qualification approved by the National Regulator.

Master <45 m NC Sea Service Requirements

  • While holding a Master <24 NC or a Mate <80m NC CoC:
    • Have 180 days qualifying sea service on commercial vessels ≥12 m long, including 120 days as person in charge of a Navigational watch, and a completed approved task book; OR
    • Have 360 days qualifying sea service on commercial vessels ≥12 m long, including 240 days as person in charge of a navigational watch.

Mate Less Than 80 Metres Near Coastal Requirements

Master Less Than 80 Metres Near Coastal Requirements

  • This certificate of competency was phased out and replaced by the Master <100m certificate. (See below)

Master Less Than 100 Metres Near Coastal Requirements

  • Certification: This qualification lets you - Command a vessel < 100 m long and < 3000 GT within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and; Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC, Master <24 m NC and Master < 45 m NC within the EEZ.
  • Have completed a Master <80m course at Diploma level; and hold a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency.

Master <100 m NC Sea Service Requirements

  • Have at least - while holding a Master <45m NC certificate - 180 days qualifying sea service on commercial vessels ≥24 m long including 120 days as person in charge of a navigational watch, and a completed approved task book; OR
  • While holding a Mate <80m NC or other non-command certificate - 360 days as officer of the watch on commercial vessels ≥24 m long and a completed approved task book; OR
  • While holding a Mate <80m NC or other non-command certificate - 720 days as officer of the watch on commercial vessels ≥24 m long.

Sailing Master Coastal Near Coastal (NC) Requirements

  • Certification: Command, and operate the engines, of a sailing vessel <24 m long with propulsion power <100 kW; and in inshore waters; Act as Chief mate or deck watchkeeper of a sailing vessel <45 m long in inshore waters; Operate a tender - for the vessel under the command of the master and with propulsion power <100 kW; and Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC

Sailing Master Coastal NC Other Requirements

  • Commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Coastal certificate; Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP) issued by the Office of maritime Communication (or higher certificate) AND
  • Any one of the following - Coxswain Grade 1 NC CoC; Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 CoC; MAR Maritime Training Package MARC037 Operate inboard and outboard motors, or a course developed as part of the MAR Maritime Training Package to cover the same skills; RYA Diesel Engine course and the Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course; OR The RYA Diesel Engine course and the  RYA level 2 Powerboat course.

Sailing Master Offshore Near Coastal (NC) Requirements

  • Certification: The holder of this certificate can - Command, and operate the engines, of a sailing vessel <24m long in waters to the outer limits of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with propulsion power <100 kW; and with no more than 12 passengers if outside inshore waters; Act as Chief mate or deck watchkeeper of a sailing vessel <45 m long in waters to the outer limits of the EEZ; Operate a tender - for the vessel under the command of the master and with propulsion power <100 kW; and Undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC

Sailing Master Offshore NC Other Requirements

  • Commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Yachtmaster Ocean certificate; Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) issued by the Office of Maritime Communication (or higher certificate) AND
  • Any one of the following - Coxswain Grade 1 NC CoC; Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 CoC; MAR Maritime Training Package MARC037 Operate inboard and outboard motors, or a unit developed as part of the MAR Maritime Training Package to cover the same skills; RYA Diesel Engine course and the Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling course; OR the RYA Diesel Engine course and the RYA level 2 Powerboat course