How do I apply for a Certificate of Competency

To work as a crew member on a commercial vessel you must have a Certificate of Competency.
What you need to do:

• Complete a NSW Maritime Application for Marine Certification form;
• Provide proof of your identity;
• Supply two colour passport photos;
• Meet minimum age requirements;
• Meet minimum sea service requirements (recreational boating experience can help gain a Coxswain, Master Class 5 or MED Grade 3 certificate);
• Complete an approved training course;
• Provide a current approved first aid certificate (senior first aid certificate, Apply first aid (HLTFA301B); Apply advanced first aid (HLTFA402B) or Manage first aid in the workplace (HLTFA403A))
• Meet specific medical and eyesight standards;
• Pass a final assessment by a NSW Maritime examiner; and
• Pay fees.

You may lodge an application at any NSW Maritime office or mail an application to Marine Certification, NSW Maritime, Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown NSW 1450. Your Certificate will be sent to you by registered mail.

As strict medical and eyesight standards apply, it is advisable to check that you meet these standards before undertaking training courses or accruing sea time for a maritime career.

Reduced sea time requirements for entry level certificates

Reduced sea time requirements have been introduced for coxswain, Master Class 5 and Skipper Grade 3 certificates of competency.

Details of reduced sea time requirements

Ongoing medical and first aid requirements

It is a condition of every Certificate of Competency that you must hold a current first aid certificate and a current certificate of medical fitness that certifies you meet required medical and eyesight standards.  It is an offence not to hold a current first aid certificate and a current certificate of medical fitness.  (Note: Transitional provisions from the Marine Safety (Commercial Vessels) Regulation 2010 exempt holders of certificates of competency from this requirement until 1 January 2012.) 

A first aid certificate is valid for 3 years.

A medical certificate is valid for 2 years, unless a shorter period is specified on the certificate.

The requirements for first aid certificates are specified above and requirements for medical certificates can be found in the Application for Marine Certification form. 

Evidence of sea service:

You must provide evidence that you meet the minimum levels of sea service for the grade of Certificate you want. Sea service must be relevant to the tasks and competencies of the level of Certificate being sought.

The following documents may be used to demonstrate sea service:

• A NSW Maritime Record of Service book, a ROPES book or a Record of Service book issued by another maritime authority; relevant training courses and sea service with the Australian Defence Force - entries must be certified by either the vessel owner, owner’s representative, master of the vessel, engineer of the vessel or another member of crew in a supervisory role;
• A Training Record book issued by an approved competency based training course involving structured on the job training- entries must be certified by either the vessel owner, owner’s representative, master of the vessel, engineer of the vessel, another member of crew in a supervisory role or the trainer;
• Letters from vessel owners, masters, engineers, or other crew members in a supervisory capacity or employers.  Letters must be on business letterhead, identify the applicant and provide details of the vessel (name, number and size), area of operation (detailing any service beyond sheltered waters and the distance travelled offshore), engine details, duties performed and days and hours of service;
• Watchkeeping certificates;
• Vessel logs or rosters listing you as crew;
• Dive log books;
• Fisheries catch documents;
• Group Certificates or pay records; or
• Other documentary evidence that will support your application.

Relevant sea service:

Sea service must be relevant to the tasks and competencies of the level of Certificate being sought. 
For a coxswain Certificate relevant experience includes:

• Steering and navigating a vessel up to 24 m in length;
• Vessel handling and manoeuvring, particularly anchoring and mooring, berthing and unberthing;
• Loading a vessel;
• Maintaining watertight integrity and stability;
• Using ropes, tending mooring lines;
• Managing passengers and crew;
• Using safety equipment; and
• Performing maintenance of vessel equipment and structure.

For an engineering qualification relevant experience includes:

• Starting, operating, checking and shutting down machinery; and
• Servicing and maintaining propulsion and auxiliary machinery.

For a Master 4 Certificate relevant experience is watchkeeping service, that is, service in charge of a navigation watch.

Evidence of recreational sea service:

Recreational sea service may be taken into account for the issue of Certificates of Competency for Coxswain, Master Class 5 and Marine Engine Driver Grade 3.  For all other Certificates of Competency, all qualifying sea service must be commercial sea service.
Recreational sea service must directly relate to the navigation, seamanship or engineering functions of the vessel and the level of certification sought. 

In addition to the documents listed above evidence of recreational sea service may include:

• Yachting Australia log books;
• Log books or diaries;
• Letters from representatives of yacht clubs, fishing clubs, voluntary marine organisations etc that are in a position to support the claimed sea service. Letters must be on business letterhead and provide details of the amount of sea service, vessel details and any other evidence to support your application.

Assessment of sea service:

You will provide an estimate of your sea service in both hours and days in your NSW Maritime Application for Marine Certification form.  These estimates are converted to months of service.  NSW Maritime uses the following standard definitions:

• a working day is 7.5 hours;
• a working week is 5 days or 37.5 hours accrued over 5 days;
• a working month is 4 weeks or 20 days or 150 hours accrued over 20 days; and
• a working year is 48 weeks or 240 days or 1800 hours accrued over 240 days.

The maximum number of hours that may be claimed in a day is 12 hours.  Any service over 12 hours per day will not be counted. 
The required months of service must be met when both hours and days of service are converted to months.

I previously held a Certificate of Competency

If you are applying for a new Certificate of the same grade, and it is within 12 months of the date of cancellation of the previous Certificate, you do not need to complete an approved course or pass a NSW Maritime assessment. In addition, you are only required to meet the sea service required for revalidation of that grade of Certificate.

Application for a Certificate of Competency

For further information please contact the NSW Marine Certification section on (02) 9563 8769 or your local NSW Maritime office.