How do I apply for recognition of a Certificate issued by another authority

If you have a Certificate of Competency, or similar authorisation, issued by the Commonwealth or another State or Territory and wish to work on a commercial vessel in NSW, you do not need to have your certificate recognised by Maritime. Your certificate is automatically recognised and is subject to the same conditions on which it was issued. However, if you cannot comply with the conditions of your interstate or Commonwealth certificate, for example, if the certificate contains a condition that it can only be used on Class 2E vessels in Port Phillip Bay, then you must apply for recognition, see below.

Holders of Certificates of Competency issued in New Zealand may serve as crew on a commercial vessel in NSW, in an equivalent capacity, using their NZ Certificate once they have lodged an application for a NSW Certificate.

Recognition of a Certificate issued by another State/Territory

If you have a Certificate of Competency issued by the Commonwealth or another State/Territory and the conditions of that certificate cannot be complied with when used in NSW, then you must apply for recognition in NSW.

What you need to do:

• Complete a Maritime Application for Marine Certification form;
• Provide proof of your identity;
• Supply two colour passport photos with your name written on the back of the photos;
• Provide your original Certificate of Competency (the certificate must be current, that has not expired); and
• Pay the recognition fee.

You may lodge an application at any Maritime office or mail an application to Marine Certification, Maritime, Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown NSW 1450. An equivalent NSW Certificate of Competency will be sent to you by registered mail. The Certificate will be issued to the expiry date on your interstate certificate. If your interstate certificate is a perpetual certificate, a NSW Certificate of Competency will be issued for five years. You will need to revalidate your NSW Certificate of Competency when it expires.

Recognition of a New Zealand Certificate

If you have a Certificate of Competency issued in New Zealand and wish to work in NSW, you must apply for an equivalent NSW Certificate of Competency. However, you may serve as crew on a commercial vessel in NSW, in an equivalent capacity, using your NZ Certificate once you have lodged an application for a NSW Certificate.

What you need to do:

• Complete a Maritime Application for Marine Certification form;
• Provide proof of your identity;
• Supply two colour passport photos with your name written on the back of the photos;
• Provide your original New Zealand Certificate of Competency (the certificate must be current, that has not expired); and
• Pay the fee for a new certificate of that grade.

You may lodge an application at any Maritime office or mail an application to Marine Certification, Maritime, Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown NSW 1450. An equivalent NSW Certificate of Competency will be sent to you by registered mail. The Certificate will be issued for five years. You will need to revalidate your NSW Certificate of Competency when it expires.

Recognition of an overseas Certificate (other than New Zealand)

If you have a Certificate of Competency issued by an overseas authority (other than New Zealand) and wish to work in NSW, you must apply to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) for recognition /or equivalency of your overseas certificate. An AMSA certificate or recognition is automatically recognised in NSW and is subject to the same conditions on which it was issued. If the conditions of the AMSA certificate or recognition cannot be complied with when used in NSW, then you must apply for recognition in NSW.

What you need to do:

• Complete a Maritime Application for Marine Certification form;
• Provide proof of your identity;
• Supply two colour passport photos with your name written on the back of the photos;
• Provide the AMSA Certificate of Competency or Recognition (the certificate must be current, that is not have expired); and
• Pay the recognition fee.

You may lodge an application at any Maritime office or mail an application to Marine Certification, Maritime, Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown NSW 1450. A letter will be issued recognising your overseas certificate for use in NSW until the expiry date of your overseas certificate. If your overseas certificate has been issued in perpetuity, it will be recognised in NSW for five years.

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.

Additional links

How do I apply for Recognition of a Yachtmaster Certificate