Commercial Qualifications     

The Department's Commercial Vessel Safety Branch is the branch responsible for commercial boating activities within Western Australia.
The operation of commercial vessels in Western Australia is governed by the WA Marine Act 1982. Vessels in survey in Western Australia are required to be manned in accordance with Schedule 5 of the WA Marine (Certificates of Competency and Safety Manning) Regulations 1983. The Commercial Vessel Safety Branch provides for the issue of certificates of competency under these Regulations.  http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/.  

Certificates of Competency    

Certificates of Competency are required by law to operate a commercial vessel either as a; Coxswain, Master, Mate, Engine Driver or Engineer. The required certificate of competency is determined by the length, propulsion power, activity and area of operation of the vessel.
Entry level Certificates of Competency are:
  • Coxswain Instructor of a Commercial Ski Boat; 
  • Coxswain Restricted (Less than 8 metres);
  • Coxswain Restricted (Aquaculture);
  • Coxswain;
  • Master Class 5 (Fishing and/ or Trading);
  • Mate Class  4 (Fishing and/ or Trading); and 
  • All engineering certificates. 
If you would like to start a career in the maritime industry in Western Australia you are required to gain sea service by either working on a commercial vessel or documenting experience on a recreational vessel. If you would like to be the Master or Engineer of a vessel there is a progression of Certificates of Competency that can be achieved as you gain more experience.
You will initially need to:
The Department recommends eyesight and medical tests be completed before registering for any courses. The Department will not issue a certificate of competency if minimum standards are not met.
 
The completion of a 'Record of Practical Experience and Sea Service' book (ROPES) will help you to make efficient use of the qualifying time and may provide a sea service concession of up to 50%.
 
Once you have completed the required amount of sea service you will need to have it assessed by the Department, to do this you will need to submit:
You will then need to:
  • Complete the relevant training course with a Department Accredited Registered Training Organisation
  • Submit all other prerequisites e.g. short courses
  • Pass an oral exam with the Department
For a more in-depth look at the prerequisites for a deck or engineering certificate please refer to certificates of competency information sheets.
 

Revalidation  

All Trading certificates of competency and all new Fishing certificates of competency are valid for a maximum period of 5 years.
For the revalidation requirements for all certificates of competency please follow the link to the Revalidation page 

Fishing certificates of competency issued prior to 12 February 2011 are not subject to Revalidation.

You must notify the Department's Commercial Vessel Safety Branch of your change of address or you will not receive a revalidation reminder notice. It is your responsibility to ensure you have met the revalidation requirements prior to the date of the expiry of your certificate of competency.

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Safety Manning Directions    

It is a requirement for all commercial vessels to be manned in accordance with the WA Marine (Certificates of Competency and Safety Manning) Regulations 1983 - Schedule 5. If a manning determination is required an Application for Safety Manning Direction form will need to be fully completed and sent by:

Email: Commercial.Certification@transport.wa.gov.au
or post to:
Certification Section
Commercial Vessel Safety Branch
PO Box 402
FREMANTLE 6956  

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