Recognition of Certificates of Competency

Western Australian issued Certificates of Competency used Interstate and Overseas    

Interstate

If you hold a Western Australian Marine Act 1982 certificate of competency and want to work in another Australian State or Territory you should check with that state or territory's marine authority for Mutual Recognition of the Western Australian certificate of competency. To check your equivalent certificate of competency go to www.licencerecognition.gov.au

Overseas

STCW is the International Convention for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which sets down a minimum standard of training and certification. Apply to your nearest Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) office for details.

The only state issued certificates of competency which attract an STCW endorsement are:

  • Marine Engine Driver Grade 1; and 
  • Marine Engineer Class 3.

The Department will review the training undertaken to obtain your engineering certificate of competency and advise if any further training is required to comply with AMSA requirements. When all training requirements have been met, you will be provided with a letter which you will be required to provide to AMSA. NOTE: This process will only be conducted for Western Australian issued certificates of competency.

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Acceptance of Interstate Certificates of Competency for Operations within Western Australia   

WA Marine (Certificates of Competency and Safety Manning) Regulations 1983 Regulation 13 and the Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Act 2001 - relates to Mutual Recognition of all Australian Marine Certificates of Competency.
The Applicant is required to:

  • Present their current Certificate of Competency/s 

  • Complete a Mutual Recognition Application form for each certificate;

  • Pay the appropriate fee for each mutual recognition.

If your certificate is listed on http://www.licencerecognition.gov.au you will be issued the equivalent certificate of competency.

If your certificate is restricted in any way the Department will assess your application according to the Ministerial Declaration.

The Department will then conduct checks with the issuing state to ensure that the certificate is valid and issued under the Uniform Shipping Laws Code or National Standards for Commercial Vessels Part D.
Once approved The Department will issue the applicant a Western Australian Certificate of Competency. The new certificate will reflect the expiry date of the original certificate of competency and any restrictions as applicable.

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Acceptance of Overseas (Foreign) Marine Qualifications for Operations within Western Australia   

Certificates of Competency issued by Marine Authorities overseas may be accepted for operations within Western Australia provided the training requirements and the sea service requirements meet the WA Marine Act 1982.

To be accepted for operations within Western Australia your original Certificate of Competency must be current and issued under the STCW Convention (apart from New Zealand certificates of competency).

The certificate of competency must be presented to the Department of Transport's Marine Safety office, 1 Essex Street, Fremantle. Checks will be conducted with the issuing country to make sure that your original certificate is valid, and has not been suspended or cancelled.
You need to provide:

Once this process is completed you will be issued with a Letter of Acceptance for operations in Western Australia. The letter will only be valid to the date of expiry of your original Certificate of Competency.

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Acceptance of New Zealand Marine Qualifications for Operations within Western Australia   

WA Marine (Certificates of Competency and Safety Manning) Regulations 1983 Regulation 13 and the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Act 2007 - relates to Mutual Recognition of New Zealand Certificates of Competency.
The Applicant is required to:

  • Present their current Certificate of Competency/s to the Department.

  • Complete a Mutual Recognition NZ Application form for each certificate;

  • Pay the appropriate fee for each mutual recognition.

The Department will then conduct checks with Maritime New Zealand to ensure that the certificate is valid and issued under the relevant legislation. Once approved the applicant will be required to sit a local knowledge test covering Western Australian Legislation, local weather patterns, emergency procedures, local tides and communications.

If successful in the local knowledge test the Department will issue the applicant a Western Australian Certificate of Competency.

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Recognition of Military Qualifications and Sea Service    

If you have gained a marine qualifications while serving in the military you may have your qualifications recognised under the state system.
To do this you are required to:

  • present your documented sea service transcribed on to the required Military Sea Service form; 
  • present your military qualifications to a Department Registered Training Organisation for recognition toward the course for the certificate of competency being sought.  You may be required to complete additional units; and
  • all the prerequisites for the certificate listed in the certificates of competency information sheet must be met.

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Pre Regulation Certificates of Competency (PRE USL Code)      

Certificates of competency that were originally issued before 1983 may still be current for operations in Western Australia if they have been recognised under the current Regulations.
NOTE: For information on the upgrade from a Pre-Regulation (pre - 1983) issued certificate of competency contact the Department.

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