Fact Sheet STCW 18
SEAFARER CERTIFICATIONS
Print this page
ORAL EXAMINATIONS
Purpose
To explain AMSA’s procedures for conducting oral
examinations.
AMSA Deck and Engineer Oral Examination, Certificates of
Recognition
Appendix
Syllabus
Background
Appendix 7
Master and Chief Mate (Unlimited);
Master and Chief Mate <3000 GT
AMSA conducts oral examinations to assess a candidate’s
knowledge and skills for issue of a Certificate of Competency,
Certificate of Recognition for foreign seafarers, or for the
revalidation of a Certificate. The oral examination is usually
the last requirement to be passed before an AMSA certificate
is issued.
Appendix 8
Watchkeeper (Deck)
Appendix 9
Engineer Class 1 and Engineer Class 2
Appendix 10
Engineer Watchkeeper
Applicants are required to pass an AMSA oral examination
which is applicable to the level of certificate applied for.
Information for the appropriate certificate is listed below.
Note: AMSA’s oral examination charge must be paid
in full at the time of booking an oral examination.
AMSA will not accept an oral examination booking
without payment. See Fact Sheet STCW 22 Schedule
of Charges for details of the appropriate charge.
Oral examinations syllabus
AMSA Deck Oral Examination Certificates of Competency
Appendix
Syllabus
Appendix 1
Master and Chief Mate
Master and Chief Mate <3000 GT
Appendix 2
Master <500 GT, Mate <500 GT and Master
<24m Foreign Going
Appendix 3
Watchkeeper Deck <500 GT, Watchkeeper
Deck
AMSA Engineer Oral Examination Certificates of Competency
AMSA Deck (Yachts) Oral Examination Certificates of
Competency
Appendix
Syllabus
Appendix 11
Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts) and
Chief Mate <3000 GT (Yachts)
Appendix 12
Master <500 GT (Yachts) and Master <3000
GT (Yachts)
The programs of study listed above are guides only and
the content of individual oral examinations may vary as
the examiner may not cover all areas listed in the syllabus.
The procedure for the conduct of the AMSA oral examination
is contained in Conduct of Oral Examinations.
Scheduling of oral examinations for seafarers
The following weekly schedule applies for deck and
engineer oral examinations and are conducted at the
following AMSA offices:
Brisbane
Tuesday - deck and engineer oral examinations
Wednesday - deck and engineer oral examinations
Darwin
Thursday – engineer watchkeeper (motor) oral
examinations
Devonport Tuesday – engineer/electro-technology officer oral
examinations
Wednesday – deck oral examinations
Fremantle Tuesday – deck and engineer oral examinations
Thursday – deck and engineer oral examinations
Appendix
Syllabus
Appendix 4A
Electro-Technology Officer (ETO)
Appendix 4B
Engineer Watchkeeper
Appendix 5
Engineer Class 2
Newcastle Tuesday – deck oral examinations
Thursday – engineer officer oral examinations
Appendix 6
Engineer Class 1
Sydney
Melbourne Tuesday – deck oral examinations
Wednesday - engineer/electro-technology officer
oral examinations
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - April 2017
Tuesday – engineer oral examinations
Thursday – deck oral examinations
AMSA 1581 (4/17)
Page 1 of 3
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014.
Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 18 - Oral Examinations
Documents required
Candidates wishing to sit an oral examination should
complete application Form AMSA419 and lodge at a
participating Australia Post outlet and before booking
the examination at an AMSA examination centre. The
following documents should accompany the application:
• evidence of qualifying sea service;
• evidence of completing AMSA approved STCW
course(s). Refer to the guidelines on Form AMSA419;
photographic identity (i.e. valid Australian driving
licence or current passport); and
At the time of the oral examination the candidate will
be required to present the following to the AMSA oral
examiner:
• photographic identity (i.e. valid Australian driving
licence or current passport);
• the letter of assessment of eligibility for issue of a
certificate;
• original or certified true copies of documents proving
sea service;
• evidence of payment of fees (if paid at another AMSA
office);
• a current Certificate of Medical Fitness;
• any other supporting documentation that may be
required by AMSA.
• any other items (such as STCW short course
certificates, course completion letters, etc.);
Next steps
• for Engineer Watchkeeper and Electro-Technology
Officer certificate of competency ONLY - Approved
Training Record Book; and
AMSA will then assess the application together with the
accompanying documents.
Note: Candidates should be aware that due to high
workloads AMSA may take a period of time to process
an application. Candidates are therefore advised
that they should submit a complete application,
with all necessary supporting documentation, in
ample time before their chosen oral examination
date. If the application is incomplete or incorrectly
completed then the candidate may expect a delay in
the processing time.
When AMSA has completed the assessment, the applicant
will be provided with a letter of assessment of eligibility for
issue of a certificate, and advised that they may book an
oral examination.
There are charges for oral examinations, and these can be
found on the Schedule of Charges Fact Sheet. The charge
for the oral examination will be calculated automatically at
the time of completing Form AMSA419. The charge must
be paid at the time of booking an oral examination.
• for Certificates of Recognition, the original valid
primary STCW Certificate(s) of Competency (AMSA
will conduct an independent authenticity check of the
primary certificate of competency with the issuing
Administration).
Candidates presenting for oral examinations should leave
all bags and equipment including jackets, laptops, tablets
and phones outside the examination room. No recording
devices are permitted, and if found the consequences
will be serious.
Candidates are reminded that it is a requirement of Marine
Orders 71 (Schedule 4), 72 (Section 9) and 73 (Section 8)
series that they must have a working knowledge of English.
If, during the oral examination, the AMSA examiner
determines that the candidate does not have a level of
English to understand a question asked or does not have
an adequate English vocabulary to answer a question or
understand documents in English, AMSA will not issue
that person a Certificate of Competency or Certificate of
Recognition, as applicable.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - April 2017
AMSA 1581 (4/17)
Page 2 of 3
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014.
Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 18 - Oral Examinations
Contact details of AMSA examination centres
Listed below are the locations around Australia where candidates may sit an oral examination, and the qualifications
services available in that office.
Brisbane
Melbourne
Level 9, 410 Ann Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
The Age Building
Level 3, 655 Collins Street
Docklands, VIC 3008
PO Box 10790
Adelaide Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone (07) 3001 6800
PO Box 16001
Collins St West
Melbourne VIC 8007
Email: [email protected]
Phone (03) 8612 6000
Deck Officer: all sea service assessments and oral
examinations.
Engineer Officer: all sea service assessment and oral
examinations; (up to Class I (Motor) and Engineer Watchkeeper
(Steam)).
Email: [email protected]
Deck Officer: all sea service assessments and oral examinations.
Engineer/ Electro-Technology Officer: all sea service
assessments and oral examinations (up to Class 1 Motor and
Steam)
Darwin
Newcastle
Unit 3B
5 Goyder Road
Parap NT 0820
8 Cowper Street
Carrington NSW 2294
PO Box 38321
Winnellie NT 0821
Phone (08) 8941 3250
PO Box 86
Carrington NSW 2294
Appointments to be made through Sydney office
Engineer Officer: all sea service assessment and oral
examinations; (up to Engineer Watchkeeper (Motor)).
Deck Officer: all sea service assessments and oral
examinations.
Engineer Officer: all sea service assessments and oral
examinations (up to Class I Steam and Motor).
Devonport
Sydney
First Floor
35 Oldaker Street
Devonport TAS 7310
Level 5,
260 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2010
PO Box 260
Devonport TAS 7310
PO Box K976
Sydney NSW 1240
Phone (03) 6424 1597
Phone (02) 8918 1300
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Deck Officer: all sea service assessments and oral
examinations.
Engineer/ Electro-Technology Officer: all sea service
assessment and oral examinations (up to Class I
(Motor) and Engineer Watchkeeper (Steam)).
Deck Officer: all sea service assessments and oral
examinations.
Engineer Officer: all sea service assessment and oral
examinations (up to Class I Steam and Motor).
Email: [email protected]
Fremantle
Level 1 Queensgate Centre
10 William Street
Fremantle WA 6160
PO Box 1332
Fremantle WA 6959
Phone (08) 9430 2100
Email: [email protected]
Deck Officer: all sea service assessments and oral
examinations.
Engineer Officer: all sea service assessments and oral
examinations (up to Class I Motor).
Qualifications Services (i.e. sea service assessments
and oral examinations) are not available at the
following AMSA offices:
• Adelaide
• Cairns
• Gladstone
• Geraldton
• Karratha
• Mackay
• Port Hedland
• Townsville
• Port Kembla
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - April 2017
AMSA 1581 (4/17)
Page 3 of 3
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014.
Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.