The certification of mariners is a statutory function administered by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department has in place arrangements to provide examinations at various locations throughout the State for applicants wishing to obtain a certificate of competency.
Candidates are required to enrol with a Department for Planning and Infrastructure accredited Registered Training Organization [RTO]. They must attend courses in order to attempt the main written examinations. Candidates must also meet the prerequisite eyesight, medical and service requirements, as well as complete certain statutory short courses. The Department plays an active role in the development of accredited courses through participation on various industry training panels and the registration of training providers.
Service on vessels may be submitted for assessment prior to enrolling with a RTO to verify eligibility of performed service towards the certificate level. The written component of the examinations are valid for a five year period and Candidates short on service time will have to obtain service time by return to industry. A booking for an oral examination with an appointed examiner from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure may be made once the prerequisites outlined in the above paragraph are met. An application for examination shall be made in writing at an office of the Department where examinations are conducted not less than 10 working days before the date on which the examination is to be conducted and shall be accompanied by:
- proof of age;
- proof of qualifying service properly recorded in a Record of Service Book and any other relevant prerequisites specified;
- proof of medical fitness, including minimum eye sight as required;
- any other documents required in relation to the examination; and
- pay the applicable application fee.
Candidates are advised to submit their applications well ahead of time for assessment of service to enable them appear for an oral examination. The Department's Examinations Officers receiving submissions for assessment of service are trained in their function to be conversant on requirements of documents and information contained in submissions to enable a proper assessment of service to be made by the Department. In certain instances Candidates may be required to provide additional information to those published below. Incomplete submissions will be declined and returned. The Candidate then has to resubmit with any additional documents as required for acceptance of the submission for assessment of service.
The Department is unable to assess service on vessels operating on waters other than WA. Documents would need to be submitted to the relevant marine Department or Authority of the State or Territory outside of WA. Assessment of service issued by another State or Territory obtained 12 months preceding an application may be acceptable when booking for an oral examination. Successful candidates at the orals examinations subject to all other requirements having met may then be issued a certificate of competency, relevant to the experience and training undertaken.
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General requirements and operational duties
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure has prepared pamphlets on the general requirements and operational duties for each of the the following Certificates of Competency:
Master / deck qualifications
- Coxwain
- Coxwain restricted to 8 metres
- Coxwain restricted to aquaculture
- Master class 3
- Master class 4
- Master class 5
- Mate class 4
Engineer qualifications
- Engineer class 3
- Marine engine driver grade 1
- Marine engine driver grade 2
View pamphlets.
To apply to obtain these qualifications, you need to provide:
- proof of age; acceptable photographic identification eg passport, drivers licence etc;
- proof of qualifying service properly recorded in a Record of Service Book and any other relevant prerequisites specified;
- proof of medical fitness, including minimum eye sight as required;
- any other documents required in relation to the examination eg. Certificates of prerequisite short courses, Confirmation of pass in written examinations, etc;
- two passport size colour photos;
- payment of the applicable application fee
and to successfully complete an oral examination conducted by a DPI examiner.
The following forms are available online:
- Eyesight form
- Medical form
- Statutory declaration
- Watchkleeping form
View forms.
Record of sea service
You will need to maintain a Record of Sea Service book which is used to record the marine experience you need to qualify for Certificates of Competency. It can be obtained through any of the following Department for Planning and Infrastructure offices.
