Commercial Qualifications
Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Marine Safety is the regulatory authority responsible for boating activities both recreational and commercial within Western Australian navigable waters.The guidelines for the certification of mariners is a national standard that is derived from the Uniform Shipping Laws Code (USL Code).
The USL code provides standards for the design, construction and operation of domestic commercial vessels. The Code was first published in 1979 in response to the need for a common national safety standard for commercial vessels. It is this standard that the Department uses as the framework for commercial qualifications and crewing requirements in conjunction with the WA Marine Act 1982 and the WA Marine (Certificates of Competency and Safety Manning) Regulations 1983, www.slp.wa.gov.au.
Certificates of Competency
Certificates of Competency are required by law to take responsibility for duties on board a commercial vessel as Coxswain, Master, Mate or Engineer. The required certificate of competency is determined by the length, propulsion power and area of operation of the vessel.
Entry level Certificates of Competency are:
- Coxswain Restricted (Less than 8 meters);
- Coxswain Restricted (Aquaculture);
- Coxswain;
- Master Class 5 (Fishing and/ or Trading);
- Mate 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 experience by working on commercial trading or fishing vessels. You can gain experience by working as a deck hand or general purpose hand. 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:
- gain experience by working as a general purpose hand or a deckhand on a commercial trading or fishing vessel;
- you should record your duties and time spent at sea while you are gaining your experience in a Record of Sea Service book;
- meet the minimum age requirement; and
- make sure you have passed the required Eyesight Tests and met the required medical standard.
DPI recommends eyesight and medical tests be completed before registering for any courses. DPI may 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 and your sea service has been assessed by DPI, Marine Safety you are then required to:
- complete an approved training course for the Certificate of Competency with a DPI Registered Training Organisation;
- complete an application for certificate of competency with DPI, Marine Safety all prerequisites must be provided with application;
- pay the required fees; and
- book and pass oral examination with the Department.
For a more in-depth look at the prerequisites for a deck or engineering certification please refer to certificates of competency information sheets.
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Upgrading your current Certificate of Competency
Refer to prerequisites as listed in the certificates of competency information sheet if you wish to upgrade to a higher certificate .
NOTE: For information on the upgrade from a Pre-USL (pre - 1983) issued certificate of competency contact the Department commercialoperations@dpi.wa.gov.au.
Revalidation
Unless otherwise stated on the certificate, trading certificates of competency are valid for a maximum period of 5 years.
The following certificates will require revalidation prior to the expiry date for continued operations:
- Every master, mate and engineer of Class 1 or 2 vessels must hold a current certificate of competency to qualify for sea going service.
- Certificates of competency issued to operate Class 3 vessels are issued in perpetuity and do not require revalidation.
You must notify DPI certificate section 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.
Letters of Acceptance will not be revalidated unless the original certificate of competency has been revalidated by the state or country of issue.
Pleas follow the links below for more information on revalidation.
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WA issued Certificates of Competency used Interstate and Overseas
Interstate
If you hold an unrestricted Uniform Shipping Laws Code (USL Code) marine certificate of competency issued in Western Australia and want to work in an other Australian state or territory you should check with that state or territory's marine authority for recognition of the Western Australian certificate of competency.
Restricted certificates of competency, certificates of service and certificates issued in recognition are only valid for operations in Western Australian waters. These certificates of competency are generally not accepted by other states or territories.
Overseas
STCW '95 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 STCW endorsement are:
- Marine Engine Driver Grade 1; and
- 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 Certificates of Competency issued in other states of Australia
If you have come from an other state or territory within Australia and wish to work in Western Australia you are required to have your Certificates of Competency accepted for operations in this state. You will need to apply for a Letter of Acceptance.
Recognition of Military Qualifications
If you have gained marine qualifications while serving in the military you may have your qualifications recognised under the state system. You are required to:
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