Current engineering certificate holders
13 Current engineering certificate holders
A person holding a certificate of competency as engineer officer that was issued under Marine Order 3 (Seagoing qualifications) 2004 is taken to hold a seafarer certificate that is a certificate of competency as engineer officer.
Note seafarer certificate means a certificate issued under s 31 of the Navigation Act - see s14 of the Navigation Act.
Schedule 1 Grades of certificate - permitted duties or functions (section 7)
Grade of certificate Permitted duties or functions
Electro-technical officer (a) Electro-technical officer duties or functions on a vessel powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power in any operating area.
Able seafarer - engine rating duties or functions
Engineer Watchkeeper (Motor)
Engineer Watchkeeper (Steam)
Engineer Watchkeeper (Steam and Motor)
Engineer watchkeeper duties or functions on a seagoing vessel powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power, of the kind stated on the certificate, in any operating area; and
if endorsed, second engineer duties or functions on vessels <3000 kW propulsion power in any operating area; and
if endorsed, chief engineer duties or functions on vessels <3000 kW propulsion power operating in near-coastal waters; and
electrical, electronic and control engineering duties
Able seafarer - engine rating duties or functions
Engineer Class 2 (Motor)
Engineer Class 2 (Steam)
Engineer Class 2 (Steam and Motor)
Second engineer or engineer watchkeeper duties or functions on a vessel powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power, of the kind stated on the certificate, in any operating area; and
Chief engineer duties or functions on a vessel powered by main propulsion machinery <3000 kW propulsion power in any operating area; and
electrical, electronic and control engineering duties
Able seafarer - engine rating duties or functions
Engineer Class 1 (Motor)
Engineer Class 1 (Steam)
Engineer Class 1 (Steam and Motor)
Chief engineer, second engineer or engineer watchkeeper duties or functions on a vessel powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power, of the kind stated on the certificate, in any operating area; and
electrical, electronic and control engineering duties
Able seafarer - engine rating duties or functions
Schedule 2 Eligibility requirements for certificates (subparagraph 9(b))
Grade of certificate Eligibility requirements
Electro-technical officer Person must:
be at least 18 years old; and
hold:
an Australian electrical trade certificate; or
an Australian Recognised Trade Certificate in the same classification as an Australian electrical trade certificate; or
an Engineer Watchkeeper, Engineer Class 2 or Engineer Class 1 certificate of competency; or
a foreign certificate AMSA considers to be at least equivalent to an Engineer Watchkeeper, Engineer Class 2 or Engineer Class 1 certificate of competency
Note For the definition of foreign certificate - see section 4.
Person must also satisfy either of the following 2 sets of eligibility requirements:
Option 1
Person must:
have completed an approved training course of at least 12 months duration that includes a program of workshop skills training of at least 6 months; and
have completed qualifying seagoing service that is:
of at least 6 months on vessels with a total installed electrical generation capacity of ≥750 kW as part of an approved training program under the supervision of a person holding an Electro-technical officer certificate, an Engineer Watchkeeper certificate, an Engineer Class 1 certificate or an Engineer Class 2 certificate; and
documented in an approved Training Record Book
Option 2
Person must:
have completed an approved training course that includes a program of workshop skills training of at least 6 months; and
have completed at least 30 months qualifying seagoing service in the engine department on vessels with a total installed electrical generation capacity of ≥750 kW;
For both options
The approved training course completed by the person must:
comply with STCW Code section A-III/6; and
include the following:
training in advanced fire fighting (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/3);
training in medical first aid (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/4 paragraphs 1 to 3);
security awareness training (that complies with STCW Code section A-VI/6 paragraph 4)
Also, the person must:
have completed an approved course of basic safety training (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/1 paragraph 2); and
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4); and
hold a certificate of medical fitness; and
have passed a final assessment
Engineer Watchkeeper (Motor)
Engineer Watchkeeper (Steam)
Engineer Watchkeeper (Steam and Motor)
Person must:
be at least 18 years old; and
have completed at least 1 of the following engineer training programs:
an engineer cadet program of at least 3 years duration;
a trainee engineer program;
an engineering experience training program; and
if the person has only completed the engineering experience training program - hold or have held for at least 12 months an Engineer Class 3 NC certificate of competency or an unrestricted Engineer Class 3 certificate of competency issued by a State before 1 July 2013;
Note On 1 July 2013 the national law commenced, introducing NC (near coastal) certificates to replace the certificates that had previously been issued by the States and the Northern Territory.
An engineer cadet program consists of the following:
an approved training course that complies with STCW Code section AIII/1 and includes a program of workshop skills training of at least 36 weeks duration in the following competencies specified in STCW Code Table AIII/1 column 1:
maintenance and repair of electrical and electronic equipment;
appropriate use of hand tools, machine tools and measuring instruments for fabrication and repair on board;
maintenance and repair of shipboard machinery and equipment;
qualifying seagoing service that is:
of at least 36 weeks on vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power, performing engineer watchkeeper duties or functions in an engine room and under the supervision of a person holding an Engineer Watchkeeper certificate, an Engineer Class 1 certificate or an Engineer Class 2 certificate, of which (except for the holder of an Engineer Class 1, Engineer Class 2 or Engineer Watchkeeper grade of certificate of the other kind) at least 16 weeks was on a vessel using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates; and
documented in an approved Training Record Book;
the engineer training program short courses;
holding a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4);
holding a certificate of medical fitness;
passing a final assessment
A trainee engineer program consists of the following, of which the combined program of workshop skills and qualifying seagoing service must be of at least 12 months duration:
an approved training course that:
complies with STCW Code section AIII/1; and
either:
if the person holds a workshop skills equivalent qualification - does not include a program of workshop skills training; or
if the person holds a qualification that is not workshop skills equivalent - includes a program of workshop skills training, as determined by the seafarer training organisation providing the course taking into account any relevant education, skills or practical experience of the person, in the following competencies mentioned in STCW Code Table AIII/1 column 1:
maintenance and repair of electrical and electronic equipment;
use of appropriate hand tools, machine tools and measuring instruments for fabrication and repair on board;
maintenance and repair of shipboard machinery and equipment;
qualifying seagoing service that is:
of at least 36 weeks on vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power, performing engineer watchkeeper duties or functions in an engine room and under the supervision of a person holding an Engineer Watchkeeper certificate, an Engineer Class 1 certificate or an Engineer Class 2 certificate, of which (except for the holder of an Engineer Class 1, Engineer Class 2 or Engineer Watchkeeper grade of certificate of the other kind) at least 16 weeks was on a vessel using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates; and
documented in an approved Training Record Book;
the engineer training program short courses;
holding a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4);
holding a certificate of medical fitness;
passing a final assessment
An engineering experience training program, for a person with a State unrestricted Engineer Class 3 certificate of competency or an Engineer Class 3 NC certificate of competency, consists of the following, of which the combined program of workshop skills and qualifying seagoing service must be of at least 12 months duration:
an approved training course that:
complies with STCW Code section AIII/1; and
includes a program of workshop skills training, as determined by the seafarer training organisation providing the course taking into account any relevant education, skills or practical experience of the person, in the following competencies specified in STCW Code Table AIII/1 column 1:
maintenance and repair of electrical and electronic equipment;
use of appropriate hand tools, machine tools and measuring instruments for fabrication and repair on board;
maintenance and repair of shipboard machinery and equipment;
qualifying seagoing service that is:
of at least 26 weeks while holding a State unrestricted Engineer Class 3 certificate of competency or an Engineer Class 3 NC certificate of competency on vessels ≥ 750kW propulsion power, of which (except for the holder of an Engineer Class 1, Engineer Class 2 or Engineer Watchkeeper grade of certificate of the other kind) at least 16 weeks was on a vessel using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates; and
documented in an approved Training Record Book;
the engineer training program short courses;
holding a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4);
holding a certificate of medical fitness;
passing a final assessment
For endorsement as Second Engineer (<3000 kW), the holder of the certificate must:
have at least 12 months documented qualifying seagoing service in vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power; and
have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in STCW Code section A-III/3
For endorsement as Chief Engineer NC (<3000 kW), the holder of the certificate must:
have at least 24 months qualifying seagoing service on vessels ≥375 kW propulsion power of which at least 12 months was while holding an endorsement as Second Engineer (<3000 kW), a Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC certificate of competency or an unrestricted Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 certificate of competency issued by a State before 1 July 2013; and
Note For information about NC certificates - see note for Engineer Watchkeeper grades of certificates.
have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in STCW Code section A-III/3
Engineer Class 2 (Motor)
Engineer Class 2 (Steam)
Engineer Class 2 (Steam and Motor)
Person must:
hold or have held any of the following certificates:
an Engineer Watchkeeper certificate of competency;
a foreign certificate AMSA considers to be at least equivalent to an Engineer Watchkeeper certificate of competency;
Note For the definition of foreign certificate - see section 4.
an Engineer Class 3 NC of competency;
an unrestricted Engineer Class 3 certificate of competency issued by a State before 1 July 2013; and
Note For information about NC certificates - see note for Engineer Watchkeeper grades of certificates.
have completed the following documented qualifying seagoing service:
if holding a certificate mentioned in subparagraph (a)(i) or (ii) - at least 12 months qualifying seagoing service on vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power while holding an Engineer Watchkeeper certificate or its equivalent of which at least 9 months was on vessels using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates; or
if holding a certificate mentioned in subparagraph (a)(iii) or (iv) - at least 24 months qualifying seagoing service on vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power while holding the certificate of competency, of which at least 9 months was on vessels using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates; or
qualifying seagoing service that is a combination of the kinds of seagoing service mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) that AMSA considers equivalent to the qualifying seagoing service mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii); and
have completed an approved program of study appropriate for the certificate that meets the standards specified in STCW Code sections AIII/1 and AIII/2 and includes the following:
training in advanced fire fighting (that complies with STCW Code AVI/3);
training in medical first aid (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/4 paragraphs 1 to 3);
security awareness training (that complies with STCW Code section A-VI/6 paragraph 4); and
if holding only the certificate mentioned in subparagraph (a)(iii) or (a)(iv) - have completed the engineer training program short courses; and
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4); and
hold a certificate of medical fitness; and
have passed a final assessment
Engineer Class 1 (Motor)
Engineer Class 1 (Steam)
Engineer Class 1 (Steam and Motor) Person must:
hold or have held any of the following certificates:
an Engineer Class 2 certificate;
a foreign certificate AMSA considers to be at least equivalent to an Engineer Class 2 certificate; and
Note For the definition of foreign certificate - see section 4.
have completed the following documented qualifying seagoing service:
qualifying seagoing service that is:
at least 36 months in charge of an engine room watch on vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power while holding either an Engineer Watchkeeper or Engineer Class 2 certificate of competency, of which at least 12 months was served on vessels ≥3000 kW using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates; and
at least 12 months while holding a certificate of competency as Engineer Class 2; or
at least 24 months in charge of an engine room watch on vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power of which at least 12 months was served as first engineer on vessels ≥3000 kW propulsion power using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates while holding an Engineer Class 2 certificate of competency; or
at least 42 months in charge of an engine room watch on vessels ≥750 kW propulsion power of which at least 18 months was served on vessels ≥ 3000 kW propulsion power using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates while holding an Engineer Class 2 certificate of competency and at least 24 months was served while holding an Engineer Class 3 NC certificate of competency or an unrestricted Engineer Class 3 certificate of competency issued by a State before 1 July 2013; or
Note For information about NC certificates - see note for Engineer Watchkeeper grades of certificates.
qualifying seagoing service that is a combination of the kinds of seagoing service mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (iii) that AMSA considers equivalent to the qualifying seagoing service mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (iii); and
have completed an approved program of study appropriate for the certificate that meets the standards specified in STCW Code sections AIII/1 and AIII/2 and includes the following:
training in advanced fire fighting (STCW Code AVI/3);
training in medical first aid (STCW Code AVI/4 paragraphs 1 to 3);
security awareness training (that complies with STCW Code section A-VI/6 paragraph 4); and
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4); and
hold a certificate of medical fitness; and
have passed a final assessment
Schedule 3 Qualifying seagoing service - general requirements (section 10)
3.1 Service must have been performed as:
an engineer, trainee engineer or engineer cadet, or in an equivalent capacity regularly engaged in engine-room watchkeeping, which may include service on call in periodically unattended machinery spaces on vessels with a propulsion power of ≥750 kW; or
an electro-technical officer engaged in electro-technical officer duties or functions on vessels with an electrical generation capacity of ≥750 kW.
3. 2 Qualifying seagoing service is calculated as follows:
if the machinery is in use or immediately available for use for at least 8 hours in a 24 hour period and the person is on duty or on call for that period, the sea service is taken to be served as a whole day; and
if the machinery is in use or immediately available for use for less than 8 hours in a 24 hour period and the seafarer is on duty or on call for that period, the sea service is taken to be the actual period the machinery is in use or available for use plus 25% of that time.
3.3 For clause 3.2, seagoing service calculated to be at least 8 hours in any 24 hour period is taken to be served as a whole day and no more than a whole day.
3.4 Qualifying seagoing service that forms part of eligibility requirements and is served on an offshore industry mobile unit that is not self propelled, on a dredge that is not capable of self propulsion while conducting dredging operations or on auxiliary machinery run independently of the main propulsion machinery is subject to the following restrictions:
for an Engineer Watchkeeper certificate of competency, the maximum amount of seagoing service that can be credited is 20 weeks;
for an Engineer Class 2 certificate of competency, the maximum amount of seagoing service that can be credited is 6 months;
for an Engineer Class 1 certificate of competency, the maximum amount of seagoing service that can be credited is 12 months.
3.5 The restrictions mentioned in clause 3.4 do not apply to qualifying seagoing service requirements for revalidation of a seafarer certificate.
Note For qualifying seagoing service requirements for revalidation of a certificate - see Schedule 4.
3.6 In this clause:
machinery means:
propulsion machinery on propelled vessels; or
generator prime movers and drilling prime movers on:
off shore industry mobile units that are not self propelled; or
floating production, storage or offtake facilities; or
facilities similar to those mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii); or
dredging machinery, including dredging machinery contained in machinery spaces on board the dredge but not including portable dredging equipment such as a backhoe.
Schedule 4 Requirements for revalidation of certificates (paragraph 11(b))
4.1 The person must have at least 1 of the following:
documented qualifying seagoing service on vessels with auxiliary machinery or a propulsion power ≥750 kW of any kind calculated in the same way as required for the issue of the certificate to be revalidated, of:
12 months in the 5 years before the application for revalidation; or
3 months in the 6 months before the application for revalidation;
completed, within the 5 years before the date of applying for revalidation of the certificate, an approved revalidation course appropriate for the grade of certificate to be revalidated;
performed duties and completed approved courses appropriate for the grade of certificate to be revalidated that together AMSA considers at least equivalent to the service mentioned in paragraph (a);
within the 5 years before the date of applying for revalidation of the certificate:
completed approved short courses appropriate for the grade of certificate; and
have passed a final assessment.
4.2 The person must also hold a certificate of medical fitness.
4.3 The person must also have maintained the STCW Code required standard of competence in:
proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (as specified in STCW Code Table AVI/21); and
advanced fire fighting (as specified in STCW Code Table AVI/3); and
security awareness training (that complies with STCW Code Table A-VI/61).
Notes to Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014
Note 1
Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 (in force under subsection 342(1) of the Navigation Act 2012) as shown in this compilation comprises Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 amended as indicated in the following tables.
Table of Orders
Year and number Registration date FRLI number Commencement date Application, saving or transitional provisions
Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 (MO 2014/4) 24 Feb 2014 F2014L00179 1 April 2014 -
Marine Orders Amendment (Marine Order 76 - consequential changes) Order 2017 (MO 2017/9) 18 December 2017 F2017L01635 1 January 2018 -
Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) Amendment Order 2018 (MO 2018/5) 20 March 2018 F2018L00320 1 April 2018 -
Marine Orders Amendment (Marine Order 505 - consequential changes) Order 2022 (MO 2022/2) 30 Mar 2022 F2022L00424 1 January 2023
Table of amendments ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected How affected
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