Recognition of Australian certificates
To work on a New Zealand‑flagged ship, you must have your Australian certificate recognised as equivalent to a New Zealand certificate.
Because the Australian and New Zealand seafarer‑certification frameworks differ:
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it may not be possible to match the exact privileges of your Australian domestic certificate
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New Zealand recognition cannot grant privileges that are greater than those of your original certificate.
Corresponding New Zealand certificates that provide the closest match to your Australian certificate are listed in the Australia-New Zealand seafarer certificate conversion tables.
You may start working in the capacity of your corresponding New Zealand certificate while the Director considers your application, provided that:
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your application is correct and complete.
During this period, you must:
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follow any special conditions on your Australian certificate.
If your certificate is recognised, Maritime NZ will issue:
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an endorsement, Certificate of Recognition, or
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a New Zealand certificate of competency or proficiency, as appropriate.
These steps give an overview of the recognition process under the Trans‑Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.
Step 1 – Before you apply
Check the certificate conversion table to see which New Zealand certificate corresponds most closely to your Australian certificate.
Step 2 – Complete the form and gather documents
Complete the application form and gather your supporting documents and identification photographs.
Step 3 – Send your application
You can send your application to Maritime NZ via:
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Email [email protected] or
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Courier/post See the application form for address details
Step 4 – Confirmation that we have received your application
Maritime NZ will:
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check your application for completeness
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formally acknowledge receipt of your application
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send you an invoice by email, with:
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a reference number
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instructions on how to pay.
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Step 5 – Pay the application fee
Maritime NZ must receive your fee payment before we can assess your application. Check your invoice for information on how to pay, or follow the link below:
If your application is successful, Maritime NZ will issue:
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the New Zealand certificate, or
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the endorsement recognising your Australian certificate.
Step 6 – Application assessment
Maritime NZ may:
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ask you for further information, and/or
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require you to sit an exam or complete a practical assessment.
You must provide all information and documents requested. If your application is incomplete:
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Maritime NZ cannot begin assessing it, and
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your application and supporting documents will be returned to you.
Step 7 – Issue of certificate or endorsement
If your application is successful, Maritime NZ will issue:
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the New Zealand certificate, or
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the endorsement recognising your Australian certificate.
This section summarises Australian certificates that are eligible for recognition and the New Zealand certificates they correspond to. Use this as a guide only. Maritime NZ will confirm the appropriate New Zealand certificate when assessing your application.
Australian domestic (state or Northern Territory) certificates
|
State or Northern Territory certificate |
Australian certificate |
New Zealand certificate |
|---|---|---|
|
General Purpose Hand |
General Purpose Hand NC |
Qualified Deck Crew |
|
Coxswain |
Coxswain Grade 1 NC |
Skipper Restricted Limits endorsed to carry 19 or more passengers |
|
Coxswain (restricted to smooth or sheltered waters) |
Coxswain Grade 1 NC (restricted to sheltered waters) |
Skipper Restricted Limits |
|
Master Class 5 Skipper Grade 3 Master Class 5/ Skipper Grade 3 Master Class V (Trading) Master Class 5 (Fishing) Master Class 5 (Trading and Fishing) |
Master <24m NC |
Skipper Coastal/Offshore endorsed to carry 19 or more passengers; restricted to deck capacity only (unless also holds minimum MED 3) |
|
Master Class 4 Skipper Grade 2 Master Class IV (Trading) Master Class IV (Fishing) |
Master <45m NC |
Skipper Coastal/Offshore restricted to deck capacity only (unless also holds minimum MED 3) Skipper Restricted Limits endorsed for vessels <500GT |
|
Mate Class 4 Mate Class IV (Fishing) Mate Class IV (Trading) |
Master <24m NC |
Skipper Restricted Limits endorsed less than 24m; restricted to serve as Mate Near Coastal |
|
Master Class 3 Skipper Grade 1 Master Class III (Trading) Master Class III (Fishing) |
Master <100m NC |
Skipper Coastal/Offshore restricted to deck capacity only (unless also holds minimum MED 3) |
|
Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 |
Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 NC |
Marine Engineer Class 6 |
|
Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 |
Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC |
Marine Engineer Class 5 |
|
Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 |
Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC |
Marine Engineer Class 4 |
|
|
Engineer Class 3 (EC3) NC |
Marine Engineer Class 4 |
| * To remove this limitation, you will need to sit and pass an oral exam which focusses on engineering on board large fishing vessels. | ||
Australian STCW certificates eligible for recognition
|
Australian certificate |
Equivalent New Zealand STCW certificate |
|---|---|
|
Able Seaman |
Able Seafarer Deck |
|
Deck Rating |
Deck Watch Rating |
|
Master |
Master |
|
Master less than 3000 GT |
Master on ships less than 3000GT |
|
Master less than 500 GT |
Master on ships less than 500GT |
|
Chief Mate |
Chief Mate |
|
Chief Mate less than 3000 GT |
Chief Mate on ships less than 3000GT |
|
Mate less than 500 GT |
Chief Mate on ships less than 500GT |
|
GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate |
GMDSS Radio Operator |
|
Engineer Watchkeeper - Steam |
Marine Engineer Class 3 (Steam certificate) |
|
Engineer Watchkeeper - Motor |
Marine Engineer Class 3 (Motor certificate) |
|
Engineer Watchkeeper - Steam & Motor |
Marine Engineer Class 3 (combined motor and steam certificate) |
|
Engineer Class 2 – Steam |
Marine Engineer Class 2 (Steam certificate) |
|
Engineer Class 2 – Motor |
Marine Engineer Class 2 (Motor certificate) |
|
Engineer Class 2 - Steam & Motor |
Marine Engineer Class 2 (combined motor and steam certificate) |
|
Engineer Class 1 – Steam |
Marine Engineer Class 1 (Steam certificate) |
|
Engineer Class 1 – Motor |
Marine Engineer Class 1 (Motor certificate) |
|
Engineer Class 1 - Steam & Motor |
Marine Engineer Class 1 (combined motor and steam certificate) |