Australian Issued Certificates
To work on a commercial vessel domestically in New Zealand waters or on a New Zealand-flagged ship you will need to have your Australian foreign certificate recognized by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) as an equivalent to a New Zealand certificate or endorsement.
This application process is made directly via the MNZ website
Once you have applied to MNZ for your Australian certificate to be recognized you may begin working in the capacity of your corresponding New Zealand certificate while the Director considers your application, provided that your application is correct and complete.
While this process is underway you must adhere to any special conditions placed on your Australian certificate.
After consideration, MNZ will notify you of the outcome. This could be with the issuing of an endorsement, a New Zealand certificate of competency or proficiency.
Is my Australian certificate eligible?
Australian certificates eligible for recognition
| State or Northern Territory cert. | Australian cert. | New Zealand cert. |
| 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 Skippers Grade 3 Master Class 5 (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 min MED 3)
Skipper Restricted Limits endorsed to carry 19 or more passengers, endorsed less than 24m; 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 (Trading) Mate Class IV (Fishing) | 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 Restricted to near coastal / limited waters*
|
| Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 | Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 | Marine Engineer Class 5 Restricted to near coastal / limited waters* |
| Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 | Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 | Marine Engineer Class 4 Restricted to near coastal / limited waters* |
| Engineer Class 3 (EC3) NC | Marine Engineer Class 4 Restricted to near coastal / limited waters* |
*To remove this limitation you will need to sit and pass an oral exam which focusses on engineering on board large fishing vessels.
Australian certificates eligible for recognition
Australian Cert. | Equivalent New Zealand STCW Cert. |
Able Seaman | Able Seafarer Deck |
Deck Rating | Deck Watch Rating |
Master | Master |
Master less than 3000GT | Master on ships less than 3000 GT |
Master less than 500 GT | Master on ships less than 500 GT |
Chief Mater | Chief Mate |
Chief Mate less than 3000 GT | Chief Mate on ships less than 3000 GT |
Mate less than 500 GT | Chief Mate on ships less than 500 GT |
GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate | GMDSS Radio Operator |
Engineer Watchkeeper – Steam | Marine Engineer Class 3 (Steam Cert.) |
Engineer Watchkeeper – Motor | Marine Engineer Class 3 (Motor Cert.) |
Engineer Watchkeeper – Steam & Motor | Marine Engineer Class 3 (Combine Motor & Steam Cert.) |
Engineer Class 2 – Steam | Marine Engineer Class 2 (Steam Cert.) |
Engineer Class 2 – Motor | Marine Engineer Class 2 (Motor Cert.) |
Engineer Class 2 – Steam & Motor | Marine Engineer Class 2 (Combine Motor & Steam Cert.) |
Engineer Class 1 – Steam | Marine Engineer Class 1 (Steam Cert.) |
Engineer Class 1 – Motor | Marine Engineer Class 1 (Motor Cert.) |
Engineer Class 1 – Steam & Motor | Marine Engineer Class 1 (Combine Motor & Steam Cert.) |
Source of conversion tables: Maritime New Zealand
