Ships Master / Ships Officer / Marine Pilot - OCCUPATION REMOVED July 2017

UPDATE 1st July 2017

IMPORTANT UPDATE JULY 2017 - REMOVAL FROM SKILLED OCCUPATION LIST
 On the 1st July 2017 the occupations Ship's Master, Ship's Officer & Ship's Engineer were entirely removed from the Australian Skilled Occupation list. It is no longer possible to obtain a temporary or permanent visa on the basis of these occupations. 
 This change is driven by the local unions and is reflective of the state of the Maritime Industry in Australia which has been in decline for several years and has an oversupply of skilled seafarers for the few domestic vacancies available. 

Introduction

I started the original thread in 2012, and subsequently obtained my visa in 2013, I now live in Sydney and work offshore out of Western Australia.

The original thread reached over a 1000 posts with a lot of valuable information, so I thought it would be worthwhile consolidating it into a new thread with some of the key information.

This forum is a migration forum primarily aimed at British (poms) migrants, it isn’t a specialist seafaring forum and the members are mostly just people who have been through the process before, none of the information is authoritative.

Please only post specific items relating to the thread topic, for any generic immigration guidance please post in the relevant sections of the website.

You will see some information below on the process and some links to the guidance on the AMSA website, if you have serious difficulties understanding this then I would suggest you contact a MARA registered migration agent. Do not underestimate the difficulty involved in the migration process for a Ships Masters/Deck Officers and the costs involved.

Skills Assessment

The skill assessment process is more difficult than for many other careers. You will need to submit a variety of certified documents to AMSA for verification before you will receive a letter inviting you for an oral exam. With that letter you will be able to apply for a tourist visa (if necessary) and book an oral examination at an AMSA office in Australia. You will also need to book an AMSA medical examination to take place at least two days before your oral.

There is no way around attending the oral in Australia, its a large undertaking and you will want to be thoroughly prepared considering the expense and difficulty involved.

Applications - Immigration Skills Assessment for Holders of Certificates issued by Foreign Countries STCW05 AMSA1568

https://www.amsa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/Fact-Sheets/AMSA1568.pdf

Applications - Certificates of Recognition for Holders of Primary Certificates Issued by Foreign Countries STCW55 AMSA1105

https://www.amsa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/fact-sheets/amsa1105.pdf

AMSA 419 - Information Guide - Applications

https://www.amsa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/AMSA419o.pdf

Company Letters

You will need company letters for two stages of the process, firstly for the initial application and then subsequently as part of the evidence of employment when applying for the actual visa. I recommend you ensure that the letters meet the requirements listed below from both the AMSA and DIBP.

(For guidance, a template letter has been added to the Dropbox)

I would recommend that you write a letter which includes the total time in employment (from the first day joining your first ship to leave the last ship in that company) followed by a breakdown of the individual trips/ships.

AMSA

Original letter(s) from the shipping company, written on company letterhead paper verifying the qualifying sea

service (Marine Order 70 series (70, 71, 72 and 73) Details in each letter must include:

a. Position held aboard, duties performed and dates signed on and off each ship.

b. name of ship;

c. IMO number;

d. Vessel specific

i. Deck - Gross Tonnage

ii. Engineer - Total Propulsion Power - Kilowatts;

iii. Ship type:

• Oil tanker (OT);

• Gas carrier (GC);

• Chemical Tanker (CT);

• Offshore Service Vessel (OSV);

• Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit or Floating Petroleum Storage Offtake (MODU);

• Special Purpose Ship (including RAN ships) (SPS);

• High Speed Passenger Craft (HSPC);

• High Speed Cargo Craft (HSCC);

• Fishing Vessels (FV), or

• Other type of ship (Other).

e. Continued competence in sea survival and fire fighting

f. For Deck Officers only, that the ship was fitted with a full GMDSS station and that the applicant operated it on a regular basis.

NOTE: Sea-time letters obtained from ships will not be accepted.

DIBP

•Employment references must meet the following requirements:

◦be written on the official letterhead of the company or government department providing the reference;

◦the letterhead should indicate clearly the full address of the company and any telephone, fax numbers, e-mail and website addresses;

◦the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference should be typed or stamped below that person’s signature;

◦the contact telephone number of the person writing the reference should be included in the letter;

◦the letter should indicate the exact period of employment (including whether permanent or temporary, full or part-time), position(s) held, the duties undertaken and the salary earned - positions should not be described by generic titles (eg. research officer, public servant) but according to the nature of the duties undertaken (eg. research chemist, accounts clerk); and

◦a payslip from your current employment should also be included – this is especially important from applicants working in government departments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get orals preparation classes?

The Challenger Institute of Technology in Western Australia recommended Peter Aplin, in 2012 he was charging A$70/per hour for prep.

What does a Skill Assessment/CoR oral consist of?

No, based on my oral experience and feedback from others, the oral is comprehensive and covers everything on the syllabus in detail. I found it similar to my original British MCA Oral including legal questions in relation to the AMSA Marine Notices, Marine Orders and regulations. Rules, Buoys, Manouevering, IMO regs, cargo work etc were all covered.

Do I have to do an oral before getting the skill assessment?

Yes

Do I need to get a positive skill assessment letter before applying for the EOI?

Yes

Do I get my CoR after taking the oral?

No, only a skill assessment letter. The CoR is only issued once you have the visa and have submitted proof to AMSA.

Does the skill assessment only take into account times onboard, or the total employment time?

No, if you have been working at sea for 8 years on a regular rotation (i.e. 4 months on/2 months off or 2 months on/off) you will still get the full 8 years on the letter. However if you have large gaps, then you may have more difficulty.

Can I send sea service testimonials?

No, you need to send company signed letters from all employers.

Do I really need to get a police clearance for flag states I have served 12 months on?

As absurd as this may seem, particularly since the coastal state authorities tend to deal with onboard criminal activities, it is a requirement. Visit https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Char

Many flag states will not issue a police clearance for seafarers as you haven’t resided in the country, but you will need to provide proof to DIBP that you have attempted to obtain this and also items such as a letter of good conduct from your employer and/or a statutory declaration. http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/Statutorydeclarations.aspx

It is recommended to exhaust all available methods to obtain these overseas clearances and keep copies of all correspondence to/from the issuing authorities.

If you cannot obtain a PCC then your visa application will be sent to the Visa Applicant Character Consideration Unit (VACCU) to obtain a waiver from the character requirements. This process will add approximately 3-4 weeks onto a visa application.

If you are an Australian PR seafarer working on foreign going voyages how will you ever achieve citizen?

Seafarers may be eligible for the ‘Special Residency Requirement’ https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Citi/Appl/What-documents-do-you-need/variation-to-the-residence-requirement

Orals Preparation

Do not underestimate how much revision you will need to do, this is no a small undertaking.

Initially you must become familiar with the AMSA website, it contains a vast amount of information.

A drop box has been setup with some of the feedback from people who have already taken the oral, please feel free to use this information for your personal use. Ensure you read the 'Read Me' file first before you use any of the documents in the Dropbox.

Once you have taken the oral examination , please send your feedback on the exam to CaptainC on the email provided in the Read Me file this will then be posted in the Dropbox and can help future candidates.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/grpoeyxt4zz59ds/AADHbSoNuTBOUpNIIj-dRmQwa?dl=0

You will need to become familiar with the following publications:

AHP20 Seafarers Handbook for Australian Waters

AMSA code of safe working practices for Australian seafarers

Navigation Act 2012

Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993

AMSA Marine Notices

AMSA Marine Orders

AMSA Website (Pollution, PSC, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, MLC etc)

MARPOL

SOLAS

There is some work in Australia, but it is certainly not in abundance. In junior positions there are more then sufficient seafarers, and generally desirable positions such as pilotage have a large quantity of resident applicants.

Most of the work is for very experienced personnel with specialist skills such as DP Unlimited Masters or Marine Pilots with experience in major ports.

As of 2015 the industry is going through a slight downturn with both coastal shipping and offshore companies making personnel redundant.

A list of some places to assist in the job search. Most employers and companies will not reply unless you are already in Australia with a permanent residency visa and generally ignore the hundreds of applications per week from people who aren't in Australia.

https://www.lloydslistaustralia.com.au/lla/classifieds-jobs/positions-vacant/

http://www.seek.com.au

http://www.programmed.com.au/index.php/careers/current-marine-vacancies

http://www.aspships.com/index.html

http://www.skilled.com.au/job-seekers/

http://www.pomaritime.com

http://www.aosau.com/

http://www.gomarinegroup.com.au

http://www.teekay.com

Thanks to @CaptainR for his hard work in creating this comprehensive new thread

Hello ,

Could anyone upload in the dropbox a sample copy of a letter that meets both amsa and dibp requirements that has already been cleared by both depts (i meant successful applications).

cheers

I'll have a look at doing it today. I'm very busy at the moment though, just joined the ship today.

thanks captain c have a safe trip

cheers

I indeed second Capt C thoughts. Very helpful indeed from Capt R.

Have a safe trip Capt C.

Capt c can you send me oral stuff and where to attent orals, prefer place

Capt c can you send me oral stuff and where to attent orals, prefer place

See dropbox link in the first couple of posts

See dropbox link in the first couple of posts

Thank alot cap. A salute to u.

Can any body plz share if need to take preparation classes for COR oral. Requirement?

Possible to switch over CoR chiefmate to australian Coc master after giving master exams?

Roughly estimate how much it take time. And cost to take all that medical +stay+orals+ return air fair from dubai.or india. ?

Plz assist.

Capt C and Capt R . Shall take my chances in light of ur experience

Can any body plz share if need to take preparation classes for COR oral. Requirement?

 

Possible to switch over CoR chiefmate to australian Coc master after giving master exams?

Roughly estimate how much it take time. And cost to take all that medical +stay+orals+ return air fair from dubai.or india. ?

 

Plz assist.

It's not a requirement to undertake prep classes. If you are confident that you can get through the orals through self study then do so, otherwise take the prep course.

Regarding the master orals, I think you'd be ok to sit the Masters for a CoC as long as you have satisfied all of the requirements necessary to do so. Contact AMSA or the AMC for a definitive answer on this.

Allow at least 5 days to travel over and sit the oral exam and have the medical. Hotels vary in price, as do flights. Probably best that you look on a travel website for a good answer.

For me when I went to Brisbane, it cost roughly AUD 1700 excluding flights for 10 nights accommodation in Brisbane.

Oral exam is AUD 430, and medicals was also AUD 430

Capt C can i have ur contact

My adress is *************** can u pass me urs

Above well noted. Thanks for the guidance.

My adress is *************** can u pass me urs

You can private message me within the forum, or ask questions here. I don't give my personal details out.

Also, please don't post your email address on the forum, I've removed it from your post.

Ok capt C. Thanks for the concern. i never used this forum type things. Trying it first time. Sorry.

Ok capt C. Thanks for the concern. i never used this forum type things. Trying it first time. Sorry.

No worries

Hi,

I just got an initial assessment done and a letter to go with it . bit confused about the form 419 ,having filled it the instructions on it say to post it all over again for orals assessment and i thought i had already got the assessment done . or do we just use the initial assessment letter contact amsa and book orals?how does it work ?

cheers

Same for me. Am looking for response from a senior like capt C or R