GUIDANCE NOTICE
Marine Order 72 – Certificate of Competency
Electro-Technical Officer
The following provides a summary of the requirements for an Electro-technical Officer CoC.
This certificate is issued under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 and Marine Order
72 (Engineer officers) 2014, made under the Navigation Act 2012.
What will I be able to do with this certificate? You will be able to perform the duties of:
Electro-technical Officer on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power
in any operating area
How do I get this certificate? - Electrician (General) or
To obtain an Electro-technical Officer CoC there are - Electrician (Special Class).
the following options: Successful applicants will be issued with an Offshore
Technical Skills Record (OTSR). The OTSR is sufficient
OPTION 1 – for those that were serving as
evidence to apply for a provisional electrical licence with
electricians performing Electro-technical Officer
Australian state and territory licensing authorities.
(ETO) duties prior to 1 April 2014, and:
• Have completed at least 12 months documented Details of OSAS can be found via the link on the Trades
qualifying sea service (QSS) as an electrician Recognition Australia (TRA) website:
performing electro-technical officer duties on ships www.tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au/Programs/OSAS/
with total installed electrical generation capacity of at Pages/default.aspx TRA has approved a number of RTOs
least 750 kW. to conduct skills assessment services in a range of
occupations and locations around the world.
• Hold an Australian electrical trade certificate or
equivalent. OPTION 2 – for those entering the industry from 1
• Complete the following approved STCW short courses: April 2014, and:
- Basic Safety Training course. • Have completed at least 6 months sea service
- Security Awareness Training. on ships with total installed electrical
- Advanced Fire Fighting. generation capacity of at least 750 kW as part
of an approved training program.
- Medical First Aid.
• Hold an Australian electrical trade certificate or
- Oil and chemical tanker familiarisation (as per STCW
equivalent or Engineer Watchkeeper CoC.
Reg V/1-1 (1 & 2), Section A-V/1-1, para 1).
- Liquefied gas tanker familiarisation (as per STCW • Have completed an AMSA approved course of study
Reg V/1-2 (1 & 2), Section A-V/1-2, para 1). that includes a program of workshop skills training
from an AMSA approved registered training
- Operate and maintain power systems in excess of
1,000 volts (as per STCW Code A-III/6). organisation for an Electro-technical Officer.
• Hold the following valid certificates: Note: The approved registered training organisations offer
- Certificate in Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue a process through which recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats, is offered to applicants holding an electrical trade certificate
or equivalent.
- AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness.
For purpose of issuing an ETO CoC, AMSA will accept an • Complete the following approved STCW short courses:
overseas electrical trade as an Australian electrical trade if - Basic Safety Training course.
the holder of the overseas electrical trade successfully - Security Awareness Training.
completes a skill assessment through Optional Skills
- Advanced Fire Fighting.
Assessment Service (OSAS) to gain an occupational
licence for: - Medical First Aid.
amsa.gov.au Seafarer Certification guidance notice — MO72 CoC Electro-Technical Officer June 2024 P201231
- Oil and chemical tanker familiarisation (as per STCW Please note: There are three types of continued
Reg V/1-1 (1 & 2), Section A-V/1-1, para 1). competence courses. Please ensure you complete the
continued competence (Deck/Engineer officers and
- Liquefied gas tanker familiarisation (as per STCW
Chief integrated ratings).
Reg V/1-2 (1 & 2), Section A-V/1-2, para 1).
• Completed the approved Training Record Book. How to Apply for CoC Initial Issue/
• Hold the following valid certificates: Revalidation (select as required)
- Certificate in Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Lodge an application at Australia Post:
Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats.
• Complete a CoC application form 419 online or
- AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness. download a pdf version and then complete it.
• Pass an AMSA oral examination. • Complete all sections of the form.
• Download a pdf version of the form to generate your
How do I keep this certificate? barcode.
To revalidate your certificate you must: • Print the form.
• Hold a valid: • Attach copies of all required documents.
- AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness; and • Sign the declaration.
• Have QSS performing functions appropriate to • Submit your application and pay a fee at an AMSA-
the certificate you hold, for a period of at least: contracted Australia Post outlet.
a) 12 months QSS in total during the preceding 5 • Provide proof of identity when you lodge your application.
years before application; or
AMSA may request reasonable evidence to confirm or
b) 3 months QSS in total during the preceding 6
verify any of the information provided as part of the
months prior to revalidating; or
application.
c) Have completed an approved revalidation course
appropriate for your certificate within 5 years Please note:
before applying to revalidate; or • All certificates and training must comply with STCW;
d) Have completed an oral exam and approved • All training courses and training programs must
be approved by AMSA; and
short courses that AMSA considers equivalent; or
• All sea service must be documented QSS.
e) Have performed duties and functions and
approved courses that AMSA considers Progress of application
equivalent.
On completion of the QSS, you should: If you submit an incomplete application, AMSA will contact you
for further information. If you fail to provide the requested
• Obtain a letter(s) from your employer(s) confirming
information within 60 days, AMSA will consider and decide your
QSS and stating that you have actively participated in
application on the information available. This may result in
the mandatory abandon ship and fire drills required AMSA deciding to cancel the application.
by SOLAS as well as scheduled drills required by the
on board Safety Management System (see sample
template letter). A copy of the letter should be
submitted with the application (you should keep the
original); and
• Complete continued competence refresher training
for the STCW short courses in Advanced Fire
Fighting and Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other
than Rescue Boats in the previous 5 years (refer to
MO 72 Schedule 4). More Information
Seafarer Certification Guidance containing additional
If you DO NOT HAVE at least the specified QSS
information on CoC, sea service requirements and task books,
mentioned above, you will be required to complete the can be obtained from the AMSA website at www. amsa.gov.au.
Advanced Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention course Note: If there is an inconsistency between this document and
(STCW Reg VI/3) and Proficiency in survival craft and previously issued documents about the subject matter, this
rescue boats other than fast rescue boats course document supersedes information found in previous
documents dealing with these matters.
(STCW Reg VI/2) in full and one of the revalidation
Previous documents found to be in conflict with this document
options c, d or e shown.
(or parts thereof) will be updated or withdrawn at the earliest
opportunity.
Seafarer Certification guidance notice — MO72 CoC Electro-Technical Officer June 2024 P201231 | Page 2
