Consultation now open on proposed minor changes to the look of seafarer certificates

8 Oct 2026

Released by Australian Maritime Safety Authority

MediaRelease.co Summary

AMSA has opened consultation on proposed minor changes to Marine Orders 70 and 505 affecting the look of seafarer certificates, including removing photo and signature requirements for some digital certificates. Qualification requirements are unchanged and current certificate holders need take no action.

Original release

Key proposed changes

  • Removing photograph and signature requirements for digital certificates issued under Marine Order 70
  • Removing prescriptive certificate format requirements from Marine Order 505
  • Correcting outdated or incorrect references
  • Making other minor editorial changes

Note: The changes will not affect seafarer qualification requirements or obligations. There are no changes or actions required from certificate holders.

Why we’re proposing these changes

We introduced digital Certificates of Safety Training (CoST) in August 2026. Building on the success of this initiative, we plan to make more AMSA-issued seafarer certificates available digitally from early-to-mid 2027.

Currently, certificates of competency are required to have a photograph and signature under MO70, and a photograph under MO505. Digital certificates will not have a photograph or signature. We are proposing minor amendments to these marine orders to facilitate this change.

Have your say

Consultation opens on 6 October 2026 and closes on 3 December 2026.

Learn more about the proposed changes and submit your feedback.

Visit the consultation page

Key details

Issued by
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Published
8 Oct 2026
Publisher country
Australia
Subject country/region
Australia

Source: https://www.amsa.gov.au/news-community/news-and-media-releases/consultation-now-open-proposed-minor-changes-look-seafarer

MediaRelease.co ID: mr01566 · Markdown

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