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AUS-BRIDGE-L2.2

The two medicals

Australia runs a separate medical regime for each of its two certification systems. They are not interchangeable in both directions, and the international one has a booking rule that voids the examination if you get it wrong.

Entry & progression

Two systems, two medicals, two entirely different booking processes. Book the international one the wrong way and AMSA will deem it invalid — you will have paid for nothing.

Domestic — AMSA form 1850

The Certificate of medical fitness for near coastal seafarers is AMSA form 1850. It is the most relaxed medical in the system.

  • Any GP can do it. AMSA: you don't need to go to a specialist.
  • The practitioner can be in Australia or overseas
  • There is no approved or designated doctor list
  • A current form 303 may be used instead of a 1850

CAUTION — AMSA does not publish a validity period for the form 1850 We could not confirm one from any AMSA source. Do not assume it matches the form 303 period, and do not assume it matches your certificate's 5-year term. Confirm the currency requirement with AMSA at the time you apply.

International — AMSA form 303

The international Certificate of medical fitness is AMSA form 303 (with examination report form 232), issued under Marine Order 76 (Health — medical fitness) 2017. It is a different animal entirely.

  • Only an authorised Medical Inspector of Seafarers (MIS) may perform it
  • It is administered by Sonic HealthPlus on AMSA's behalf
  • All examinations must be booked through the central booking system
  • Validity: generally 2 years — but 1 year if you are under 18, or 55 or over
  • The initial medical for a certificate of competency must be done in Australia

WARNING — Book direct with the doctor and the medical is invalid AMSA, verbatim: "Medical examinations booked directly with an MIS, rather than via the central booking system's 1300 number, will be deemed invalid."

This is not a technicality AMSA waives. If you find an MIS clinic, phone it, book an appointment and turn up, you may pass the examination and still have nothing. Book through the central booking system. Every time.

The one-way street

A current form 303 can be used in place of a form 1850. The reverse is not true — a 1850 does not satisfy the international requirement. The direction of travel is the same as everywhere else in the Australian system: the international document buys you the domestic one, never the other way round.

Colour vision

This one catches career-minded crew. In both regimes, if you are red-green colour impaired, a master or coxswain certificate of competency is restricted to daylight hours. You still get the ticket. It simply cannot be used at night.

The restriction can be removed. Two routes: a re-test by Ishihara, or an examination by an ophthalmologist using the Holmes-Wright lantern test. A borderline Ishihara result on a bad day is not the end of a command career — but it is worth resolving early, before you have built years of sea service toward a ticket you will only be able to use in daylight.

For the yacht certificates specifically, remember that the initial medical must be obtained in Australia; only revalidation medicals may be done overseas, in an agreement country. If you are working a season in the Mediterranean and planning an Australian ticket, plan a trip home.

Practice questions

5 questions
recallcore

recall · core

The domestic near-coastal medical (AMSA form 1850) may be performed by: (a) Any GP, in Australia or overseas (b) Only a Medical Inspector of Seafarers (c) Only a doctor on AMSA's approved list (d) Only an occupational physician in Australia

recallcore

recall · core

An international form 303 medical booked directly with an MIS clinic, rather than through the central booking system, is: (a) Valid, provided the MIS is authorised (b) Valid but subject to an administrative fee (c) Deemed invalid by AMSA (d) Valid only for revalidation

recallcore

recall · core

The form 303 medical is generally valid for two years, but for one year if the seafarer is: (a) Serving on a yacht (b) Under 18, or 55 or over (c) Working outside Australian waters (d) Holding a first certificate of competency

recallcore

recall · core

Which substitution does AMSA permit? (a) A form 1850 may be used in place of a form 303 (b) Neither may substitute for the other (c) Both may be substituted freely (d) A current form 303 may be used in place of a form 1850

recallcore

recall · core

A seafarer with red-green colour vision impairment applying for a master or coxswain certificate: (a) Cannot be issued the certificate (b) Receives the certificate restricted to daylight hours; the restriction can be removed by Ishihara re-test or an ophthalmologist's Holmes-Wright lantern test (c) Receives the certificate with no restriction (d) Must hold a form 303 instead of a 1850

AI-drafted catalogue content pending SME review. Certificate requirements, sea service rules and recognition arrangements change; verify with AMSA before relying on this for a career decision.

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