Things to know before applying

A master of a domestic commercial vessel who is a holder of a certificate of competency as deck crew may apply for the issue of a local knowledge certificate. Holders of engineer level certificates of competency are ineligible.

Applicants should refer to the Local Knowledge Certificate: Determination for Masters of Domestic Commercial Vessels  for the specific requirements of some local knowledge areas.

Further information regarding local knowledge areas can be obtained from the relevant Harbour Masters and the following registered training organisations: Federation Training (for south-eastern areas); and Marine Training Services (for Melbourne and Geelong). The accredited training organisations may offer practical familiarisation and training in some of the local knowledge areas.

Applicants are required to demonstrate and provide evidence of training attendance, course completion and sea service requirements. Please refer to the table below for the specific Local Knowledge Certificate requirements. Throughout the application process, we’ll provide guidance on the required documents and provide any additional instructions.

Certified Current Certificate of Competency Certified Photographic Proof of Identity Passport Style Photo Course Completion Certificate Examination Port Office Visit Sea Service verified by the Harbour Master
LK.3 Port of Corner Inlet – including Toora and Barry Beach Channel to Barry Beach, but excluding Lewis Channel and Port Welshpool (LK4) and Port Albert (LK5) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.4 Port of Corner Inlet – including Lewis Channel and Port Welshpool, but excluding Toora and Barry Beach Channel to Barry Beach (LK3) and Port Albert (LK5) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.5 Port Albert & Approaches including the Port Albert Bar & Port Albert Channel ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.6 Geelong West of an imaginary line north/south on Longitude 144o 40’E including Corio Bay, the Outer Harbour and sections of Port Phillip Bay ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.8 Lakes Entrance and Approaches -including sections of The Narrows, Reeve Channel, Hopetoun Channel and Cunninghame Arm ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.8 – Passenger Carrying vessels Lakes Entrance & Approaches – including Lakes Entrance Bar & sections of The Narrows, Reeve Channel, Hopetoun Channel & Cunninghame Arm ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.8 – Non-Passenger Carrying vessels Lakes Entrance & Approaches – including Lakes Entrance Bar & sections of The Narrows, Reeve Channel, Hopetoun Channel & Cunninghame Arm ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.15 Port Phillip Heads – Passenger Operations through Port Phillip Heads – including the adjacent waters inside Port Phillip Heads ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.16 Port Phillip Bay, South ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.18 Port Phillip Bay, North ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.19 Lower Yarra River – Bolte Bridge to Dights Falls ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.20 Western Port and Hastings – Western Waters ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LK.21 Western Port – Eastern Waters ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

 

Fees and payment

The fee payable depends on the type of application and how many local knowledge areas are required. A local knowledge certificate cannot be issued until applicants have paid all fees.

Applicants do not need to complete an oral examination prior to submitting an application for a local knowledge certificate. Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic) will notify applicants in writing regarding the conduct of their oral examination once their application has been assessed.

It is expected that applicants are well prepared and have a detailed knowledge of the area(s) in which they are applying for local knowledge certificates prior to attending an oral examination. Local knowledge certificate examinations include assessment of the applicant’s knowledge of navigational aids, geographical features, statutory requirements, marine traffic and other local characteristics, operational condition or anomaly which may relate to safety of navigation.

Please contact ST Vic at STqualifications@safetransport.vic.gov.au or on 1800 638 802 should you have any questions regarding this application.

A downloadable version of this form is available here.

It is an offence under the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) to give information that is false or misleading in order to obtain or attempt to obtain a certificate. Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic) collects and holds the personal information provided in this application to assist the Director, Transport Safety (Safety Director) to administer the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) and Marine Safety Regulations 2012 (Vic). ST Vic is committed to protecting personal information in accordance with its obligations under the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic). The personal information provided in this application may be disclosed to other government agencies in accordance with section 306 of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) and section 177 of the Transport Integration Act 2010 (Vic). The individuals whose personal information is collected on this application have a right to seek access to this personal information and to seek correction of any error in the personal information held. All individuals whose personal information is included with this application should be informed of this fact. For more information on privacy please refer to ST Vic’s privacy statement at https://stv.grindstone.dev/privacy-policy/.