Vessel master job description

A vessel master must hold a current AMSA certificate of competency appropriate to the vessel’s size and operating area, along with valid STCW certification and a current seafarer medical certificate. For offshore work, offshore safety inductions and survival training such as HUET are often required. Confirm the exact certificates needed for your vessel type and area of operation.

It depends on the vessel and operation. Prior experience on offshore support, anchor-handling or supply vessels is highly advantageous and often expected, but requirements vary by role and vessel schedule. The essential requirements are the correct AMSA certificate of competency, STCW certification, medical fitness and working rights in Australia.

Mandatory requirements usually include a current AMSA certificate of competency for the vessel, STCW certification, a seafarer medical certificate and working rights in Australia. Preferred qualifications include offshore support vessel experience and current offshore safety inductions or survival training. Match the certificate class carefully to your vessel’s size and operating area.

Yes. Valid STCW basic safety training is a standard requirement for seafarers, and masters need it alongside their AMSA certificate of competency. Depending on the vessel and role, additional STCW certificates may also apply. Always verify that a candidate’s certificates are current and appropriate for the vessel and voyage type.

This depends on your operation. Permanent full-time or part-time masters on a swing roster provide crew consistency and stronger retention for ongoing offshore work. Casual masters offer flexibility to cover leave, dry-docking or short campaigns. Many operators use a mix, and pay is often set by an aggregate award salary or an enterprise agreement rather than a simple hourly rate.

A swing roster is an equal-time offshore work pattern — for example an even period on the vessel followed by an even period off — common for offshore support crews. The Maritime Offshore Oil and Gas Award and enterprise agreements build the roster into the aggregate salary. Set out the exact swing pattern in the job description so candidates understand time away from home.

The Maritime Offshore Oil and Gas Award and any applicable enterprise agreement set the allowances and salary structure for offshore masters, which are generally reflected in the aggregate salary rather than paid as separate hourly loadings. Confirm the current salary, allowances and roster cycle that apply to your vessel before finalising the offer. See the award guide for detail.

Key elements include: position title and classification, employment type, aggregate salary and applicable award or agreement, swing roster pattern, vessel and area of operation, reporting structure, main duties and required certificates such as the AMSA certificate of competency and STCW. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Award and agreement rules and the swing cycle vary, so confirm the notice period that applies to your operation. As a general practice, publishing swing rosters well in advance gives masters and crew visibility of their time on and off the vessel. Using rostering software helps keep swing patterns clear and reduces last-minute changes.

Plan swings so each master’s on and off periods, certificates and rest requirements are respected, with a back-to-back master ready to relieve at crew change. Use rostering tools to track swing cycles, hours and certificate expiry, and to fill gaps when a master is on leave. This keeps the vessel crewed and compliant across campaigns.

Rest and fatigue management for masters is governed by maritime regulations, the applicable award or agreement and the vessel’s safety management system, including minimum rest and watchkeeping requirements. Because masters carry round-the-clock responsibility on swing, set clear fatigue policies and record hours accurately. Use time and attendance tools to support compliance.

Collect availability, certificate details and swing preferences during onboarding and keep them current. Use HR software and rostering tools to track when each master is available, their certificate class and any expiry dates. Set clear policies on minimum availability and how to request changes, which simplifies crew-change planning and avoids gaps offshore.