AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 near coastal: pathway and eligibility

The Coxswain Grade 3 near coastal certificate is a domestic commercial vessel certificate for the smallest commercial vessels. AMSA says it allows you to command and operate the engines of domestic commercial vessels under 12 metres, with a six-person carriage limit, including crew and passengers.

This certificate is not on AMSA’s list of near coastal certificates that need an oral exam. AMSA’s page also does not describe a practical assessment for it. Instead, you show eligibility by completing one of the training pathways AMSA lists. This page summarises them.

AMSA certificate name

Coxswain Grade 3 near coastal

Type

Domestic commercial vessel (near coastal) certificate

Oral examination

Not listed by AMSA for this certificate

Assessment AMSA describes

AMSA’s page does not describe an AMSA oral exam or an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment for Coxswain Grade 3.

Also called

Coxswain 3 or the Coxswain Grade 3 NC certificate

About the AMSA examination for this certificate

AMSA’s oral exam page lists the certificates that need an AMSA oral exam. For near coastal certificates, that list is Master <45 m, Master <100 m, Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 and Engineer Class 3. Coxswain Grade 3 Near Coastal is not on it, and AMSA says an oral exam is not needed for near coastal certificates that are not listed.

AMSA’s page does not describe an AMSA oral exam or an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment for Coxswain Grade 3. Eligibility is shown by completing one of the training pathways listed above, with the supporting evidence AMSA names.

• For the third pathway, AMSA lists a declaration on form 1882 and one day of qualifying sea service on a commercial vessel.
• AMSA publishes a guidance notice for this certificate that sets out what the holder can do and how to obtain it.

For how AMSA oral exams work for the certificates that do need one, read the AMSA oral exam preparation guide.

What the certificate allows you to do

As AMSA describes it on its certificate page:

• Command and operate the engines of domestic commercial vessels under 12 metres, with a six-person carriage limit including crew and passengers.
• General operations with an inboard engine under 100 kW or an outboard engine under 250 kW, within 1 nautical mile of shore or in inland or smooth waters, with passengers only in daylight hours.
• Tender vessels within 3 nautical miles of the parent vessel (Maritime Training Package pathway) or 1 nautical mile (other pathways), in line of sight of the parent vessel.
• Towing people with propulsion under 500 kW in daylight hours in approved water ski areas, and marina or mooring operations only.

Who this certificate is for

• Boat operators who use small vessels, tenders or marina and mooring craft for commercial work.
• People who already hold a recreational boat licence or a recognised powerboat course and need a commercial certificate.

Official AMSA requirements

AMSA sets the requirements for the Coxswain Grade 3 Near Coastal certificate. In summary, as AMSA listed them on 3 October 2026:

• Be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date, and be able to speak, read and understand English.
• Meet AMSA’s eyesight and medical requirements for domestic certificates (AMSA lists form 1850, or form 303). Colour deficiency results in a daylight-hours restriction.
• Hold a current “Provide first aid” certificate (HLTAID011 or equivalent).
• Complete one of AMSA’s three training pathways. First, the MAR Maritime Training Package units MARI003, MARK007 and MARN008. Second, an Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling, RYA Level 2 Powerboat or IYT Small Powerboat & RIB Master course. Third, a State or Territory recreational boat licence together with practical on-water tasks signed off on AMSA form 1882 and one day of qualifying sea service on a commercial vessel.
• Apply through myAMSA, or on AMSA form 426 at a participating Australia Post outlet. AMSA says the certificate is valid for five years.

This is a summary only, and requirements change. Check AMSA’s certificate page, linked under Official AMSA sources below, for the current requirements before you plan your pathway.

Preparing for the assessment

This is our own study advice. It is not an AMSA syllabus and it is not a list of actual assessment questions.

AMSA Examiner and this certificate

AMSA Examiner is built around AMSA oral exam preparation. Because AMSA does not list an oral exam for Coxswain Grade 3 Near Coastal, the oral-exam checklist and mock oral tools are not what this certificate’s assessment uses. If this rank is available to you, the study tools below can still help you revise the underlying knowledge, but they do not replace your training provider’s course or any assessment AMSA requires.

How AMSA Examiner helps you prepare

AMSA Examiner is a study platform. After you register and enrol for a rank, it gives you these tools:

• Learning topics that you work through in order.
• A Quiz Bank for practice questions.
• Mind maps for revision.
• A study plan built around your exam date.
• Weak-area identification and a revision book.
• Exam readiness reports.

The content you see depends on the rank you enrol for and on what has been published for that rank. AMSA Examiner’s practice material is study material. It is not official AMSA examination content, and it cannot predict the questions you will be asked.

Related certificates

• Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal (certificate guide). Coxswain Grade 2 is the next step up, with a Certificate I in Maritime Operations and an AMSA practical assessment.
• Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal (certificate guide). Coxswain Grade 1 covers larger engines and inshore waters, and a Grade 1 holder can also perform Grade 3 duties.
• All AMSA certificate guides, including the other certificates this site covers.