Changes to AMSA medicals for Domestic Seafarers are now in effect. As a result, new standards for the assessment of medical fitness now apply for Domestic Seafarers.
Following legislative changes that came into effect on January 1, 2023, a Certificate of Medical Fitness – Domestic Seafarers is now required for all new and equivalent applications, to ensure individuals are fit to perform their tasks safely.
Previously, all Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) medicals were conducted through one provider.
However, AMSA medicals are now split into two categories.
Jobfit’s team of highly experienced medical practitioners are qualified to complete the Domestic Seafarer medicals, which no longer must be completed by one single provider.
“Jobfit’s medical practitioners are fully equipped and resourced to meet the demand that will flow on from these legislative changes,” Jobfit’s National Medical Director Dr Ilse-Marie Stockhoff said.
“We look forward to providing expert occupational health services to the domestic maritime industry to ensure a safe and healthy workforce.”
Two categories
- Domestic Seafarers – up to 200 nautical miles from the Australian coast
- International Seafarers – International waters
The new standards recognise in more detail, the specific tasks performed by domestic seafarers. In particular, they highlight the potential implications of a worker’s health and fitness in a domestic seafaring context.
“It is important to remember that domestic seafarers, although working only up to 200 nautical miles from shore, might be on the sea for up to 30 days,” Dr Stockhoff said.
“Evacuating an unwell or unfit patient from a domestic ship is easier in relative terms. However it is still a major inconvenience, especially if it could have been avoided.
“Understanding the role and background of an individual seafarer is critical to providing an appropriate medical assessment.
“A seafarer working on a ferry in Sydney or Brisbane is very different for example to a seafarer on a vessel out on the sea for an extended period of time.
“The new standards provide more scope to assess each seafarer according to the risks and requirements of their job.”
what will the domestic seafarer medical involve?
In general, the medical components for the Domestic Seafarer medicals will consist of:
- A comprehensive questionnaire
- A thorough medical check including height, weight, BMI, BP, pulse etc.
- Urinalysis
- Visual acuity (distant and near)
- Colour vision (Ishihara) and further assessment if Seafarer fails Ishihara
- Audiometry
- Spirometry
- Drug and alcohol test
- Doctor assessment
Additional components for certain roles or situations:
- Hepatitis A serology and vaccination for certain roles (Engineer and Catering Staff)
- Chest x-ray (only when clinically indicated by doctor)
For more information on the new AMSA medical fitness standards and to access the Certificate of Medical Fitness – Domestic Seafarers, go here.
To find out how Jobfit can provide Domestic Seafarer medical assessments, contact us. Alternatively, you can book an AMSA Domestic Seafarer Medical appointment for yourself and pay online here.
