Up to $197,500 is available to support employers placing trainee and cadet seafarers on vessels to complete mandatory sea time toward internationally recognised STCW certification.
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What is the Maritime Skills and Training Initiative (MSTI)?
The Maritime Skills and Training Initiative (MSTI) Program is an Australian Government grant designed to expand Australia’s pool of internationally certified seafarers by funding employers to provide mandatory sea time for trainee and cadet seafarers working toward their STCW 1978 certification.
Running from 2025–26 to 2028–29, the initiative responds directly to recommendations from the Strategic Fleet Taskforce, which identified a significant shortfall in available training berths as a core barrier to growing Australia’s maritime workforce. Approximately 20 trainee/cadet seafarers per year will be supported through this scheme.
The program provides funding to employers to place trainees and cadets on vessels to undertake the sea service required for internationally recognised maritime certification—supporting long-term national maritime capability and the establishment of the Government’s strategic fleet.
Maritime Skills and Training Initiative level of support
The Australian Government has committed $13.8 million over four years, with $3.451 million available each financial year.
Funding Amounts
- Minimum grant amount: $80,000
- Maximum per trainee/cadet:
- Trainee – Integrated Ratings: $102,000
- Deck Cadet: $187,500
- Engine Cadet / Electro-Technical Officers: $197,500
Co-contribution Requirements
- A co-contribution is required.
- Applicants must cover all remaining project costs, including any ineligible expenditure and any eligible expenditure exceeding the grant cap. The grant will not cover 100% of trainee/cadet costs.
Maritime Skills and Training Initiative important dates
- Closes: Tuesday 23 December 2025, 5:00pm AEDT
- Earliest project start: 1 March 2026
- Project completion deadline: 30 March 2029
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Maritime Skills and Training Initiative objectives
The program aims to:
- Increase the availability of training berths on Australian-operated vessels
- Ensure more Australian trainee/cadet seafarers can complete mandatory sea time
- Address acute national skills shortages for STCW-certified seafarers
- Support the Government’s establishment of a Strategic Fleet
- Strengthen Australia’s long-term maritime capability and resilience
Projects and expenditure eligible for Maritime Skills and Training Initiative support
Eligible projects must directly place trainee/cadet seafarers on vessels so they can complete sea time required to obtain STCW certification.
Eligible Activities
- Providing appropriate placements onboard vessels for:
- Trainee – Integrated Ratings
- Deck Cadets
- Engine Cadets
- Electro-Technical Officers
- Activities that directly support the sea-time component of certification
Eligible Expenditure
- Wages and on-costs for the trainee/cadet
- Payroll tax, superannuation, leave, and insurance for the trainee/cadet
- Onboard accommodation and victualling
- Travel between trainee/cadet’s home and the vessel (economy fare equivalent)
- Independent audit costs (up to 1% of total eligible expenditure)
Ineligible Expenditure
These cannot be funded:
- TAFE, university or RTO course fees
- AMSA certificate fees and medical fitness certificate
- MSIC (Maritime Security Identification Card) costs
- Costs related to maintaining existing accreditations
- Government or union fees
- General ongoing operational expenses (rent, admin, utilities, legal, accounting, bank fees)
- Wages for staff other than the trainee/cadet
- Costs unrelated to the sea-time component of STCW certification
Other Maritime Skills and Training Initiative important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Maritime Skills and Training Initiative support
You must:
- Have an ABN
- Be incorporated in Australia
- Have an Australian financial institution account
- Be the employer of the trainee/cadet AND fall into one of the following:
-
- Group Training Organisation (GTO)
- AMSA-registered private seafarer recruitment or placement service
- Shipping company or vessel operator
You must also declare that:
- You are not claiming the Shipping Exempt Income Tax Incentive for the same trainees
- Your organisation has:
-
- No WHS convictions in the past 3 years
- No court findings of underpayment or Fair Work breaches
- No significant actions from AMSA or ATSB
- Not been subject to Fair Work Ombudsman enforcement actions
- You are not a supplier of vessels to the Strategic Fleet
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Maritime Skills and Training Initiative assessment criteria
Assessment Criterion 1 – Alignment with Program Purpose, Objectives and Outcomes (40 points)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- How the project will provide mandatory sea time to trainee/cadet seafarers (20 pts)
- How many trainee/cadet seafarers will be supported and the roles being filled (10 pts)
- How placements will lead to STCW certification outcomes (10 pts)
- Alignment with priority roles: Trainee – Integrated Ratings, Deck Cadet, Engine Cadet, Electro-Technical Officer, or upskilling seafarers (5 pts)
- Demonstrated need for funding, including challenges in accessing training berths or delivering sea time (5 pts)
Assessment Criterion 2 – Capacity, Capability and Resources to Support Trainees/Cadets (40 points)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Vessel type(s) on which sea time will be completed (3 pts)
- Amount of sea time each trainee/cadet will complete, including use of multiple vessels if applicable (2 pts)
- A recruitment plan showing processes to ensure suitability for maritime training and reduce turnover (5 pts)
- A sample training plan showing how trainees/cadets will be onboarded and prepared for STCW certification (10 pts)
- Support mechanisms available during sea time, including mentoring, pastoral care, supervision, and personal development (10 pts)
- Experience in training and supporting trainees/cadets over the past 5 years, including numbers supported and certification outcomes (10 pts)
Assessment Criterion 3 – Financial Capability and Governance (20 points)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A detailed project plan and budget outlining all income sources, eligible expenditure and numbers/types of trainees employed each year (12 pts)
- Ability to fund all remaining project costs and maintain ongoing organisational operations (8 pts)
How do I get the Maritime Skills and Training Initiative?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To be competitive, applicants should demonstrate:
- A clear and credible plan to provide STCW-required sea time
- Strong governance and financial capability
- Access to suitable vessels meeting AMSA standards
- A structured recruitment and training framework
- Clear support systems for trainees/cadets onboard
- Relevant experience in delivering maritime training
- A realistic and fully costed project budget
- Evidence of need for funding and alignment with priority categories
- Commitment to meeting all compliance, legal, and child safety obligations
- No eligibility red flags (Fair Work, AMSA, WHS, etc.)
Information to prepare for the Maritime Skills and Training Initiative application
Applicants must prepare:
- Detailed project plan
- Detailed budget showing all eligible expenditure
- Proposed Trainee/Cadet Placement Template
- Sample training plan
- Evidence of organisational eligibility
- Vessel details and suitability
- Recruitment and support frameworks
- Financial documentation to show capability
- Key organisational declarations and compliance checks
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Maritime Skills and Training Initiative
Applications must be submitted through business.gov.au.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Maritime Skills and Training Initiative resources
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