To apply for AHSCP certification, please follow the steps below. These steps guide you through reviewing the certification requirements, preparing your documentation, paying the assessment fee, and submitting your application for review.

• Step 1 – Guidelines: Review the AHSCP Guidelines and supporting publications to understand eligibility requirements and certification criteria.
• Step 2 – Application Documents: Complete the application form and compile all required supporting documentation, including qualifications and experience records.
• Step 3 – Fees: Pay the applicable AHSCP assessment fee for your certification level.
• Step 4 – Application Submission: Submit your completed application package and supporting documents to the AHSCP Secretariat for assessment.

Before applying, it is recommended applicants thoroughly read the following resources.

• AHSCP Guidelines for Specialist Certification in Hydrographic Surveying for detailed guidance on eligibility, certification levels, required evidence, and assessment criteria.
• Appendix F to the Guidelines - Certified Hydrographic Surveyor Roles and Responsibilities
• IHO Publication S-5A (for Level 1 applicants) / S-5B (for Level 2 applicants)]

Complete an application submission by the relevant meeting deadline.

Below is the Checklist of Documentation to submit for Level 1 and Level 2 applications. This includes Appendices of the AHSCP Guidelines.

1. Appendix A - AHSCP Application FormDownload
2. Appendix B - Signed Logbook of Practical Hydrographic Surveying ExperienceDownload
3. Appendix C - Provide your Referees (minimum of two) with a copy of Referee’s Report (Refer to, ‘Instructions to the Applicant’) for completion and submission directly to the AHSCP (at ahs.cp@defence.gov.au)Download
4. Appendix E - Checklist of Documentation SubmittedDownload
5. Appendix G - AHSCP Certification Qualification Mapping against S5-A or S5-B syllabus for applicants without a Cat A Course (Level 1) or Cat B Course (Level 2). Provide education institution description of course subjects. Download S-5A mapping Download S-5B mapping
6. Cover Letter
7. Career History or CV          
8. Certified True Copies of Educational Certificates
9. Certified True Copies of Other Certificates (Training Courses etc)
10. Additional References (Optional)

Additional required documents for Level 1 Applicants ONLY

1. Two recent hydrographic survey reports and plans for different survey projects (Refer to Section 5.1.1 of AHSCP Guidelines)
2. Obtain the express permission from the owner and/or authority of the survey material provided within your application to distribute such material to the AHSCP for the purposes of obtaining certification. (Refer to Section 6.3 of AHSCP Guidelines)
3. Sub-Specialism Certification if applicable (Refer to Section 4.3 (4.3.1 – 4.3.4) of AHSCP Guidelines)

• Hydrography in support of Coastal Management
• Hydrography in support of Inland Waters Management
• Hydrography in support of Offshore Infrastructure Development
• Hydrography in support of Safe Navigation

Applicants for AHSCP certification are required to pay the applicable assessment fee and must hold current membership with the Australasian Hydrographic Society (AHS) prior to submitting an application.

Applicants who are members of Survey + Spatial New Zealand (S+SNZ) may be eligible to have their AHS membership fee waived in accordance with the AHS–S+SNZ reciprocal arrangement.

The AHS Individual Membership fee is currently waived until 1 July 2026.

The applicable certification fees include:

For full details of current fees, membership requirements and payment lodgement, please visit the AHSCP Fees and Payments page.