STCW – Everything You Need to Know
If you have been researching a career at sea, on superyachts, or in the commercial maritime industry, you have almost certainly come across the term STCW. It appears in every job listing, on every vessel application form, and is a non-negotiable requirement for anyone working on a commercial vessel internationally.
In Australia, STCW Basic Safety Training is delivered as the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) — meaning one course now gives you both the internationally recognised STCW certification and the pathway to work on Australian commercial vessels.
This guide explains exactly what STCW is, what the training involves, how long it takes, how much it costs and how to get certified in Australia.
What Is STCW?
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It is an international convention established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that sets the minimum standards for the training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers worldwide.
In simple terms, STCW is the global safety standard for anyone who works at sea. It ensures that all crew members — regardless of nationality or the flag state of the vessel — have been trained to the same baseline level of safety competency.
The convention was first adopted in 1978, significantly amended in 1995 (hence “STCW 95”), and updated again in 2010 with the Manila Amendments — producing what is now commonly referred to as “STCW 95+10”. The 2010 updates made Maritime Security Awareness a mandatory component of all STCW certification.
What Is the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST)?
The Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) is Australia’s delivery of STCW Basic Safety Training, administered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Australia is on the IMO white list, which means an AMSA-approved STCW course is recognised and accepted by maritime employers around the world — including superyacht captains in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
When you complete the STCW – AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) course at Superyacht Crew Academy, you receive your internationally recognised STCW Statement of Completion immediately, and you can then apply to AMSA for your CoST card — the legal requirement for working on Australian commercial vessels. One course, both pathways.
Why Is STCW Required?
STCW certification is a legal requirement under international maritime law. Any seafarer employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship — with designated safety or pollution-prevention duties — must hold a valid STCW certificate.
For superyacht crew specifically, STCW is the minimum entry-level qualification required before a captain will consider signing you aboard. Vessels can be detained by port state control for carrying crew without valid STCW certification, and insurance companies require it as a condition of coverage.
Beyond the legal requirement, STCW training gives you practical, potentially life-saving skills. The course puts you through real emergency scenarios — firefighting, survival at sea, first aid — so that if something goes wrong on board, you are prepared to act.
What Does STCW Cover?
The STCW – AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) covers five core modules:
1. Personal Survival Techniques
How to survive at sea following an emergency. Includes use of life rafts, lifejackets, distress signals and survival strategies. Trainees complete practical drills in a pool environment simulating real survival conditions.
2. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
Live firefighting exercises using breathing apparatus, extinguishers and hoses. You learn how to identify fire risks on board, prevent fires from starting and fight fires safely in a maritime environment.
3. Elementary First Aid
Practical first aid skills for a maritime setting — including CPR, wound treatment, managing unconscious casualties and responding to medical emergencies at sea before professional help arrives.
4. Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
Understanding your responsibilities as a crew member, including fatigue management, drug and alcohol policies, shipboard working relationships and safety culture.
5. Proficiency in Security Awareness
An introduction to maritime security threats, security procedures and your role in maintaining security on board. This module was added by the 2010 Manila Amendments and is now mandatory for all STCW certification.
STCW vs STCW 95 vs STCW 95+10 — What Is the Difference?
These terms all refer to the same international convention at different stages of its history:
- STCW — the original convention, established in 1978.
- STCW 95 — the 1995 amendments, which significantly strengthened the original standards.
- STCW 95+10 — the current standard, combining the 1995 structure with the 2010 Manila Amendments.
If you are completing STCW training today, you will be completing training to the current STCW 95+10 standard. In Australia, this is delivered as the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST). The terms “STCW 95” and “STCW 95+10” are still widely used in job listings and by crewing agencies across the superyacht industry — they all refer to the same current standard.
How Long Does STCW Take?
The STCW – AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) course at Superyacht Crew Academy runs over 5 days, Monday to Friday, using a blended learning approach.
You receive access to our student portal 1–2 weeks before your course start date so you can complete the online theory components in advance. Your in-person training days then focus on the hands-on practical skills — including full-day pool survival exercises and live firefighting drills.
The course cannot be completed fully online. The practical components — particularly sea survival and firefighting — require in-person attendance. Be cautious of any provider offering a fully online STCW certificate, as these will not be accepted by AMSA, vessels, flag states or crewing agencies.
How Much Does STCW Cost?
The STCW – AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) course at Superyacht Crew Academy is AUD $2,545. This covers all training and materials for the full 5-day course, with certification issued upon successful completion.
If you already hold a current Australian First Aid certificate (HLTAID011 completed within the past 3 years and HLTAID009 CPR completed within the past 12 months), you may be exempt from the First Aid module and a $165 discount will be applied to your enrolment.
What Certification Do You Receive?
Upon successful completion of the course at Superyacht Crew Academy, you receive dual certification:
- STCW Statement of Completion Certificate — issued for our AMSA CoST-approved course covering all five mandatory STCW Basic Safety Training modules. This is your internationally recognised STCW certificate, accepted by superyacht captains, crewing agencies and maritime employers worldwide — and it is the document you use to apply to AMSA for your CoST card.
- Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment — for the MARSS00033 Safety Training Certification Skill Set, covering the required safety training units of competency aligned with STCW standards.
This dual certification is one of the key advantages of training with Superyacht Crew Academy — you complete the course once and receive both international and Australian recognition.
How Do You Get Your AMSA CoST Card?
Your STCW Statement of Completion is issued as soon as you successfully finish the course, so you can start applying for superyacht and international vessel work straight away.
To work on Australian-flagged commercial vessels, you then apply directly to AMSA for your Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) card using Seafarer Form 419:
- If you are in Australia: lodge your application in person at any participating Australia Post outlet with your completed form, supporting documents and the application fee.
- If you are overseas: email your completed application to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au and AMSA will advise you on paying the fee online.
Full application requirements are available on the AMSA website, and our team can guide you through the process during your course.
How Long Is STCW Valid For?
The AMSA Certificate of Safety Training is valid for five years. Before it expires, seafarers must demonstrate continued competence in key safety skills — sea survival and firefighting — to revalidate their certification.
Superyacht Crew Academy offers a 1.5-day STCW / AMSA CoST Refresher (Continued Competence) Course covering Personal Survival Techniques and Basic Fire Fighting. This training is suitable for both Australian and international certificate holders. Final acceptance of refresher training always rests with your flag state or issuing authority, so check your specific requirements — our team can help point you in the right direction.
Who Needs STCW?
STCW is required for anyone working in a paid capacity on a commercial vessel. In practical terms this includes:
- All superyacht crew (deck, interior, engineering, chef)
- Crew on Australian commercial vessels — ferries, charter boats, workboats and offshore support vessels
- Commercial vessel crew on internationally trading ships
- Anyone applying for jobs through a superyacht crewing agency
- Anyone planning to work on vessels flagged under an international flag state
You do not need prior maritime experience to complete the course. It is the entry-level safety qualification for the industry and is designed for people starting their maritime career from scratch.
Entry Requirements for the STCW Course
The STCW – AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) course at Superyacht Crew Academy is open to anyone who:
- Is at least 16 years old
- Has a reasonable command of English
- Is in good physical health and capable of moderate exertion — the practical components involve swimming, firefighting exercises and physical simulation drills
Participants with colour vision deficiency are eligible to complete the course. However, if you intend to pursue navigational or deck officer roles, you may be subject to additional restrictions based on your colour vision as assessed during your medical examination.
Full attendance and demonstrated competency is required across all five modules for certification.
Where Is the STCW Course Held?
Superyacht Crew Academy conducts STCW training from its facility at Unit 5a/4 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 — 25 minutes north of Sydney CBD.
Practical training is conducted at:
- Warringah Aquatic Centre (sea survival pool sessions)
- NSW Mines Rescue Service, Argenton (live firefighting drills)
A complimentary shuttle service is provided to all practical locations outside our office location.
Is STCW Enough to Get a Job on a Superyacht?
STCW is the mandatory minimum, but it does not qualify you for a crew position on its own. Most captains and crewing agencies also expect:
- A role-specific qualification such as the Superyacht Deckhand Course or Superyacht Interior Crew Course
- A current medical certificate (ENG1 or equivalent)
- A Long Range Operators Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) for marine radio
- Practical experience in a service or hospitality environment
Superyacht Crew Academy offers package courses combining STCW with the Superyacht Deckhand Course or Superyacht Interior Crew Course at a discounted rate — making you fully qualified and industry-ready from day one. Every STCW (CoST) enrolment also includes the option to attend our FREE 1-day Superyacht Industry Career Course, held the Monday after your STCW.
STCW and Australian Commercial Qualifications
If your goal is to work on Australian domestic commercial vessels, the course has direct value beyond your CoST. The MARSS00033 Safety Training Certification Skill Set Statement of Attainment counts toward several Australian maritime qualifications and Certificate of Competency pathways, including General Purpose Hand and Coxswain.
Completing your STCW – AMSA CoST with Superyacht Crew Academy gives you a head start on Australian maritime qualifications as well as international certification — one course, two pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions — STCW
What does STCW stand for?
STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It is the international convention that sets minimum training and safety standards for all seafarers worldwide.
Is STCW the same as STCW 95?
Yes. STCW 95 refers to the 1995 amendments to the original STCW Convention. The current standard is STCW 95+10, incorporating the 2010 Manila Amendments. The two terms are used interchangeably across the industry, and in Australia the training is delivered as the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST).
Can I do STCW online?
Not fully. At Superyacht Crew Academy, theory components are completed online before your course, but the practical components — sea survival and firefighting — must be completed in person. Be cautious of providers claiming to offer a fully online STCW qualification, as these will not be accepted by AMSA, vessels or crewing agencies.
How long is an STCW certificate valid?
The AMSA Certificate of Safety Training is valid for five years. Refresher (Continued Competence) training in sea survival and firefighting is required for revalidation.
Do I need STCW to work on a superyacht?
Yes. STCW Basic Safety Training is the mandatory minimum qualification for all paid crew working on commercial vessels internationally, including superyachts.
How much does STCW cost in Australia?
The STCW – AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) course at Superyacht Crew Academy is AUD $2,545 for the full 5-day course including all training and certification. A $165 discount applies if you hold current Australian First Aid certification.
Where can I do STCW in Sydney?
Superyacht Crew Academy offers the STCW – AMSA CoST course from Frenchs Forest, Sydney — 25 minutes north of the CBD. Practical sessions are held at Warringah Aquatic Centre and NSW Mines Rescue Service, Argenton.
What is the difference between STCW and an AMSA CoST certificate?
STCW is the international standard; the Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) is Australia’s AMSA-approved delivery of that standard. When you complete the STCW – AMSA CoST course at Superyacht Crew Academy, you receive your internationally recognised STCW Statement of Completion immediately, and you use it to apply to AMSA for your CoST card — the legal requirement for working on Australian commercial vessels. You get both from the one course.
Ready to Get Your STCW?
The STCW – AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) course runs regularly throughout the year at Superyacht Crew Academy in Sydney. Check upcoming dates and secure your place.
Already certified and need a refresher? View the STCW / CoST Refresher Course
Want to combine STCW with your deckhand or interior crew qualification? View Course Packages
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