What Is a Certificate of Safety Training?
The Certificate of Safety Training — commonly called a CoST — is Australia’s version of STCW Basic Safety Training. STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, an international convention set by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) that governs maritime safety training across more than 150 countries.
In simple terms: it’s the global minimum safety standard every person working on a commercial vessel must meet. Australia delivers this as the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST), issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Because Australia is on the IMO’s White List, CoST is internationally recognised. That means it’s accepted on Superyachts in the Med, cruise ships in the Caribbean, and commercial vessels in Australian waters — same certificate, global reach.
Is It the Same as STCW?
Yes — and it’s worth understanding why people use both terms.
“STCW Basic Safety” refers to the international standard. “Certificate of Safety Training” (or CoST) is what Australia calls its certified delivery of that standard. When you complete an AMSA-approved STCW course in Australia, you receive both:
- An STCW Statement of Completion Certificate — internationally recognised, accepted by employers worldwide immediately upon completion. This is also used to apply to AMSA for your CoST card.
- A nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the MARSS00033 Safety Training Certification Skill Set.
What Does the Course Cover?
The Certificate of Safety Training covers five STCW Basic Safety modules. These aren’t just theory sessions — the training is hands-on, practical, and deliberately challenging because the situations it prepares you for are real emergencies.
The Five Modules
Personal Survival Techniques
In-water survival exercises at a local aquatic facility. You’ll practise what to do if your vessel goes down — including donning a lifejacket under pressure, staying afloat, and managing panic in open water.
Basic Fire Prevention & Firefighting
Live firefighting scenarios at the NSW Mines Rescue Facility. You’ll handle real fire hoses, use breathing apparatus, and work as part of a team to contain a fire on a vessel.
Elementary First Aid
Emergency first aid at sea — CPR, managing injuries, and responding to medical incidents when there’s no ambulance coming. Note: if you already hold a current HLTAID011 (within 3 years) and HLTAID009 (within 12 months), you may be eligible for an exemption.
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
The regulatory side of working at sea — your rights and responsibilities as crew, understanding the chain of command, and knowing how to act in emergency situations.
Proficiency in Maritime Security Awareness
Security protocols on commercial vessels — recognising threats, reporting procedures, and understanding your role in maintaining vessel security.
How Long Is the Course?
The course runs over 8 days total. At Superyacht Crew Academy, that’s structured as Monday–Saturday followed by Monday–Tuesday the following week.
Who Needs a Certificate of Safety Training?
Anyone who wants to work commercially at sea in Australia — or on international vessels that operate under STCW conventions (which is essentially every Superyacht and commercial ship in the world).
You Need a CoST If You Want to Work On:
- Superyachts (Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pacific, or Australian waters)
- Cruise ships
- Offshore support vessels
- Tugboats
- Charter vessels
- Cargo and container ships
- Research and survey vessels
It doesn’t matter whether you’re applying for a deckhand role, working in interior crew, or starting out as a steward/stewardess — the CoST is the baseline requirement for everyone.
Do You Need Prior Experience?
No. This is an entry-level course. You don’t need any maritime background or qualifications before you start.
You do need to be:
- 16 years of age or older
- Reasonably fit — there are physical components including swimming, firefighting drills, and survival simulations
- Comfortable communicating in English
- In good general health
Colour vision deficiency (colour blindness) doesn’t prevent you from completing the course, though it may affect certain officer roles later in your career.
Working in Australia vs. Working Internationally — What’s the Difference?
Working on International or Foreign-Flagged Vessels (Including Superyachts)
Your STCW Statement of Completion Certificate is all you need. This is internationally recognised and accepted by employers worldwide — Superyacht captains in the Med, cruise lines, charter operators — the moment you finish the course.
Working on Australian-Flagged Commercial Vessels
You need to take the additional step of applying to AMSA for your physical CoST card. You do this using your STCW Statement of Completion Certificate and Seafarer Form 419.
How to apply:
- In Australia: Lodge in person at a participating Australia Post outlet with your documents and application fee.
- Overseas: Email your completed application to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au — AMSA will advise you on paying the fee online.
For the full application requirements, head to AMSA’s official website.
How Much Does the Certificate of Safety Training Cost?
At Superyacht Crew Academy, the STCW Basic Safety / AMSA Certificate of Safety Training course is priced at AUD $2,445.
Package Discounts
If you’re serious about building a career at sea — not just ticking the mandatory box — you can save $200 by booking the CoST as part of one of our packages:
Is There a Free Bonus Included?
Yes. Included in your CoST enrolment is the option to attend a FREE Superyacht Industry Career 1-Day Course the day after your STCW finishes. This covers the most important things to know before you start your superyachting career — the stuff captains and crew managers actually care about.
Find out more about the free career course here.
Where Does the Training Take Place?
Superyacht Crew Academy is based in Frenchs Forest, NSW — just north of Sydney. Training takes place across three locations:
- Classroom sessions: Unit 5a/4 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
- Firefighting practical: NSW Mines Rescue Facility
- Sea survival practical: Warringah Aquatic Centre
We provide a complimentary shuttle to all practical locations outside the office. You don’t need to arrange your own transport.
What Happens After You Finish?
You walk away with two certifications:
- STCW Statement of Completion Certificate — use this to start applying for Superyacht or international maritime work immediately, and to apply to AMSA for your CoST card.
- Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the MARSS00033 Safety Training Certification Skill Set — covering the units of competency required under STCW standards.
Is This Enough to Get a Job on a Superyacht?
It’s the required first step — and it makes you legally eligible to work. That said, it’s worth being straight with you: the CoST gets you in the door, but captains also want to see a solid CV, a valid ENG1 medical certificate, and ideally you being in the right place at the right time (the Med or Caribbean during season).
If you want to maximise your chances, consider completing the full Superyacht Deckhand or Interior Crew training package. The difference in how you present to employers is substantial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Certificate of Safety Training the same as STCW?
Yes. In Australia, STCW Basic Safety Training is delivered as the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST). They refer to the same mandatory training — the CoST is simply what AMSA calls its approved delivery of the STCW standard.
How long is the certificate valid for?
Your STCW/CoST certificate does not expire in the traditional sense, but certain elements — particularly fire fighting and sea survival — have currency requirements. The industry also expects crew to stay current with any revalidation requirements that may apply to their specific vessel type or flag state. Speak to us if you’re unsure.
Can I do the course if I’m not a good swimmer?
You’ll need to be comfortable in the water — the sea survival component involves in-water exercises. If you have concerns about your swimming ability, contact us before booking and we can walk you through what’s involved.
Do I need an ENG1/AMSA 303 medical before I do the course?
No — you don’t need an ENG1/AMSA 303 to attend the CoST course. However, if your goal is to work on commercial vessels professionally, you will need one eventually. Getting it sorted early is always a good idea.
Can I get an exemption from the First Aid module?
Yes, if you hold both of the following current Australian first aid units: HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid (completed within the past 3 years) and HLTAID009 – Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (completed within the past 12 months). Acknowledge this when you book and our team will verify your certificates before confirming the exemption.
Ready to Get Your Certificate of Safety Training?
This is the course that makes you employable at sea. Everything else in your maritime career builds from here.
View course details, upcoming dates, and book online →
Or contact our team directly:
- +61 2 9979 9669
- train@superyachttraining.com.au
- Unit 5a/4 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
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