AMSA CoST STCW Refresher Training (Continued Competence)

Seafarers holding an AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) or STCW must demonstrate continued competence in key safety skills to maintain their certification.

AMSA requires seafarers to maintain competency in essential emergency response skills such as sea survival and fire fighting. These practical skills must be refreshed before your certificate expires in order to continue working on vessels operating under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Our AMSA CoST refresher training (Continued Competence) is designed to help seafarers demonstrate continued competence and meet the training requirements needed when applying to revalidate a Certificate of Safety Training with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) or prove currency of STCW training

STCW Refresher for Superyacht and International Crew

If you previously completed STCW Basic Safety Training (STCW 95+10) either in Australia or overseas, you can still complete your refresher training with us as normal.

• Personal survival techniques (STCW Reg VI/1 Code A–VI/1 Table A–VI/1–1)
• Fire prevention and fire fighting (Basic) (STCW Reg VI/1 Code A–VI/1 Table A–VI/1–2)

These modules are commonly required every five years by many flag states and maritime authorities to demonstrate continued competence in emergency response skills.

After completing the training, students will receive Statements of Completion for the relevant STCW modules, which can be used to support certificate renewal or revalidation with the relevant maritime authority or flag state.

Important for International Crew

Requirements for STCW refresher training can vary depending on the flag state issuing your certificate.

We recommend all students check directly with their flag state or issuing authority to confirm:

• Whether refresher training is required
• Which modules must be completed
• Whether additional evidence (such as sea service or onboard drills) is needed

Australia, through the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), is recognised on the IMO White List, meaning its training and certification standards meet international STCW requirements.

However, final acceptance of refresher training and certification always rests with your flag state or issuing authority.

Please note that we no longer require a self-declaration of onboard drills. It is the responsibility of the seafarer to ensure they meet the requirements set by their flag state.

 

What Is the AMSA CoST Refresher (Continued Competence)?

This course is for candidates who already hold an AMSA COST or STCW certificate. The Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) is the basic STCW safety training required for anyone working at sea.

AMSA requires seafarers to demonstrate continued competence in Sea Survival and Fire Fighting. Our refresher (continued competence) course focuses on these practical safety skills to ensure your emergency response abilities remain current.

The training covers the practical elements of the modules required under STCW:

• Personal survival techniques (STCW Reg VI/1 Code A–VI/1 Table A–VI/1–1)
• Fire preventon and fire fighting (Basic) (STCW Reg VI/1 Code A–VI/1 Table A–VI/1–2)

Training for both AMSA CoST and STCW holders 

This course has been structured so it can support both AMSA CoST holders and seafarers refreshing their STCW safety training.

Many crew working in the maritime industry require refresher training in:

• Sea survival
• Fire fighting

These skills form the practical components of both STCW Basic Safety Training and the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST).

By completing this refresher training you will receive documentation confirming completion of the relevant STCW modules for refresher (continued competence), which may be used when applying for:

• AMSA CoST revalidation
• STCW certificate refresher requirements
• Employer or flag state safety training requirements

Who Needs AMSA CoST Refresher Training (Continued Competence)?

You may need this course if you:

• Hold an AMSA Certificate of Safety Training approaching expiry
• Need to demonstrate continued competence to AMSA & require training before applying to revalidate your CoST certificate
• Are returning to sea after time ashore
• Need to update your practical firefighting and survival training

The training is suitable for crew working across many maritime sectors including:

• Superyachts
• Offshore vessels
• Tugboats and workboats
• Ferries
• Offshore energy installations
• Commercial shipping

AMSA Continued Competence vs Revalidation

Continued Competence vs Revalidation facts are outlined below.

For seafarers holding an AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (AMSA COST), the pathway required depends on your recent sea service. For seafarers holding an STCW from a foreign country this section is not relevant.

Continued Competence (Currently Available)

We currently offer the Continued Competence refresher pathway.

This short practical refresher is designed for seafarers who meet AMSA sea service requirements and need to demonstrate their emergency response skills remain current.

Sea Service Requirements

To qualify for the Continued Competence refresher pathway, AMSA requires documented sea service.

We, as the training provider, do not need to be provided with this evidence. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure they meet these requirements before enrolling in the course.

If you already have the required sea service, you will need to:

• Obtain a letter(s) from your employer(s) confirming:
  • Sea service*
    • 12 months sea service within the last 5 years, or
    • 3 months sea service within the previous 6 months
  • Your participation in the mandatory abandon ship and fire drills required by SOLAS
  • Your participation in scheduled drills required by the onboard safety management system (see sample template)

*Acceptable sea service must be obtained on vessels over 24 metres in length, including:

• Commercial vessels
• Superyachts
• Offshore support vessels
• Offshore facilities such as oil rigs or accommodation barges
• Workboats, ferries and tugboats

Sea service must typically be verified through official sea service documentation or employer letters confirming vessel details, dates of service, and duties performed.

Review AMSA’s website to ensure you meet the sea service requirements and can provide the required evidence as per the sample letter template.

Certificate of Safety Training | Australian Maritime Safety Authority

How do I know if I need Continued Competence (Refresher) or Revalidation?

Continued Competence

If you have qualifying sea service, you will need to complete our Continued Competence / Refresher course (1.5 days).

This course meets the mandatory continued competence requirements for Sea Survival and Fire Fighting.

According to AMSA, qualifying sea service is one of the following:

• At least 12 months of sea service in total during the preceding 5 years before applying for revalidation, or
• At least 3 months of sea service in total during the preceding 6 months prior to revalidating

Review the information above & link to AMSA’s website for thorough information.

Revalidation

If you do not meet the qualifying sea service requirements, you will need to complete the Revalidation training pathway (3.5 days).

This pathway involves completing both the theoretical components in the classroom and the practical components of sea survival and firefighting training.

If you are unsure whether your sea service meets the qualifying requirements, you should contact AMSA for clarification.

Currently, we are only offering Continued Competence (Refresher) training. Our Revalidation training will be available soon.

Revalidation Training (Coming Soon)

For seafarers who do not meet the qualifying sea service requirements, AMSA requires a full revalidation training pathway.

This pathway includes additional theory and practical training covering:

• Sea survival
• Fire prevention and fire fighting

We will be introducing the AMSA CoST Revalidation Course soon.

If you are unsure which pathway applies to you, our team can help determine the correct training option based on your sea service history.

If you are unsure whether your sea service meets the qualifying requirements, you should contact AMSA for clarification

Contact AMSA .

Important – Advanced Training Not Included

This course does not include advanced STCW training.

We do not offer:

• Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB)
• Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) training

This course is designed for crew completing basic safety refresher training only, such as:

• Superyacht crew
• Deckhands and stewardesses
• Entry-level and experienced crew refreshing core STCW modules

Course Duration

The duration of training depends on your eligibility pathway.

Continued Competence Refresher: 1.5 days

Includes practical refresher training exercises and assessment covering:

• Survival at sea drills
• Entering the water and life raft procedures
• Emergency response techniques
• Fire fighting exercises

Revalidation Pathway: (Coming soon) 3.5 days

Includes both theory and practical training.

Certification After Training

After successfully completing the course you will receive a Statement for the relevant STCW modules for continued competence (refresher) for:

• Personal survival techniques (STCW Reg VI/1 Code A–VI/1 Table A–VI/1–1)
• Fire prevention and fire fighting (Basic) (STCW Reg VI/1 Code A–VI/1 Table A–VI/1–2)

This documentation confirms that you have completed the required STCW training modules and can be used when either submitting your CoST revalidation application to AMSA or providing proof of STCW refresher training.

Once AMSA approves your application, they will issue your updated Certificate of Safety Training, which is typically valid for five years. 

Training Location

This course is delivered across our two practical training facilities:

• NSW Mines Rescue Station: 533 Lake Road, Argenton, NSW, 2284 (2 hours from Sydney)
• Warringah Aquatic Centre: 1 Aquatic Drive, Frenchs Forest, NSW, 2086

We offer a complimentary shuttle from our head office to and from the practical training facilities if required. Please advise us when you book that you would like to be included on the shuttle.

Please note shuttle seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability cannot be guaranteed for last-minute bookings.