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What Is the AMSA CoST?
- Apr 30
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
The AMSA CoST — Certificate of Safety Training — is the mandatory safety qualification required to work on commercial vessels in Australia. It's issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and based on the international STCW standard (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), which governs maritime safety training across more than 150 countries.
If you're planning to work on any commercial vessel in Australian waters — whether that's a ferry, charter boat, workboat, offshore support vessel, or superyacht — the AMSA CoST is the certificate every employer will ask for before you step on board professionally.
It's a legal requirement, not a recommendation. No CoST, no job.
Who Needs an AMSA CoST?
The AMSA CoST is required for anyone working as crew on a commercial vessel in Australia. This includes:
Deck crew
Charter boat and tourism vessel crew
Workboat and offshore support vessel crew
Tugboat crew
Cargo and container ship crew
Research and survey vessel crew
Superyacht crew (domestically and internationally)
Cruise ship crew
If you're just starting out in the maritime industry and don't know where to begin — this is where you begin. The AMSA CoST is the foundation certificate the entire commercial maritime sector is built on.
What Does the AMSA CoST Course Cover?
The AMSA CoST delivers all five STCW Basic Safety Training modules. These are set by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and cannot be shortened or skipped — every module must be completed to receive your certificate.
Module 1 – Personal Survival Techniques
What to do when a vessel goes down. In-water survival exercises covering lifejacket use, survival positions, emergency signals, and staying calm under pressure in open water.
Module 2 – Basic Fire Prevention and Firefighting
Live firefighting scenarios using real equipment. You'll work with fire hoses, breathing apparatus, and fire extinguishers in simulated vessel fire conditions. This is hands-on practical training — not a classroom exercise.
Module 3 – Elementary First Aid
Emergency first aid when medical help is hours away — CPR, managing injuries, and responding to medical incidents at sea. If you already hold a current HLTAID011 (within 3 years) and HLTAID009 (within 12 months), you may be eligible for an exemption from this module.
Module 4 – Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
Your legal obligations as a crew member — understanding the chain of command, emergency procedures, working safely on board, and your rights and responsibilities under maritime law.
Module 5 – Proficiency in Maritime Security Awareness
Vessel security protocols — recognising and reporting threats, access control, and understanding your role in maintaining security on a commercial vessel.
What's Involved in the AMSA Certificate of Safety Training (CoST)?
The AMSA CoST is completed over 5 days and uses a blended delivery model, meaning some components are studied online while others must be completed in person.
Successful enrolments receive access to the aXcelerate student portal around 1–2 weeks before the course begins, giving you time to work through the online material at your own pace before attending practical sessions.
Online and Pre-Study Components
MARF037 – Vessel Security Procedures (Security Awareness Training): Completed entirely online before your first day.
MARF041 – Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR): Begins online, then wraps up with a 2-hour classroom session covering real-world scenarios and safety application.
HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid: Online theory is completed first, followed by a 2-hour hands-on session where you'll practise CPR and demonstrate first aid techniques.
In-Person Practical Training
MARF046 – Personal Survival Techniques (PST): A full day of classroom theory followed by a half-day in-water practical where you'll put survival techniques to the test in real conditions.
MARF035 – Basic Fire Prevention and Firefighting: A full day of classroom theory followed by a full day of live firefighting practicals using real equipment.
The two practical units — sea survival and firefighting — are mandatory in-person components. No legitimate AMSA-approved CoST program can be delivered entirely online, so be cautious of any provider making that claim.
What Certifications Do You Receive?
On successful completion of the AMSA CoST course, you receive two documents:
1. STCW Statement of Completion Certificate
This is your internationally recognised STCW certificate. It's accepted by maritime employers worldwide and can be used immediately after finishing the course to apply for work on commercial and international vessels. It's also the document you use to apply to AMSA for your physical CoST card.
2. Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment
A Statement of Attainment for the MARSS00033 Safety Training Certification Skill Set, covering the following units of competency:
HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid
MARF035 – Fire prevention and firefighting
MARF037 – Vessel security procedures
MARF041 – Personal safety and social responsibility
MARF046 – Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment
How Do You Apply for Your AMSA CoST Card?
Completing the course gives you your STCW Statement of Completion. From there, you apply directly to AMSA for your physical CoST card using Seafarer Form 419.
If You're in Australia:
Lodge your application in person at a participating Australia Post outlet with your completed documents and application fee.
If You're Overseas:
Email your completed application to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au. AMSA will advise you on how to pay the fee online.
For full application requirements and current processing information, refer directly to the AMSA website.
Working in Australia vs. Working Internationally
Understanding the difference between your STCW certificate and your AMSA CoST card matters depending on where you want to work.
Australian-Flagged Commercial Vessels
To work on Australian-flagged commercial vessels in domestic waters, you need the physical AMSA CoST card. This is the legal requirement and is obtained by applying to AMSA after completing your training.
International Vessels and Superyachts
Your STCW Statement of Completion Certificate is sufficient for work on foreign-flagged vessels, including superyachts operating internationally or in Australian waters. You can use this immediately after completing the course — no waiting on AMSA card processing required.
Where Does the AMSA CoST Training Take Place?
The AMSA CoST is delivered through Superyacht Crew Academy — the registered training organisation (RTO 91462) behind Sydney Maritime Institute. Training takes place across three locations on Sydney's Northern Beaches:
Classroom sessions: Unit 5a/4 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
Firefighting practical: NSW Mines Rescue Facility
Sea survival practical: Warringah Aquatic Centre
A complimentary shuttle is provided to all off-site practical locations — no need to arrange your own transport.
Who Can Enrol in the AMSA CoST?
The AMSA CoST is an entry-level course. No prior maritime experience or qualifications are required. You need to be:
16 years of age or older
Reasonably fit — the course includes swimming, firefighting drills, and physical survival simulations
Comfortable communicating in English
In good general health
Colour vision deficiency does not prevent you from completing the AMSA CoST, though it may affect eligibility for certain officer roles later in your career.
Upcoming AMSA CoST Course Dates (2026)
Head here to check out up-coming dates
Frequently Asked Questions About the AMSA CoST
Is the AMSA CoST the same as STCW?
Yes. The AMSA Certificate of Safety Training is Australia's approved delivery of the international STCW Basic Safety Training standard. When you complete an AMSA-approved course, you receive both an internationally recognised STCW Statement of Completion and a national Statement of Attainment. The physical CoST card is then issued by AMSA after you apply using your completed training documentation.
Does the AMSA CoST expire?
The certificate does not have a standard expiry date, but individual components — first aid, sea survival and fire fighting — have currency requirements. Some vessel operators and flag states may also apply their own revalidation requirements. Contact us if you're unsure what applies to your situation.
Can I complete the AMSA CoST online?
Yes but not fully online. The practical components (sea survival and live firefighting) must be completed in person. Any provider claiming to offer a fully online AMSA CoST is not delivering an AMSA-approved course.
Can I get an exemption from the First Aid module?
Yes, if you hold a current HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid (completed within the past 3 years) and HLTAID009 – Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (completed within the past 12 months). Declare this when booking and our team will verify your certificates before confirming your exemption.
What's the difference between Sydney Maritime Institute and Superyacht Crew Academy?
Sydney Maritime Institute is the commercial maritime training division. The AMSA CoST course is delivered through Superyacht Crew Academy (RTO 91462) — the same registered training organisation, the same qualified trainers, and the same nationally recognised certification. SMI focuses on the commercial maritime career pathway; Superyacht Crew Academy covers the broader superyacht industry entry pathway.
Ready to Get Your AMSA CoST?
The AMSA Certificate of Safety Training is the mandatory starting point for any commercial maritime career in Australia. Get it done with a nationally accredited RTO and start working sooner.
To enquire or book:
Unit 5a/4 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
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