At a glance
You need a CoST to work on Australian-flagged vessels that can operate internationally.
To get a CoST:
- Find an approved course
- Complete basic safety training in Australia
- Get your course completion certificate
- Prepare your documents
- Apply to AMSA
Apply for your CoST through myAMSA
You can now apply for, or revalidate, your Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) online, track your application and get a digital certificate.
What is a CoST?
A Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) confirms you have completed the mandatory basic safety training required under the STCW Convention (STCW Reg VI/1).
The training covers essential emergency and safety skills, including:
- personal survival techniques
- fire prevention and fire fighting
- elementary first aid
- personal safety and social responsibilities
- security awareness training.
In Australia, these competencies are issued together as a CoST.
Internationally, this training can be referred to as:
- basic safety training
- STCW basic safety
- sea safety.
Who needs a CoST
A CoST is the first certificate you need when starting an international seagoing career.
You must hold a CoST if you want to:
- work on Australian-flagged vessels that can operate internationally
- start sea service that will count towards another STCW certificate, including:
- Navigational Watch Rating (II/4)
- Engine Room Watch Rating (III/4)
- Integrated Rating (II/4 and III/4)
- Able Seafarer – Deck (II/5)
- Able Seafarer – Engine (III/5)
Sea service completed before your CoST is issued may not count as qualifying sea service.
Domestic and near coastal seafarers
Some operators of domestic commercial vessels require crew to complete basic safety training and obtain a CoST.
Check with your employer or vessel operator if this applies to your role.
How to get a CoST
To apply, you must:
- be at least 16 years old
- complete your training in Australia with an AMSA approved training provider.
You do not need an AMSA medical fitness certificate to apply for a CoST.
Overseas basic safety training
Only AMSA can issue a CoST.
If you completed basic safety training overseas, you cannot use it to obtain an Australian CoST.
- (1) Find an approved course
You must complete the full Certificate of Safety Training course in Australia with an AMSA approved training provider.
Make sure your course is approved by AMSA
Some STCW courses offered in Australia are not AMSA approved and will not meet the requirements to be issued a CoST.AMSA approved courses cover the mandatory STCW basic safety training:
- personal survival techniques (STCW VI/1, Table A-VI/1-1)
- fire prevention and fire fighting (basic) (STCW VI/1, Table A-VI/1-2)
- elementary first aid (STCW VI/1, Table A-VI/1-3)
- personal safety and social responsibilities (STCW VI/1, Table A-VI/1-4)
- security awareness training (STCW VI/6, Table A-VI/6-1)
- (2) Get your course completion certificate
Attend and complete the course with your chosen AMSA approved training provider.
At the end of your training, your provider will issue either:
- a single CoST course completion certificate
- individual unit certificates that together meet the CoST requirements.
Both options are accepted, provided all required training units are included.
Your course completion certificate must show the relevant STCW codes. We do not accept transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment.
- (3) Prepare your documents
When you apply, you must provide:
- copies of your course completion certificate(s) with STCW course codes (not transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment).
Make sure the copies are clear scans or photos. You will need to upload them in myAMSA when you apply.
If you are not applying through myAMSA, you will also need to provide:
- proof of identity
- a passport-style photograph (overseas applicants only)
You do not need an AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303) to apply for a CoST.
Do not provide additional documents unless we ask for them.
Find out more about how to provide supporting documents.
- (4) Apply in myAMSA
Apply for your CoST through myAMSA.
You will need:
- a myAMSA account with myID
- copies of your supporting documents ready to upload.
Find out how to set up a myAMSA account.
In myAMSA you can:
- submit your application online
- pay the application fee
- track your application
- access your digital certificate once issued.
Don’t have a myAMSA account?
If you can’t create or access a myAMSA account, you can still apply using Seafarer form 419. Find out how to apply without myAMSA.
- (5) Access your certificate
As soon as your application is approved, your CoST will be available as digital certificate in your myAMSA account.
You will not receive a plastic CoST card.
You can log in to myAMSA to:
• view your digital certificate
• add it to your digital wallet
• save a copy to your device
• print a copy if needed.If you apply at Australia Post, you will receive an SMS or email with a link to download your certificate as a PDF.
Find out more about digital certificates.
Keep your certificate onboard
You can carry and present your digital certificate while at sea.
You do not need to carry course completion certificates onboard
How long it takes
We won't start assessing your application until it is complete. This means:
- the application has been filled out correctly
- we have received all required documents
- you have paid the application fee.
It will delay processing if anything is missing or incorrect in your application.
You can track your application status in myAMSA.
Allow 28 business days for us to assess your application
This period starts from the day we've received your complete application and payment.
How much it costs
The fee to apply for your CoST is $112.
Read more about STCW fees and charges.
Training course fees are set by training providers and vary depending on the organisation and location.
You should contact training providers directly to confirm current course fees.
Keep your CoST valid
A CoST is valid for 5 years.
If you hold a higher STCW certificate
You cannot revalidate a CoST if you hold a higher STCW certificate, such as a certificate of proficiency (CoP) or certificate of competency (CoC).
You may still need to complete continued competence training for the underlying advanced or basic safety training units to keep your higher certificate valid.
If you already hold a CoST and need to keep it current, find out how to revalidate it.
Apply for a CoST
Log in to myAMSA to complete your application.