At a glance
To revalidate a CoST:
- Check how much sea service you have
- Choose the right training courses (based on your sea service)
- Complete training
- Prepare your documents
- Apply to AMSA
When to revalidate your CoST
You need to revalidate your CoST every 5 years.
To avoid delays and stay eligible to work, apply within the 6 months before your certificate expires.
Applying during this period:
- keeps your existing expiry date cycle
- avoids gaps in validity.
You cannot work in a role that requires a CoST if your certificate has expired.
You can apply after expiry, but this may delay your return to work.
Expiry dates
The expiry date of your revalidated certificate depends on when you apply.
If you apply within 6 months before your certificate expires, your new certificate will be valid for 5 years from your current expiry date.
If you apply more than 6 months before expiry, or after your certificate has expired, your new certificate will be valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
How to revalidate a CoST
To revalidate, you need to:
- complete the required training
- provide a sea service letter as evidence of sea service (if applicable)
- submit your application
You cannot revalidate a CoST if you hold a higher STCW certificate (not including a marine cook), such as a rating, deck or engineering officer, or master certificate.
You may still need to complete continued competence training for the underlying advanced or basic safety training units to revalidate.
- (1) Check your sea service
Your sea service determines which training you need to complete.
You have qualifying sea service if you:
- have completed either:
- 360 days sea service in the 5 years immediately before you apply or
- 90 days sea service in the 6 months immediately before you apply
- while on vessels 24 metres or longer with propulsion power 750 kW or more
- while holding a valid CoST.
For CoST revalidation only, your sea service may also include service on a facility operating in a marine environment, such as:
- oil rigs
- barges, including:
- non-propelled accommodation barges
- accommodation barges berthed in a port.
- have completed either:
- (2) Choose the right training courses
The training you need depends on your sea service.
Both options cover the same units but are different course types (refresher or full STCW short courses).
Check with your training provider if you’re unsure.
With qualifying sea service
Complete refresher training (usually 1 to 2 days):
- fire prevention and fire fighting (basic) - refresher
- personal survival techniques (PST) - refresher
- security awareness training (if not previously completed)
Training providers often deliver these refresher units together as a Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) Continued Competence Refresher course.
Without qualifying sea service
Complete full STCW short courses (usually 3 or more days):
- fire prevention and fire fighting (basic) (STCW VI/1, Table A-VI/1-2)
- personal survival techniques (PST) (STCW VI/1, Table A-VI/1-1)
- security awareness training (if not previously completed) (STCW VI/6, Table A-VI/6-1)
Training providers often deliver these short courses together as a Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) Revalidation course.
- (3) Complete your training
Where you can complete training
Where you complete your training depends on where you live.
If you live in Australia
You must complete your training with an AMSA approved training provider.
Some STCW courses offered in Australia are not AMSA approved and will not meet the requirements to revalidate a CoST.
If you live overseas
You can complete your training courses overseas, if you complete them in an eligible country.
You must:
- live overseas permanently (in a country other than Australia)
- complete the course in a country that has an agreement with Australia
- confirm the course is approved by the relevant country’s flag state administration
- obtain a course completion certificate.
We may also ask you to provide a letter from the training provider confirming that:
- the course is approved by that country’s administration
- you attended and completed the course.
Timing your training
Continued competence training is valid for 5 years.
Plan ahead
To avoid delays, complete your training early and make sure it stays current until your application is finalised.This means you:
- can complete your continued competence or refresher training at any time during the 5-year validity period of your CoST
- do not need to wait until your certificate is close to expiry before completing the required training.
Your continued competence training must be valid when we decide your application.
If it expires during processing, you’ll need to provide updated training before we can finalise your application.
Course completion certificates
After you finish your training, your provider will give you a course completion certificate.
Your course completion certificate must show the relevant STCW codes.
We do not accept transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment.
- (4) Prepare your documents
After completing your training, prepare the documents you need for your application.
You must provide:
- proof of identity
- a passport-style photograph (if you live overseas)
- copies of your course completion certificate(s) with STCW course codes (not transcripts, attendance records or statements of attainment).
- sea service letter using the sea service letter for international seafarer’s template (if applicable)
We do not accept alternative formats for sea service letters (including the near coastal record of sea service (form 771).
Do not submit additional documents unless we ask for them.
- (5) Submit your application
To revalidate your CoST, you must complete AMSA Seafarer form 419.
You will need your:
- seafarer ID
- current certificate number and expiry date.
If you live in Australia
You must:
- lodge your application in person at a participating Australia Post outlet
- bring your proof of identity
- have your photograph taken at Australia Post
- pay the application fee at lodgement.
If you live overseas
You must:
- complete AMSA Seafarer form 419
- sign the declaration and sample signature box
- scan your completed form and all supporting documents
- include a passport-style colour photograph (JPG format)
- combine all documents into one file (maximum size: 10MB)
- email the complete application as one attachment to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au
We will email you payment instructions when we start assessing your application, not when you apply.
- (6) Get your revalidated certificate
Once approved, your certificate will be sent via Australia Post.
Courier delivery is available for overseas addresses only. Additional fees apply, check fees for STCW certificates and services.
You must carry your revalidated CoST onboard while serving.
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.
Allow 28 business days for us to assess your application.
This period starts from the day we've received your complete application and payment.
This does not include postal delivery time.
We will notify you when your certificate has been approved and issued.
Your certificate will be sent by standard mail through Australia Post. Delivery times vary and tracking is not provided.
Courier delivery is available for overseas addresses only. Additional fees apply, check fees for STCW certificates and services.
How much it costs
The fee to revalidate 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.
Revalidate your CoST
Complete AMSA Seafarer form 419