STCW Training Australia — Everything You Need to Know
If you’re based in Australia and want to work on superyachts, STCW Basic Safety is where your journey starts. Without it, no captain will consider you for any crew position on a commercial vessel over 24 metres. This guide covers where Australian crew do their STCW, what it costs, and what comes next.
STCW Costs for Australian Crew: Australia vs Europe Compared
This is the question we get most from Australian crew: is it better to do STCW in Australia or fly to Europe? The answer depends on your next move — but for most crew heading into international yachting, Europe wins on both cost and outcome.
| Location | STCW Cost | After Training |
|---|---|---|
| Croatia (Split) | from €849 standalone / €2,940 full package | Already in the Med — start dockwalking immediately |
| UK (Southampton, Liverpool) | £600–£900 standalone | Need to travel to Med or Caribbean for job search |
| Australia | AUD $2,500–$3,500 | Need to fly to Europe or Caribbean to find work |
The critical difference: completing your STCW in Croatia puts you in the Mediterranean the moment you finish. Students who train with us in Split regularly receive job offers before the 10-day training week ends. Students who complete STCW in Australia and then fly to Europe spend an additional AUD $1,500–$2,200 on flights on top of their higher training cost. AMSA — the Australian Maritime Safety Authority — fully recognises MCA-approved STCW certification completed overseas. There is no requalification or conversion process required. Your certificate from Split or Southampton is treated identically to one completed in Sydney for the purpose of international superyacht employment. See our complete yacht crew certifications guide for the full list of what you need alongside STCW. For anyone researching how to get a yacht crew job, STCW is usually the first qualification employers expect to see on your CV.
Does Australia Have STCW Training Centers?
Yes, but options are limited and more expensive than training abroad. AMSA — the Australian Maritime Safety Authority — oversees maritime certification standards in line with IMO international requirements. The good news: AMSA recognises MCA-approved STCW certification. This means Australian crew can complete their STCW in Croatia or the UK and the certificate is fully valid for working on yachts worldwide including in Australian waters. Most Australian crew choose to train in Croatia where costs start from €849 — significantly cheaper than Australian providers which typically charge AUD $2,500–$3,500.
What Does STCW Basic Safety Cover?
STCW Basic Safety — formally STCW A-VI/1 — consists of 4 mandatory modules:
- Personal Survival Techniques — survival at sea, life rafts, distress signals, survival in water
- Fire Prevention and Firefighting — you put out real fires. This surprises most students on day one.
- Elementary First Aid — CPR, injuries, managing medical emergencies days from a hospital
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities — safety culture and procedures on board
The full course takes 5 days. The certificate is valid for 5 years and recognised globally by AMSA, MCA, and all major flag states.
Where Should Australian Crew Do Their STCW?
Three options:
- Croatia (recommended) — Split is 2 hours from Singapore or Dubai with connections from all Australian cities. You train in a major superyacht hub and can start dockwalking immediately after. Costs from €849.
- United Kingdom — Southampton has multiple MCA-approved centres year-round. Costs £600–£900.
- Australia — limited providers, AMSA-approved, but typically AUD $2,500–$3,500. Fine if you want to stay local but more expensive.
The crew who find jobs fastest train in Croatia and stay in Split or travel directly to Palma or Antibes after completing their certificate. Our dockwalking guide explains exactly what to do when you arrive.
What Do You Need Before Starting STCW?
Nothing except basic fitness and a passport. You don’t need prior maritime experience to enroll in STCW Basic Safety. It is designed as the entry-level certification for beginners.
How STCW Fits Into Yacht Careers from Australia
To work in the Med there are all inclusive training options to become a Deckhand or a Stewardess. Those interested in deck roles often continue by learning how to become a yacht deckhand, while others explore interior roles and how to become a yacht stewardess. All of this training sits within a broader framework of yacht crew training and certification, which supports long-term career progression.
What Comes After STCW?
STCW gets you legally on board. To get hired you also need:
- ENG1 or AMSA Medical Certificate — required before joining any vessel. Full ENG1 guide
- Yacht CV — the format matters as much as the content. Free yacht CV template
- Crew agency registration — register with at least 3 immediately after completing STCW. Best agencies here
For the complete step-by-step process: full guide to getting a yacht crew job.
STCW Costs for Australian Crew
- Croatia with Yachtiecareers: from €849
- UK: £600–£900
- Australia: AUD $2,500–$3,500
Most Australian crew training in Croatia save AUD $1,000–$2,000 compared to local providers, and are already in a yachting hub when they finish.
How Long Until You Get Your First Job?
Based on Australian students we train every month:
- Week 1–2: Complete STCW
- Week 2–3: ENG1/AMSA medical, yacht CV, agency registration
- Week 3–8: Dockwalk in Split, Palma, or Antibes
- Average: First paid position 6–10 weeks after STCW
Ready to Book?
- Superyacht Deckhand Training — full package
- Superyacht Stewardess Training — full package
- STCW Basic Safety — full guide
Why Australian Crew Use Yachtiecareers
Yachtiecareers supports Australian crew with clear training pathways, realistic expectations, and guidance that aligns with what yacht employers actually look for.You can get a free consultation from our team of Suda,Drazen, Antonija and Ivana who deliver the full Superyacht STCW Training and help with finding your first yacht job. We are Chief Stewardesses and Chief Officers with 10 years on 100m Superyachts. Whether you plan to work locally or head overseas after qualifying, completing your STCW training from an Australian base allows you to start prepared, confident, and employable.
If you’re starting your yacht career from Australia, STCW training is the first practical step that turns intention into opportunity.
