Certificates of survey (CoS)

Surveys check that your domestic commercial vessel is compliant with Australian laws and standards.

Do I need a certificate of survey?

Every domestic commercial vessel is required to have a certificate of survey unless it is exempt.

Circumstances where your vessel may be exempt from the requirement to have a certificate of survey include:

• small vessels operating in sheltered waters and carrying a small number of passengers
• human powered vessels (kayaks, canoes, paddle boats)
• small sailing vessels
• vessels used for recreational training
• volunteer marine rescue and fire service vessels
• existing vessels that were not required to have a certificate of survey on 30 June 2013 
• vessels up to 12 metres operating in specific near shore areas of open water
• Tenders and auxiliary vessels

Your vessel may be required to have a load line certificate, even if it is exempt from the requirement to have a certificate of survey.

What will a certificate of survey allow me to do?

A certificate of survey will allow your vessel to be operated commercially in Australia and will identify:

• the service categories the vessel can be used in
• the number of crew, passengers, and special personnel that can be carried (note that minimum crew requirements also apply)
• any other conditions specific to the vessel.

What do I need to do once I have a certificate of survey?

Every vessel with a certificate of survey needs to be surveyed when the certificate is renewed. Some vessels also need to be surveyed periodically during the life of the certificate. You will receive a schedule of required surveys with your certificate.

You must make sure that you comply with the conditions of your certificate of survey at all times. These include the requirement for the vessel to continue to comply with the standards that apply to it and to be surveyed according to its survey schedule. It is an offence to operate a vessel in breach of a condition on its certificate of survey.

When and how do I apply for a new certificate of survey?

You need to apply for a new certificate of survey if your vessel is required to have one and:

• the vessel has never held a certificate of survey
• the vessel has not held a certificate of survey for the past two years
• you want to remove or change a condition on the current certificate of survey
• you want to alter or modify the vessel or its operations
• you want to make any variation to your certificate when you renew it.

Select the ‘New’ button below for more information and instructions.

When and how do I renew my certificate of survey?

Certificates of survey are normally valid for five years. We will send you a reminder notice 90 days before your certificate expires and outline the surveys that are due to support the renewal application.

Please note that the 10, 20 and 30 year survey items, required in Clause 4.11(2) of the National Law—Marine surveyors accreditation guidance manual,  will need to be completed by no later than the second renewal survey post 1 July 2018.  For example, if a certificate of survey is renewed in 2020, it is expected that the 10, 20, 30 year surveys (as applicable to the age of the vessel) will be carried out no later than the next renewal in 2025.

You will need to renew the certificate before it expires. If you have not renewed your certificate when it expires, you must stop operating until the certificate is renewed or you receive approval to operate temporarily under Exemption 7 Marine Safety (Temporary operations).

Select the ‘Renew’ button below for more information about how to renew your certificate of survey.

Select the ‘New’ button below if you are renewing your certificate and need to change anything on your certificate to avoid paying multiple application fees.;

How do I change details on an existing certificate of survey?

Select the ‘Vary’ button below if you want to:

• transfer the certificate
• remove a service category
• update certificate details.

If you only want to update the certificate holders contact details (for example if you have changed address or telephone details), you can do this without submitting an application by calling AMSA Connect. If you have changed your name (eg married) then select the 'Vary' button below.

Select the ‘New’ button below if you want to:

• add a service category
• remove or change a condition
• alter or modify vessel details.

What do I do if I can’t get my vessel surveyed, safety equipment serviced or compass adjusted by the due date?

You can apply to extend the time needed to complete a periodic survey, service safety equipment or have your compass adjusted.

You can also apply to extend the time needed to complete the out of water component of a renewal survey.

If you want to notify AMSA of a change to engine(s) on a domestic commercial vessel, where the change does not invalidate the certificate, please complete the Notification of change of engine form (AMSA 1847).

What if I sell my vessel?

You must notify us within 14 days if the vessel is sold. The certificate can be transferred to a new certificate holder. Select the ‘Vary’ button below.

Can I cancel my certificate of survey or put it on hold?

You can apply to suspend your certificate for up to 18 months. This will not extend the duration of the certificate. Select the ‘Suspend or revoke’ button below for more information.

You can apply to have your certificate permanently revoked. Note that if you are selling your vessel, a vary application is likely to be more appropriate. Once the certificate is revoked it cannot be reinstated and you or the subsequent owner will have to apply for a new one.

If you want to request that your certificate be revoked, select the ‘Suspend or revoke’ button below for information.

We can suspend a certificate of survey on our own initiative. We must do this if we are satisfied that the suspension is necessary for the purpose of:

• ensuring any unpaid fees are recovered
• ensuring necessary repairs are made to the vessel
• we consider it necessary in the interest of marine safety or protecting the environment.

We can revoke a certificate of survey on our own initiative. We must do this if:

• we consider it necessary in the interest of marine safety or protecting the environment or
• the certificate was issued error.

Who can survey my vessel?

Most vessels can be surveyed by a marine surveyor (AMS) who is accredited to perform the category of survey being conducted.

Some vessels are required to be surveyed by a recognised organisation (RO), also known as a classification society.

Vessels ≥35 m in length

Most vessels ≥35 m in length are required to be surveyed by an RO. Some less complex vessels may be eligible to be surveyed by an AMS. 

Check the policy on survey requirements for vessels ≥35 metres.

Novel vessels

Novel vessels are required to be surveyed by an RO.

A vessel may be categorised as a ‘novel vessel’ if it does not have the shape, form, function or propulsion of most vessels of a similar kind.  

The novel vessel policy sets out some of the types of vessels AMSA considers novel. It also sets out pathways for them to obtain certification.

Electrical surveys for plan approval

Electrical surveys for plan approval can be performed by:

• an appropriately accredited marine surveyor
• an RO.  

Other electrical surveys

Other electrical surveys can be performed by:

• an appropriately accredited marine surveyor
• a person who holds a valid unrestricted electrical licence issued by a state or territory.  

When an electrical survey is conducted by a person holding an electrical licence, they must provide a certificate of compliance report to the surveyor surveying the rest of the vessel.

Can I request a replacement certificate?

You can request a replacement copy online. There is a fee payable.