From 1 July 2018, most services for domestic commercial vessels and crew will be delivered directly by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) instead of a local marine safety agency. ie Maritime Safety Qld

This is the final step of putting in place a consistent approach to maritime safety across Australia.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said for the first time, Australia’s domestic commercial vessel industries would benefit from nationally consistent delivery of safety services.

“We are committed to the national system delivering safety benefits for commercial boating, fishing and tourism operations across Australia, and importantly, the industry remains supportive of a national system of maritime safety regulation,” Mr Chester said.

For owners, operators, and crew of domestic commercial vessels this means one set of rules, one national levy, and one set of fees for national services across Australia.*

This levy will be used to provide:

• customer support services
• high quality guidance material and self-help tools
• safety education programs
• support for operators who do the right thing and take appropriate action against operators who continue to ignore the rules.

Our focus will be to actively improve safety by making it easier for operators, surveyors, marine safety officers and inspectors to establish and maintain safe vessels and safe operating practices.

^{* Some local waterway fees may still apply.}

Next steps

We will work with industry representatives to finalise the fee structure, levy model, and services required to support a safer industry. We aim to publish the final service delivery arrangements and levy model in early 2018.

We will continue to work with state and territory marine safety agencies to ensure a smooth transfer of services so you can continue to access the services you need, when you need them. We will update you as information becomes available.

Media release

• Certainty for maritime safety – 6 December 2017

More information

• Consultation feedback on the national system transition
• Cost recovery levy for the national system
• Stay informed about changes to national system services.
  • Subscribe to receive updates through our Domestic Commercial Vessels eNews or Working Boats magazine.
  • facebook.com/australianmaritimesafetyauthority

While it appears that there may be exemptions for schools and training organisations we advise all commercial vessel operators to familiarise themselves with the forthcoming changes.  QORF

Source
AMSA