The National Law replaces eight existing federal, state and territory laws with a single law for the safety of all domestic commercial vessels and their crew members in Australian waters.
It is the foundation of the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety (National System) which will commence in 2013.
Regulations under the National Law provide more details about key definitions and transitional arrangements.
Key definitions explain which vessels and structures are covered or excluded under the National Law.
Transitional arrangements will help the domestic commercial vessel industry move to the new National System and ensure that people and vessels operating under current state or territory legislation can continue doing what they are doing, once the National Law commences.
Marine Orders under the National Law set out the processes and requirements for national certificates, vessel identification, approved training organisations and administrative requirements.
Marine Orders are a type of regulation that allows laws to keep pace with rapid technical and technological change in marine safety, and to implement Australia’s international maritime obligations.
The consultation period closes on 8 October 2012.