Protection of the sea levy (PSL)

The PSL applies to vessels that have carried 10 tonnes or more of oil while operating in Australia, any time during a quarter. It helps fund the response to marine pollution incidents.

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Who pays it?

The protection of the sea levy (PSL) is payable by any vessel, including a vessel that is laid up, and:

  • is 24 metres or more in length
  • was in an Australian port with 10 tonnes or more of oil on board, at any time during a quarter.

The levy is paid by vessels that are potential polluters. It operates on a self-service basis – owners and operators calculate their own liability and pay the levy directly.

Exempt ships

A vessel does not have to pay the PSL if it entered an Australian port only to:

  • load fuel, provisions or water to complete a voyage
  • complete crew changes
  • carry out repairs.

A vessel is also exempt if it is owned, leased or exclusively operated by:

  • an arm of the Defence Force of Australia or the armed forces of a country other than Australia
  • the Commonwealth or a State or Territory, or an authority of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory, and is not engaged in trade.

When do you have to pay?

You should pay the PSL:

  • For a ship that trades solely between Australian ports: each quarter.
  • For vessels entering Australian ports from overseas: on the day the ship arrives in an Australian port, and each quarter it continues to operate in Australian waters.

If the marine navigation levy (MNL) and marine navigation (regulatory function) levy (RFL) apply to your vessel, you should pay them at the same time.

We do not issue invoices for levies
Vessel owners and operators are responsible for ensuring levy payments are up to date.
You can check your levy expiry date, calculate any amounts due and make payment on the levy payment portal.
Go to the levy payment portal

You will receive a receipt (valid for 3 months) when the PSL is paid.

How much is the PSL?

The PSL rate is 11.25 cents per ton of a vessel’s tonnage, payable each quarter.

The minimum levy for a quarter is A$10.

The PSL rate is reviewed annually.

Check the levy amount due using our levy calculator.

Find out more about the PSL

The PSL is paid by potential polluters and helps fund the response to any environmental incidents.

For more information refer to:

You can also contact the AMSA Levy team:

Last updated: 4 December 2025

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