Exemption 15 - Marine Safety (Scientific research and educational activities)

This exemption allows people who work on a vessel involved in scientific research or educational activities to operate the vessel without a certificate of competency.

An updated version of Exemption 15 comes into effect on 1 July 2025.  

The updated exemption clarifies that only employees of scientific research or educational organisations can master a vessel.  However, you can now seek AMSA approval for non-employees to be the master of the vessel in certain circumstances.  

You do not need to apply to use this exemption, unless:

- you need to operate in ‘other waters’ or areas outside the Great Barrier Reef Region, Torres Strait Zone, smooth waters or partially smooth waters, and/or 
- you need non-employees to be able to master the vessel.

Current exemption holders operating in ‘other waters’: You will need to complete a new application if you wish to continue to operate under the exemption. We recommend you submit an application by 23 June 2025

Submit your application through an AMSA 758 form.

See the updated Exemption 15 (EX15) PDF362 KB

In force 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.

You do not need to apply to use this exemption unless you wish to use it outside the Great Barrier Reef Region, Torres Strait Zone, smooth waters or partially smooth waters.  

You will need to keep your supporting documents on board and ready to be presented to authorities if required.

What this exemption will allow you to do

Exemption 15 allows you to perform duties on a domestic commercial vessel up to 7.5m long used for scientific or educational activities without a certificate of competency, provided: 

  • these activities are conducted on behalf of a scientific research or educational organisation
  • the vessel carries only employees of the vessel’s owner and  special personnel—as defined in National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part B.

You are eligible for Exemption 15 if the master of the vessel:

  • is an employee of the vessel’s owner (a scientific or educational organisation)
  • is at least 16 years old 
  • holds a license required to operate recreationally in the waters where the specified operation is being carried out 
  • complies with the conditions of the license that they hold.

You may conduct these specified scientific research or educational activities only in: 

  • the Great Barrier Reef Region 
  • the Torres Strait zone 
  • smooth or partially smooth waters
  • other waters approved by us for the specified operation. 

To apply to operate in ‘other waters’ for the purposes of Exemption 15, please complete and submit AMSA form 758 to DCVapplications@amsa.gov.au with the following information:

  • vessel name and unique identifier
  • details of the proposed operation and geographical area(s)
  • details of how you will mitigate the risks of operating in the proposed area

AMSA policy is that an approval would not be issued if the proposed ‘other waters’ have higher environmental risks than those permitted by the exemption.

Legislation and incorporated material

Related information 

Superseded

Author

Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Last updated: 16 June 2025