National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV)

We maintain a list of current and superseded versions of the NSCV for your information.

When we amend the NSCV, we may use technical advisory panels to provide technical assistance and advice.

Technical advisory panels are made up of technical experts from industry, government, academic institutions, and the community. The size of the panel is determined by the nature and complexity of the issue, but in all cases will have at least three members. We choose members based on their qualifications, expertise or experience in their field. Jurisdictions are not always represented.

Information on technical advisory panels is available in the terms of reference and working principles (PDF 187.75 KB).

Complete the technical advisory panel nomination form if you would like to be involved.

Current standards on this page:

• Part B: General requirements
• Part C: Design and construction
• Part D: Crew competencies
• Part E: Operations
• Part F: Special vessels
• Part G: Non survey vessels

Part B: General requirements

Current edition: 24 July 2018 (PDF 1.41 MB)

Assistance and tools:—

NSCV Part B (Recognised Islands) Determination 2016 (PDF 148.32 KB)

NSCV Part B (Specified Areas) Determination 2018 (PDF 109.26 KB) and schedules listed below:

• Schedule 1 New South Wales
• Schedule 2 Queensland
• Schedule 3 Western Australia
• Schedule 4 figure 1 South Australia
• Schedule 4 figure 2 South Australia
• Schedule 5 figure 1 Tasmania
• Schedule 5 figure 2 Tasmania
• Schedule 5 figure 3 Tasmania
• Schedule 6 Cocos (Keeling) Islands

More maps are available for Tasmania depicting the C restricted areas and sheltered water limits:

• Overview of C, D and E waters for Tasmania
• Series of detailed maps showing C, D and E waters for Tasmania

Part C: Design and construction

Section C1: Arrangement, accommodation and personal safety

Current edition: 24 July 2018 (PDF 1.92 MB)

Assistance and tools:—

Section C2: Watertight and weathertight integrity

Current edition: N/A

Assistance and tools: Sections of the USL Code to apply under the national system (PDF 233.76 KB)

Section C3: Construction

Current edition

Assistance and tools:—

Section C4: Fire safety

Current edition: 24 July 2018 (PDF 1.58 MB)

Section C5: Engineering

Sub-section C5A: Machinery

Current edition: January 2018 (PDF 4.35 MB)

Assistance and tools: My Boat

Sub-section C5B: Electrical

Current edition

Assistance and tools:—

Sub-section C5C: LPG systems for appliances

Current edition: April 2005 (PDF 233.14 KB)

Assistance and tools:—

Sub-section C5D: LPG systems for engines

Current edition: June 2016 (PDF 352 KB)

Assistance and tools:—

Section C6: Stability

Sub-section C6A: Intact stability requirements

Current edition: 24 July 2018 (PDF 3.27 MB)

Assistance and tools:—

Sub-section C6B: Buoyancy and stability after flooding

Current edition

Assistance and tools:—

Sub-section C6C: Stability tests and stability information

Current edition

Assistance and tools:—

Section C7: Equipment 

Assistance and tools:

• My Boat
• NSCV Section C7: Equipment guidance notices

Sub-section C7A: Safety equipment

Current edition: Edition effective from 1 January 2019 (PDF 942.1 KB)

Assistance and tools:

• Scale D medical cabinet
• Scale E medical cabinet
• Scale F first aid kit
• Scale G first aid kit

Sub-section C7B: Communications equipment

Current edition

Sub-section C7C: Navigation equipment

Current edition: 24 July 2018 (PDF 349.54 KB)

Assistance and tools: My Boat

Sub-section C7D: Anchoring systems

Current edition

Assistance and tools:—

Part D: Crew competencies

Current edition: 24 July 2018 (PDF 360.66 KB)

* Part D Crew competencies will be revoked on 1 January 2023.

See Marine Order 505 for crew competencies.

Assistance and tools:

• Guidance and syllabus

Part E: Operations

Part E Operations was revoked on 1 July 2018.

See marine order 504 for operation requirements for domestic commercial vessels.

Part F: Special vessels

Section F1: Fast craft

Sub-section F1A: General requirements for fast craft

Current edition: January 2018 (PDF 728.02 KB)

Assistance and tools:—

Sub-section F1B: Category F1 fast craft

Current edition: 1 July 2018 (PDF 274.22 KB)

Assistance and tools: My Boat

Sub-section F1C: Category F2 fast craft

Current edition: 24 July 2018 (PDF 827.64 KB)

Assistance and tools: My Boat

Section F2: Leisure craft

Current edition

Section F3: Novel vessels

Current policy statement: June 2022 (PDF 538.06 KB)

Assistance and tools: Read part B—General requirements

Section F4: Special purpose vessels

Current edition: N/A

Assistance and tools: contact us

Part G: Non survey vessels

Current edition

Assistance and tools: NSCV Part G: equipment guidance notices for non-surveyed vessels