Regulations and standards

Australia's maritime safety and protection of the sea laws implement international and national standards. These relate to ship construction, equipment, crew and vessel safety and seafarer employment.

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The national law, standards, and regulations

Find the Domestic Commercial Vessel National Law, the National Standard for Commercial Vessels, generic equivalent solutions, exemptions and the Uniform shipping laws code.

National Law Act 2012

We administer the national law, regulations and marine orders in implementing the national system.

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Navigation Act 2012

The Navigation Act 2012 is legislation which covers international ship and seafarer safety, protect...

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Calculator for limits of liability

This calculator displays the limit of liability under CLC92 and LLMC96 for oil pollution damage by...

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Legislation

Overview of the international and domestic legislation and standards that apply in Australia.

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Approach to regulatory action against certificates of competency

The National Law places obligations on maritime operators and other parties to ensure safety of...

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Guidance notices and fact sheets for domestic commercial vessel owners and operators

Find out more about complying with the national system if you are a domestic commercial vessel...

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Marine orders

Read all marine orders including marine orders under the national law and navigation acts.

National law exemptions

You can apply for an exemption from a national law requirement. You may do so when it is unreasonable to require full compliance or where transitional arragements are required.

Standards and generic equivalent solutions

Find the National Standards for Commercial Vessels, generic equivalent solutions, the Uniform Shipping Laws code, and International Safety Management code.

Marine notices

Find important safety related information, general guidance and changes to legislation on shipping and maritime issues.

What are marine orders

Marine orders can change or add to Australia's maritime laws. Find out how they are created, the conventions around marine orders, and view an index of all marine orders.

Regulations and standards

The national law, standards, and regulations

National Law Act 2012

Navigation Act 2012

Calculator for limits of liability

Legislation

Approach to regulatory action against certificates of competency

Guidance notices and fact sheets for domestic commercial vessel owners and operators

Marine orders

Index of marine orders

Marine order changes commencing January 2020

Marine order 1—Administration

Marine order 2—Australian International Shipping Register

Marine order 4—Transitional modifications

Marine order 11—Living and working conditions on vessels

Marine order 12—Construction—subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations

Marine order 15—Construction—fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction

Marine order 16—Load lines

Marine order 17—Chemical tankers and gas carriers

Marine order 18—Measures to enhance maritime safety

Marine order 19—Tonnage measurement

Marine order 21—Safety and emergency arrangements

Marine order 25—Equipment—lifesaving

Marine order 27—Safety of navigation and radio equipment

Marine order 28—Operations standards and procedures

Marine order 30—Prevention of collisions

Marine order 31—SOLAS and non-SOLAS certification

Marine order 32—Cargo handling equipment

Marine order 33—Cargo and cargo handling—grain

Marine order 34—Solid bulk cargoes

Marine order 35—Additional safety measures for bulk carriers

Marine order 41—Carriage of dangerous goods

Marine order 42—Carriage, stowage and securing of cargoes and containers

Marine order 43—Cargo and cargo handling—livestock

Marine order 44—Safe containers

Marine order 47—Offshore industry units

Marine order 49—High speed craft

Marine order 50—Special purpose vessels

Marine order 51—Fishing vessels

Marine order 52—Yachts and training vessels

Marine order 53—Vessels in polar waters

Marine order 54—Coastal pilotage

Marine order 57—Helicopter operations

Marine order 58—Safe management of vessels

Marine order 63—Vessel reporting systems

Marine order 64—Vessel traffic services

Marine order 70—Seafarer certification

Marine order 71—Masters and deck officers

Marine order 72—Engineer officers

Marine order 73—Ratings

Marine order 74—Masters and deck officers—yachts

Marine order 76—Health—medical fitness

Marine order 91—Marine pollution prevention—oil

Marine order 93—Marine pollution prevention—noxious liquid substances

Marine order 94—Marine pollution prevention—packaged harmful substances

Marine order 95—Marine pollution prevention—garbage

Marine order 96—Marine pollution prevention—sewage

Marine order 97—Marine pollution prevention—air pollution

Marine order 98—Marine pollution—anti-fouling systems

Marine order 501—Administration—national law

Marine order 502—Vessel identifiers—national law

Marine order 503—Certificates of survey—national law

Marine order 504—Certificates of operation and operation requirements—national law

Marine order 505—Certificates of competency—national law

Marine order 507—Load line certificates—national law

National law exemptions

National Law Act exemptions for marine orders

Exemption 1—Marine Safety (Vessel identifiers)

Exemption 2—Marine Safety (Certificates of survey)

Exemption 3—Marine Safety (Certificates of operation)

Exemption 4—Marine Safety (Recreational use)

Exemption 6—Marine Safety (Periodic survey, equipment certification and compass adjustment)

Exemption 7—Marine Safety (Temporary operations) Exemption

Exemption 8—Marine Safety (Temporary service)

Exemption 10—Marine Safety (Operation of fishing vessels)

Exemption 12—Marine Safety (Inland waters)

Exemption 13—Marine Safety (Wildlife or other sightseeing)

Exemption 14—Marine Safety (Sea rangers)

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

Exemption 16—Marine Safety (Traditional fishing)