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About our regulatory program
Our annual regulatory program is designed to continuously improve AMSA’s regulatory framework.
Publishing a regulatory program makes it easier for business and the community to take part in the development of our regulatory instruments, such as marine orders and the National Standard for Commercial Vessels.
The regulatory program contains information on consultation on legislative or other action planned during the current financial year that could lead to changes in our regulatory instruments.
It covers the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
While AMSA works hard to deliver the program as published, there may be unforeseen delays to consultation or implementation for amended instruments, including from consultation feedback, resourcing constraints or other work priorities. There may also be some regulatory activities that we are unable to forecast at the time the program is published. As such, proposed instruments in the regulatory program 2025-26 should be considered indicative only. In all cases, however, significant regulatory changes will involve consultation with affected parties and will be recorded in future regulatory programs.
Please direct any queries about our regulatory program to maritimesafetysystems@amsa.gov.au.
2025-26 program
Regulations made under the Navigation Act 2012
| Project title | Instrument(s) | Project summary |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibiting the use or storage of fire extinguishing media containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) for new vessels | Marine Order 15 – Construction – fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction Marine Order 49 – High speed craft | This regulatory change will give effect to mandatory changes to the Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter II-2 and High Speed Craft (HSC) Code which prohibits the use or storage of fire extinguishing media containing PFOS in new vessels constructed on or after 1 January 2026. The amendments to SOLAS enter into force on 1 January 2026. |
| The application of the Load Lines Convention to all applicable Australian vessels on overseas voyages, and the International Tonnage Convention to Domestic Commercial Vessels (DCVs) | Marine Order 16 – Load lines Marine Order 19 – Tonnage measurement | This regulatory change will clarify that when an Australian recreational vessel is operating as a commercial yacht and becomes a regulated Australian vessel, it is subject to the Load Lines Convention. It will also provide an option for a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) owner to apply for an International Tonnage Certificate (where they choose to). |
| Maximum lowering speed for launching appliances using falls and a winch | Marine Order 25 – Equipment –lifesaving | This regulatory change will give effect to mandatory amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code which is incorporating a maximum lowering speed for launching appliances using falls and a winch. Amendments to the LSA Code enter into force on 1 January 2026. |
| Danger messaging requirements relating to the loss of freight containers | Marine Order 27 - Safety of navigation and radio equipment | This regulatory change will give effect to mandatory amendments to Regulations 31 and 32 of SOLAS Chapter V, in relation to danger messaging requirements regarding the loss of freight containers. The amendments to SOLAS enter into force on 1 January 2026. |
| Prescribed alcohol limit | Marine Order 28 – Operations standards and procedures | This regulatory change will give effect to mandatory amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 (STCW Code) which prescribe an alcohol limit. |
| Installation of onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches | Marine Order 32 – Cargo handling equipment Marine Order 12 – Construction – subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installations | This regulatory change will give effect to new requirements in SOLAS Chapter II-1 in relation to standards for the design, construction and installation of all onboard lifting appliances and anchor handling winches. The amendments to SOLAS enter into force on 1 January 2026. |
| Disapplication of the Navigation Act 2012 to offshore industry units | Marine Order 47 – Offshore industry units | This regulatory change will give effect to SOLAS regulations that will be applied to offshore facilities, through working with the offshore energy regulator to develop new rules under the Navigation Act. This will ensure aligned frameworks for regulating offshore facilities. |
| Navigation and voyage planning for non-SOLAS vessels operating in polar waters | Marine Order 53 – Vessels in polar waters | This regulatory change will deliver strengthened effect to mandatory amendments to the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), providing requirements for navigation and voyage planning for non-SOLAS vessels operating in polar waters. The Polar Code amendments enter into force on 1 January 2026. |
| Strengthen the regulation of Coastal Pilotage | Marine Order 54 – Coastal pilotage | This project will deliver strengthened regulatory arrangements for coastal pilotage in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait strengthened to ensure they remain fit for purpose in helping to protect a particularly sensitive sea area from a shipping incident. |
Regulations made under the Protection of the Sea (POTS) Act 1983
| Project title | Instrument(s) | Project summary |
|---|---|---|
| Pollution prevention in relation to noxious liquid substances | Marine Order 93 – Marine pollution prevention – noxious liquid substances | This regulatory change will give effect to mandatory changes to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), such as electronic record keeping. |
Regulations made under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012
| Project title | Instrument(s) | Project summary |
|---|---|---|
| Limited scope review of Certificate of Survey requirements | Marine Order 503 – Certificates of Survey Exemption 02 Exemption 06 Exemption 07 Exemption 39 Exemption 40 Exemption 41 Exemption 44 | This project will review current Certificate of Survey requirements to address workability issues, clarify requirements for novel vessels, and include a reporting/registration requirement for grandfathered vessels. |
| Develop guidance on safety requirements for low-risk battery electric propulsion | New industry guidelines | This project will investigate maximum battery storage capacity for a vessel to be considered conventional. The intended outcome is to create clear guidelines that outline standards, usage categories, and operational areas for the safe adoption of battery electric technology. |
| Review safety equipment carriage standards for DCVs in survey | National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) – Part C7A – Safety equipment | This project will review the safety equipment carriage standards for DCVs in survey to ensure requirements are contemporary, risk based and appropriate for the size of the vessel. It will also review the standards for key survival equipment including lifejackets and life rafts. |
| Review of Novel Vessel Policy Statement (NVPS) | NVPS Marine Order 503 – Certificates of Survey Various parts of the NSCV Marine Surveyor Guidance Manual | This project will review and revise the NVPS to include an alternative means of assurance, with defined risk criteria, to facilitate the safe adoption of novel technologies. |
| Review of fire safety requirements for DCVs in survey | NSCV – Part C4 – Fire safety | This project will address safety issues by incorporating fire safety measures into NSCV Part C4 to accommodate small lithium-ion battery installations. |
| Recognised Island Determination | NSCV – Part B (Recognised islands) Determination 2016 | This project involves amending the Recognised Island Determination to include Norfolk Island, so that regulatory requirements to apply around the island are more aligned to the environmental conditions and reflective of risk. |
Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act
| Project title | Instrument(s) | Project summary |
|---|---|---|
| Review of AMSA Fees Determinations for Service | AMSA Fees Determination 2015 | This project involves working collaboratively with the Department to review AMSA’s existing fees for service and to progress amendments to the AMSA Fees Determination. |
- 2026-28 planned program
This section outlines AMSA’s indicative regulatory priorities for the 2026–28 period. These are forward looking and subject to change.
Regulations made under the Navigation Act 2012
Project title Instrument(s) Project summary Administration – Definitions and provisions which apply to all marine orders Marine Order 01 – Administration This review will ensure the Marine Order is fit for purpose and in line with modern drafting, noting it has not been reviewed since 2013. Improving standards for the welfare of seafarers Marine Order 11 – Living and working conditions on vessels This project will give effect to mandatory changes agreed by the International Labour Organization to the Maritime Labour Convention, including in relation to sexual harassment and bullying, and repatriation. Measures to enhance maritime safety Marine Order 18 – Measures to enhance maritime safety This project will review the Marine Order to ensure the regulations remain fit for purpose, noting the Order has not been reviewed since 2013. Safety measures for bulk carriers Marine Order 35 – Additional safety measures for bulk carriers This review will ensure that the safety measures for bulk carriers in relation to structural, stability, and other safety requirements remain fit for purpose and reflect modern safety standards. Helicopter and ship operations Marine Order 57 – Helicopter operations This regulatory change will reflect the updated International Chamber of Shipping Guide to Helicopter Operations. The marine order is due to sunset on 1 October 2026. Regulations made under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012
Project title Instrument(s) Project summary Risk-based review of requirements for hire and drive vessels Marine Order 503 – Certificates of survey
Marine Order 504 – Certificates of operation and operation requirements
Marine Order 505 – Certificates of competency
NSCV – Part F2 – Leisure craft
NSCV – Part G – Non-survey vessels
Exemption 02
Exemption 22
Exemption 48
The hire and drive sector is diverse, ranging from small human powered craft to luxury yachts. This project will review the suitability and clarity of regulatory requirements applicable to hire and drive vessels across marine orders, standards and exemptions. The review may consider arrangements for tenders, personal watercraft (PWC) licencing and house rafts. Review design, construction and equipment standards for non-survey vessels NSCV – Part G – Non-survey vessels
Exemption 02
The project will review and update design, construction and equipment standards for approximately 18,000 non-survey vessels. This will include aligning with NSCV C7A (where appropriate). Review of standards for communications and navigation equipment NSCV – Part C7B – Communications equipment
NSCV – Part C7C – Navigation equipment
The project will address policy issues relating to prescribed standards for communications. It will also consider the requirements for modernised navigation equipment for new and existing DCVs. Targeted review of several NSCV Parts to address known issues NSCV – Part B – General requirements
NSCV – Part C3 - Construction
NSCV – Part C5A - Machinery
NSCV – Part C6A – Intact stability requirements
NSCV – Part C6B – Buoyancy and stability after flooding
The project will address known minor errors and ambiguities contained in several parts of the NSCV, including general requirements, construction, machinery and intact stability requirements. Review of the Marine Surveyor Accreditation scheme National Law Act
National Law Regulations
Potential for a new National Law marine order
This is a multi-year project that involves working collaboratively with stakeholders to review and re-design a fit-for-purpose accredited marine surveyor accreditation scheme.
It may require amendment to the National Law Act, the National Law Regulations and/or marine orders.
- Completed program 2024-25
The completed program shows the regulatory changes that have been completed during 2024-25.
Project Description of action Date of effect Marine Order 11 - Living and working conditions on vessels AMSA is undertaking a review to give effect to the 2022 mandatory amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention which enter into force in December 2024. 23 December 2024 Marine Order 91 - Marine pollution prevention - oil AMSA is undertaking a review to give effect to mandatory amendments to Annex I (Oil) of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The review will provide for the use of electronic record books and issue of exemption certificates to uncrewed non-self-propelled barges for certain survey and certification requirements. 24 February 2025 Marine Order 504 – Certificate of operation and operational requirements AMSA is progressing a project to improve the safety outcomes of using the safety management system (SMS) and ensuring that it is practical, clear, and easy to use. The project involves the review and remaking of Marine Order 504. 1 June 2025