The Domestic Surveyor Accreditation Scheme came into effect on 2 January.
AMSA standards manager Adam Brancher said the scheme would ensure people are competent to conduct and provide survey reports for domestic commercial vessels under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 across Australia.
'For the first time in Australia, domestic commercial vessel surveyors will now operate under a single consistent arrangement,' Mr Brancher said.
The scheme applies to government and non-government accredited marine surveyors. Existing government and private marine surveyors need to submit their applications before 31 December 2015 for their current attestation to be recognised under the new scheme.
'We encourage surveyors to submit their applications as soon as possible,' Mr Brancher said.
New government and private marine surveyors are required to complete applications for accreditation and will be assessed by AMSA under the scheme.
Mr Brancher said applications would be assessed on merit, taking into account appropriate qualifications, capabilities and experience.
AMSA consulted extensively with various state and territory maritime agencies and representative bodies ahead of the scheme’s implementation.
A series of information sessions will be held in Cairns on 10 February, Noosa on 11 February and the Gold Coast on 13 February.
Please note these information sessions were held in 2015. Further information on the scheme and how to make an application is available on our website.