Monday 16 June 2025
Some changes for emergency service vessels will come into effect on 1 July 2025. Find out if you’re affected and how to comply.
About exemption 24
From 1 July 2025 an updated Exemption 24 – Marine Safety (Emergency service vessels) 2025 will take effect.
The updates introduce a standardised way to manage crew competency requirements for volunteer emergency services.
The exemption applies to operating emergency service vessels. It includes those used by:
- volunteer marine rescue (VMR)
- state emergency services (SES)
- volunteer fire services.
Key changes
- Consistent competency requirements: expanding VMR crewing allowances to cover other volunteer emergency services, including SES and fire services.
- Simplified crew sharing: making it easier to sharing crew members between volunteer groups.
- Specific training for larger vessels: introducing new training for vessels 12 to 24 metres long.
- Updated validated trainer requirements: providing more flexibility for organisations that are not registered training organisations
- Clearer permitted activities: providing more detail on what’s allowed under the exemption.
- Reduced radio competency requirements: lowering radio competency requirements for operations conducted closer to shore.
- Standardised certification requirements: removing unnecessary certificate of survey allowances, ensuring all vessels meet the same Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV) certification standards.
- Changing exemption applications: replacing AMSA792 with the specific exemption (SPEX) process.
Transition timeline
Emergency services will have time to transition to the new requirements.
- Until 1 July 2025: current rules still apply.
- From 1 July 2025: all volunteer emergency service organisations and volunteers can operate under the revised exemption. AMSA 792 applications will no longer be used.
- From 1 July 2026: Vessels 12 metres and over must meet the new training standards.
Find out more
- Learn more about the changes, if they apply to your operation and how to comply
- Stay informed about regulatory developments by subscribing to AMSA updates
- The exemption was developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, including an industry reference group, with public consultation held in late 2024. Read more in the consultation feedback report.