AMSA will close from 5 pm AEDT Wednesday 24 December 2025, re-opening on Friday 2 January 2026. Our search and rescue team will continue to operate every day (24/7). See which services are affected.

National Search and Rescue Council

The National Search and Rescue Council is a cooperative body that is responsible for the national search and rescue response arrangements in Australia.

The Council members are from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Australian Defence Force and state, territory and federal police.

These organisations signed an Inter‑Governmental Agreement confirming its role as the national coordinating body for search and rescue.