You must hold a near coastal certificate of competency to operate a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) in Australia. Find the right certificate for you.

When operating in the marine environment, there are compliance requirements you must meet. These include safety requirements, regular vessel surveys, permits and certificates of operation.

When travelling by land, sea or air, a GPS-equipped distress beacon can mean all the difference in an emergency situation.

Under the National Plan, training is available for responders. These training courses make sure Commonwealth, state and territory responders are familiar with the national arrangements under which they work together in a maritime emergency.

There are aids and rules for navigating Australian coastal waters, particularly in sensitive sea areas. Coastal pilots and vessel traffic services aid in preventing incidents and restrictions apply to operating commercial fishing and offshore exploration and production activities.

As Australia’s national regulatory body, we promote the safety and protection of our marine environment and combat ship-sourced pollution. We provide the infrastructure for safety of navigation in Australian waters, and maintain a national search and rescue service for the maritime and aviation sectors.

Learn about the steps we’re taking in support of reconciliation.