We have a fee for service arrangement to recover the costs associated with delivery of the following services:
- Accreditation of marine surveyors
- Assessment of applications for specific exemptions
- Assessment of applications for equivalent means of compliance
The fees have been developed in accordance with the Australian Government's Cost Recovery Guidelines and the Australian Government Charging Framework.
Surveyor Accreditation Scheme fees
Application fee for accreditation
To become accredited in a category or categories of surveying, there is a fixed fee payable on lodgement of an application. This fee must be paid upfront. We cannot commence work on your application before this fee is paid in full.
Fees to apply for a specific exemption or equivalent means of compliance
When you make an application for these services, you will receive an estimate of costs based on the hourly rate to process and issue any permission or authority associated with the service. An estimate depends on the complexity of the regulatory, technical, operational and other matters that have to be considered in each application.
These business rules have been developed based on experience of the time taken to process specific exemptions and equivalent means of compliance. We follow internal business rules to ensure the process is fair and consistent.
Hourly rates apply (this service does not attract any GST). See fees for certificate services—domestic commercial vessel safety.
When providing the estimate we will also provide a list of documents required to support your application.
If you wish to proceed you will be required to:
- pay the estimate
- submit the list of supporting documents (if requested).
The assessment of your application will only commence when we have received your payment and all supporting documents. Your payment is non-refundable and we cannot guarantee that your application will be successful. If we refuse your request for a specific exemption or equivalent means of compliance, your fees will not be refunded to you.
It is important that you document and explain the detail of the specific exemption or equivalent means of compliance you are seeking. This should include any necessary drawings or references to codes or standards which support your application. It is not appropriate for us to develop your proposal for you. Should additional information be required this may result in a change to the estimate. Read our policy about exemptions from the domestic commercial vessel national law.
Estimates
An estimate is calculated on the basis that you have reasonable knowledge of:
- Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012
- Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Regulation 2013
- associated marine orders, exemptions and vessel standards.
You will also provide a reasonable standard of documentation necessary to support the application.
An estimate is valid for 30 days from the date the estimate is sent. As you have the choice to not continue, we will not invoice you but will be provide you with a receipt should you choose to accept and pay the initial amount.
If we have not received your payment and any supporting documents required within 30 days, your application will be closed and returned to you.
If payment of the estimate is made outside the 30-day period, we will review the estimate to ensure it is still accurate.
Finalising the amount payable
The amount we charge for a service will depend on the actual amount of time taken to do the necessary work, therefore:
- If the amount initially paid is insufficient to cover the actual time taken to determine the application—we may request a further payment to complete the work.
- If the amount initially paid (plus any subsequent payments) is higher than the actual time taken by us to determine the application—we will refund the difference.
Reviewing the decision
If you disagree with our decision, you can request a review. Decisions relating to surveyor accreditation, specific exemptions and equivalent means of compliance may be internally reviewed on application.
Expired exemptions
If you had a specific exemption which has expired, you will need to make a new application if you still believe that you require it. More information is available in our exemption policy PDF370.72 KB.
If you apply for a specific exemption you will be provided with a quote of the estimated hours it will take to assess your application. An hourly assessment fee will be included in the quote.
