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.

Flag State administration

An administration offering ship registration—as Australia does—is referred to as a flag State. As a flag State administration, we are responsible for making sure Australian-owned and Australian-registered ships comply with international conventions in Australian waters and overseas. You may also be interested in domestic commercial vessel inspections

Flag state administration in Australia

As a flag State, we are responsible for making sure all ships flying our flag and holding Australian nationality comply with international conventions.

Regulated Australian vessels

Regulated Australian vessels are commercial vessels which operate outside of the Australian exclusive economic zone. In addition to flag State administration controls, these vessels are subject to the Navigation Act, but not the National Law.

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