Maritime Security

The Australian Government has implemented a maritime security regime to help safeguard Australia's maritime transport system and offshore facilities from terrorism and unlawful interference. Under this regime all security regulated ports, port facilities, offshore facilities, port and offshore service providers and ships undertake security risk assessments and implement security plans to address identified risks.

Following 11 September 2001, the international community resolved to implement a system to secure the maritime transport sector against the threat of terrorism. The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by December 2002, was the result.

The Australian Government developed the Maritime Transport Security Act 2003 to implement the ISPS Code in Australia. Both the ISPS Code and the Act came into effect on 1 July 2004.

In 2005 the Act was extended and renamed the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 (MTOFSA). The amended Act, and Regulations under it, establish the legislative basis for also approving security plans for offshore oil and gas facilities.

International developments and a number of reviews have led to changes and refinements in the legislation underpinning the maritime security regime.

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Maritime Security Discussion Forum

Maritime Security Discussion Forum is a pilot project developed to enable working group members to better access and comment on maritime security discussion papers out of session. This is a secure site that requires a username and password.

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Maritime Security Notice

Security Regulated Australian Ships: Protective security arrangements for transiting through the waters surrounding the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Coast (2-08) [PDF: 164 KB]

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Latest News

Announcement of Changes to the Maritime Security Identification Card Scheme (New)

On 29 January 2010 the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Minister Albanese, announced changes to the MSIC scheme. The changes tighten the eligibility criteria for the issue of an MSIC by increasing the number of criminal offence types that preclude an individual from obtaining an MSIC. The validity period of an MSIC will be reduced from five years to four, with background checking to be required every two years instead of every five years. The changes will also see new offences created for MSIC holders who fail to advise their card issuing body of additions to their criminal record and any sentences of imprisonment imposed as a result. MSIC issuing bodies will also be required to take appropriate action on receipt of this new maritime security relevant offence information.

The Office of Transport Security (OTS) in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (the Department) recently completed a review into the MSIC scheme.  The main finding of the review was that adjustments were needed to the MSIC eligibility criteria in the current maritime security risk context which includes the threat of trusted insiders.  This review considered policy input form a range of key stakeholders including maritime industry participants, law enforcement agencies, employee representative groups, criminologists and security experts.  The regulatory proposals flowing from the review form the basis of the amendments package. 

On 1 July 2010, the new MSIC eligibility criteria offence categories take effect.  All MSIC applications and renewals will be background checked against the new offence eligibility criteria.  MSIC applicants found ineligible will be able to appeal under the current appeal arrangements.  Current MSIC holders found ineligible under the new offence criteria, will be able to appeal to the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, with the Secretary considering the MSIC applicants criminal history both before and after the issue of the previous MSIC.

From 1 December 2010, the MSIC validity period will be reduced from five to four years; a background check will be required to be performed every two years; issuing bodies will be required to suspend an MSIC when a MSIC holder has been convicted of  a maritime security relevant offence and has not yet been sentenced for the conviction; penalties will take effect for MSIC holders failing to report a conviction of a maritime security relevant offence to their issuing body or AusCheck and issuing bodies for failing to cancel or suspend an MSIC.

Please see the factsheet [PDF: 102 KB] for more information.  For any inquiries regarding the changes please contact idsecurity@infrastructure.gov.au

Further Information

Maritime Security Overview: 'Strengthening Maritime Security' Guide

The 'Strengthening Maritime Security' guide [PDF: 2538 KB] provides maritime industry participants and other stakeholders with a plain English guide to the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 and the associated regulations. This guide has been revised in 2008.

• Maritime Security Incident Reporting

  This section provides information on the form and manner in which to report maritime security incidents and events.

• International and Australian Maritime Security Legislation

  • International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)
    This section provides a link to the ISPS Code developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Part A of the Code is mandatory and is implemented in Australia through MTOFSA, Part B contains guidance on how to best comply with the mandatory requirements.

  • Australian Maritime Security Legislation and Regulation
    This section contains information on, as well as links to, the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003.

• Preparing or Amending a Security Plan

  • Security Risk Context Statements
    This section shows information on Security Risk Context Statements which provide the maritime and offshore industry sectors with information on the strategic risk context for their sector and the current security environment in Australia.

  • Security Plans for Maritime Industry Participants
    This section provides information and guidance material on maritime, ship and offshore security plans.

    All security regulated ports, port facilities, offshore facilities, port and offshore services providers and ships are required to undertake risk assessments and implement security plans to address identified risks.

  • Varying and Revising Security Plans
    This section contains guidance on varying and revising plans as well as sample forms which can be used to request the Secretary to vary or revise a security plan.

• Producing or Amending Maps for a Maritime Security Plan

  • Guidance Paper: Mapping Standards for Ports [PDF: 477 KB]

  • Guidance Paper on Signage for Maritime Security Zones
    The signage paper is designed to assist maritime industry participants to meet their obligation of informing the public that a maritime security zone is in force.[PDF: 461 KB]

  • How do I Change my Maps?
    This paper is designed to assist maritime industry participants in updating their Geoscience Australia maps [PDF: 453 KB]

• Maritime Security Identification Cards
  This section contains information on Maritime Security Identification Cards (MSICs). The MSIC is a nationally consistent identification card which shows that the holder has met the minimum security requirements to remain unmonitored within a maritime security zone.

• Secure Maritime Security Website
  This section provides information and guidance to assist maritime industry participants and other stakeholders with their understanding of the maritime security environment and fulfilling their roles and responsibilities under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 and associated Regulations. Please note that this section is restricted and requires a username and password.

  Industry participants with a valid security plan may request a logon by contacting 'transport.security@infrastructure.gov.au'.

Maritime Security Guards

This section contains fact sheets that provides information on:

• The roles and powers of Maritime Security Guards (MSGs) [PDF: 151 KB].
• The competencies required of Maritime Security Guards (MSGs) [PDF: 451 KB].