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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Government Response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement

The Government's response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement's inquiry into the adequacy of aviation and maritime security measures to combat serious and organised crime at Australia's airports and seaports is now available. More information on this, and a copy of the Government's response are available to download from the page below.

• Government response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement

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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

Regulatory Changes to the Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) Scheme

On 1 December 2010, the following enhancements to the MSIC scheme took effect:

• background checks are conducted every two years with cards being valid for up to four years;
• a new offence to prosecute MSIC holders who fail to advise their MSIC issuing body or AusCheck if they have been convicted of a disqualifying offence or convicted of any other maritime security relevant offence and sentenced to imprisonment for that offence; and
• a new offence to prosecute MSIC issuing bodies that fail to suspend an MSIC at the direction of the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, or fail to cancel the MSIC if they have been advised by AusCheck that the holder is no longer eligible for a card due criminal offences.

This is in addition to the expansion of the list of offences that may preclude a person from eligibility for an MSIC to cover additional offences such as murder, use of prohibited explosives, making a bomb hoax, kidnapping and bribing a government official, which came into effect on 1 July 2010 (click here to read the Business Cost Calculator Report).

For further information, please see the MSIC fact sheets at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/maritime/factsheets/index.aspx

For any enquiries regarding the MSIC scheme, 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.

• International Ship Security Certificate Exemption [PDF: 450 KB] ISSC exemption application form [DOC: 78 KB]
• Different Categories of Ship [PDF: 288 KB]

• 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
  
  
  • Guidance Paper: Audit and Review [PDF: 442 KB]
    
    
  • 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
  
  
  • Mapping FAQ [PDF: 256 KB]
    
    
  • Guidance Paper: Mapping Standards for Ports [PDF: 555 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]

Maritime Screening Officers

This section contains guidance for competencies for screening officers, this is not regulatory policy and provides interim guidance only.

• Interim guidance paper for industry on competencies for screening officers (baseline requirements) [PDF: 607 KB]