Offshore Oil & Gas Security

Australia's Offshore Oil and Gas Security Framework

In 2003 the Maritime Transport Security Act 2003 (MTSA) was introduced to help safeguard Australia's domestic and international sea trade, our maritime assets, and our citizens. Under this act the Australian Government regulates the security arrangements of Australian ports, port facilities, and ships. It was amended in 2005 and renamed the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 to establish the legislative basis for approving security plans for offshore oil and gas facilities.

In 2004 the Australian Government Taskforce on Offshore Maritime Security concluded the need to security regulate the offshore oil and gas industry. The offshore oil and gas industry is important to Australia's economy, and it is therefore necessary to safeguard Australia's offshore oil and gas supplies, by preventing any adverse impacts on this industry.

Following the recommendations of the Taskforce, the Australian Government decided to security regulate Australia's offshore oil and gas industry. The Maritime Transport Security Amendment Act 2005 received Royal Assent on 26 June 2005. The Act renames the Maritime Transport Security Act 2003 as the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003. The amended Act and Regulations under it establish the legislative basis for approving security plans for offshore oil and gas facilities. The Office of Transport Security oversees the implementation, development, and assessment of offshore oil and gas industry security plans.