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.

  • How flag State administration works in Australia

    As a flag State, AMSA are responsible for making sure Australian ships comply with relevant…
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  • Australian regulation of yachts and training vessels, and the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Part A

    The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Part A updates the Red Ensign Group Large Yacht Code (LY3 Code) and…
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  • Use of the term dispensation

    Our organisation has observed that a number of Administrations are issuing dispensations to ships…
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  • Detention of Australian ships

    Australian-flagged ships which are detained by foreign port State control authorities overseas must…
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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.

  • What is a regulated Australian vessel?

    Your vessel may be considered a regulated Australian vessel (RAV).
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  • Revoking regulated Australian vessel status

    If you are no longer carrying out commercial operations outside the Australian exclusive economic…
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  • Vessels declared not to be regulated Australian vessels

    View the list of vessels declared not to be regulated Australian vessels (RAVs) under section 19 of…
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  • Safe crewing (manning) for vessels

    We are responsible for ensuring that regulated Australian vessels are safely crewed* and that…
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  • International Safety Management code

    The International safety management code (ISM code) governs the safe operation of ships and…
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  • Declared vessels operating up to 600 nautical miles from the Australian coast

    Rules and conditions for vessels declared to not be regulated Australian vessels.
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  • ISM Code certification guidelines for regulated Australian vessels

    The guidelines describe how the International management code for the safe operation of ships and…
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  • Sea trials for vessels built in Australia

    Instructions where an Australian commercial vessel under construction is req
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  • Bringing a vessel to Australia or going on an overseas voyage

    If you're planning to bring a vessel to Australia, or take a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) on an…
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  • Provide us with your vessel details

    Notify AMSA that you're bringing a vessel to Australia or going on an overseas voyage.
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