The Australian Seafarers’ Welfare Council (ASWC) was established in 2013 to ensure the adequacy of existing welfare facilities and to assist in coordination of port/regional welfare committees.
The ASWC comprises representatives from:
- Australian Mariners Welfare Society
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority
- Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
- Hunterlink Employee Assistance Provider
- International Transport Workers’ Federation
- Maritime Industry Australia Limited (MIAL) (Formerly Australian Shipowners Association)
- Mission to Seafarers
- Ports Australia
- RightShip
- Shipping Australia Limited
- Stella Maris
- Tas Bull Seafarers Foundation
The ASWC meets on a quarterly basis. AMSA plays a leading (chairperson and secretariat) role in the work that ASWC aims to achieve.
Chair: Michelle Grech
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Email: michelle.grech@amsa.gov.au
Secretariat: ASWCsecretariat@amsa.gov.au
Provide leadership in the implementation of Australia's obligations on seafarers' welfare under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006
- Represent Australia internationally on seafarer welfare matters
- Promote awareness for the Australian Seafarers' Welfare Council, its role and vision
- Maintain contact with, and membership of, the International Seafarers’ Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN)
Assist in the establishment of a national network of seafarer support arrangements
- Encourage, support and guide the establishment of Port Welfare Committees
- Facilitate and promote a network of communication and cooperation between Port Welfare Committees and ASWC
Promote, encourage and support the delivery of seafarer welfare services at Australian Ports
- Identify seafarer needs and future welfare requirements in line with shipping and crew trends
- Promote the need for seafarers to be treated as valued and respected members of our port communities
- Assist in investigating ongoing funding opportunities that may assist in providing sustainable seafarer welfare services