Our regulatory approach

In undertaking our statutory role, we will ensure our compliance activities are risk-based, streamlined, and proportionate to the risks being managed.

We will apply a systems-safety approach to understand and address safety issues by considering all factors contributing to an incident. Our approach will examine and consider broader factors including on board conditions, environmental influences, organisational constraints, and other safety factors.

By using a data-driven approach we will ensure greater consistency in the collection, categorisation, and analysis of safety data. It will help to inform more effective, and integrated prevention activities to address safety issues of concern.

This approach involves:

• Undertaking compliance assessments based on relevant information and intelligence analysis. 
• Identifying current and emerging compliance risks. 
• Developing innovative and targeted strategies to effectively address safety and compliance priorities. 
• Implementing targeted strategies using a planned approach with clear goals and using the full range of tools available. 

AMSA is committed to continuous improvement, as part of best practice regulation. Our National Compliance Plan is periodically reviewed to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness.  Additionally, the National Compliance Plan is a key element in fostering continuous improvement in maritime safety.

Our compliance approach is underpinned by the principles in AMSA’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy, Compliance Strategy 2023-2027, and the Statement of Regulatory Approach 2022.