There are laws against ship sourced pollution and those responsible may be prosecuted under state or territory legislation.
Commonwealth laws
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
- Protection of the Sea (Prevention from Pollution from Ships) Act 1983. This Act is administered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The Act implements the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) in Australian Commonwealth waters. Jurisdiction under this Act extends from three nautical miles out to the Australian exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles) and also applies within the three nautical miles limits where a state or territory government does not have complementary legislation.
State and territory legislation
New South Wales
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Queensland
Northern Territory
Last updated: 14 November 2023