Marine order 504—Certificates of operation and operation requirements—national law

Marine order 504 includes:

• application requirements for a certificate of operation
• criteria which must be met for AMSA to issue or renew a certificate of operation
• conditions on a certificate of operation
• requirements for renewing, varying, suspending and revoking a certificate of operation
• application requirements for temporary crewing permits
• safety management system and operation requirements
• additional operational requirements for Class 4 hire and drive vessels
• key definitions.

An updated version of Marine Order 504 comes into effect on 1 June 2025. For more information read our news story.

Download the updated Marine Order 504.

Any mention of Marine Order 501 (Administration — national law) 2013 in this Marine Order should be taken to mean Marine Order 501 (Administration — national law) 2023, in line with the updated legislation. See Marine Orders Amendment (Marine Order 501 — consequential changes) Order 2023 for details.

Legislation and incorporated material

• Marine order 501 (Administration—national law)
• Marine safety (Domestic commercial vessel) National Law Act 2012
• Marine safety (Domestic commercial vessel) National Law Regulation 2013
• National Standard for Commercial Vessels
• International safety management (ISM) code

Exemptions which may apply

• Exemption 03 – Marine Safety (Certificates of operation)
• Exemption 04 – Marine Safety (Recreational use)
• Exemption 07 – Marine Safety (Temporary operations)
• Exemption 41 – Marine Safety (Unpowered barges)
• Exemption 24 – Marine Safety (Emergency services vessels)

Related content

• Regulatory changes aimed to improve passenger safety
• Certificates of operation
• Crewing guidance for domestic commercial vessels
• Fees for certificate services—domestic commercial vessel safety
• General safety duties for domestic commercial vessels
• Infringement notices
• National Law Act marine orders for domestic commercial vessels
• National law exemptions for marine orders for domestic commercial vessels
• Safety management systems
• Temporary crewing permits

Application

• Application for a certificate of operation (AMSA 504)
• Application for temporary crewing (AMSA 779)
• Application to suspend or revoke a certificate or approval (AMSA 600)
• Application to vary a certificate of operation (AMSA 549)

Policy and Regulation