The updates were developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure they are practical and effective. Here’s a snapshot of what’s changing:
Key changes
- Simplified SMS — Owners of some vessels under 7.5 metres will be eligible for a simplified SMS. Use our online simplified SMS tool to find out if the simplified SMS applies to you.
- Fatigue management — Vessel owners will need to identify and address the risk of master and crew fatigue in the vessel’s risk assessment. This does not apply to Class 4 vessels.
- Drug and alcohol policy — Vessel owners will need to have a drug and alcohol policy in the vessel’s SMS to manage the risks associated with drug and alcohol use.
- Cargo and dangerous goods — Vessels undertaking cargo operations, including the carriage of dangerous goods, will need to include a procedure in their SMS outlining how they manage the specific risks.
- Key operational procedures to be covered in every SMS — Class 1, 2 and 3 vessel owners will need to have procedures covering the key vessel operations in their SMS, if relevant.
- Vessel emergency plans — Loss of propulsion and oil or fuel spills will need to be covered in the vessel’s emergency plan, if relevant.
- Master and designated person responsibility statement — The master’s responsibility and authority statement has been clarified to better outline their authority and there is now a requirement to set out a designated person’s responsibility statement. Different rules may apply to vessels eligible to operate under a simplified SMS in certain circumstances.
- Assembly station requirements — Alternative assembly stations will only be required if reasonably practicable based on the vessel’s layout, characteristics and risk assessment. Different rules may apply to vessels eligible to operate under a simplified SMS.
- Record of vessel modifications — Vessel owners will need to identify risks to vessel stability in the vessel’s risk assessment and maintain a record of vessel modifications impacting stability. This does not apply to Class 4 vessels and different rules may apply to vessels eligible to operate under a simplified SMS.
What you need to do
View the Changes to safety management system requirements from 1 June 2025 page on our website to learn more about these changes, and how to implement relevant changes into your operation.
Subscribe to AMSA update to receive the latest SMS guidance and resources over coming months.
Start updating your SMS now but note that the simplified SMS and new assembly station requirements cannot be implemented before 1 June 2025.
Webinars
Register for the upcoming webinars to learn more:
From February 2025 we are hosting webinars on the following topics:
- Fatigue management
- Changes to safety management system requirements
- Simplified SMS.
Register your interest in attending.
Guidance and tools
Resources available to help implement the changes:
- Online simplified SMS tool — check if you are eligible for the simplified SMS.
- Simplified SMS flowchart — use this flowchart to determine your eligibility for the simplified SMS.
- Guidance for developing:
Note: More resources, including to help develop and implement a simplified SMS will be released over coming months.
Help us improve SMS guidance
We're enhancing the tools and resources you need for efficient and effective safety management systems. Over the coming months, we’ll be gathering insights from operators and crew to make guidance clearer and more practical. Want to contribute to this important work? Sign up today!