Domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) are 'workplaces' under state and territory WHS laws.  

DCV operators need to understand and comply with obligations under: 

• WHS laws - administered by WHS regulators 
• the National Law - administered by AMSA. 

Note: If a DCV complies with the National Law (for example it’s in survey with AMSA), it does not mean that its operation complies with WHS laws, and vice versa.  

DCV operators need to make sure they comply with all relevant laws. 

About the work health and safety laws

WHS laws exist to keep everyone safe at work.  

WHS laws apply to: 

• employers 
• employees 
• contractors. 

WHS laws may also apply to: 

• volunteers 
• visitors. 

The laws impose a ‘duty’ (or legal obligation) on people in a workplace. Under WHS laws, people may be obligated to identify and remove or minimise risks, where it’s reasonable.

Other requirements under work health and safety laws

State and territory WHS laws impose specific requirements regarding certain hazardous work processes and areas. This includes on: 

• worker representation and consultation
• risk and workplace management 
• hazardous work tasks including: noise, manual tasks, confined space entry, falls from height, scaffolding
• high risk work licensing including: lifting, forklift, scaffolding, asbestos, energised electrical work, pressure vessels (boilers)
• diving work  
• electrical (in some states is separate legislation) 
• plant and structures 
• construction work (including dredging) 
• hazardous chemicals, dangerous goods 
• incident/injury/near miss reporting (in addition to AMSAs incident reporting requirements). 

For more information on specific requirements under WHS laws contact the WHS regulator in your state or territory. 

State and territory WHS regulators

Australian Maritime Safety Authority – 1800 627 484 
NT WorkSafe – 1800 019 115 
SafeWork ACT – 13 22 81 
SafeWork NSW – 131 050 
SafeWork South Australia - 1300 365 255 
WorkSafe Queensland – 1300 362 128 
WorkSafe Tasmania - 1300 366 322 
WorkSafe Victoria – 1800 136 089 
WorkSafe WA - 1300 307 877

AMSA has an MOU with the state and territory WHS regulators.

National Maritime WHS Regulators Forum 

The National Maritime WHS Regulators Forum is a collaborative platform for discussing maritime WHS issues. Its main aim is to improve safety for domestic commercial vessels.  

Find out more about the forum.