AMSA will be closed from 5 pm AEDT Tuesday 24 December 2024, re-opening on Thursday 2 January 2025. Our search and rescue will continue to operate every day (24/7) during this time. See which services are affected.

Regulations and standards

Australia's maritime safety and protection of the sea laws implement international and national standards. These relate to ship construction, equipment, crew and vessel safety and seafarer employment.

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The national law and regulations

Find the Domestic Commercial Vessel National Law, the Navigation Act and regulations.

Marine orders

Read all marine orders including marine orders under the national law and navigation acts.

National law exemptions


You can apply for an exemption from a national law requirement. You may do so when it is unreasonable to require full compliance or where transitional arrangements are required.

Standards and generic equivalent solutions

Find the National Standards for Commercial Vessels, generic equivalent solutions, the Uniform Shipping Laws code, and International Safety Management code.

Marine notices


Find important safety related information, general guidance and changes to legislation on shipping and maritime issues.

What are marine orders

Marine orders can change or add to Australia's maritime laws. Find out how they are created, the conventions around marine orders, and view an index of all marine orders.

Regulations and standards


Our maritime safety and protection of the sea laws implement international and national standards.