A certificate of survey is evidence that a vessel has been surveyed and meets specified standards for design, construction, stability and safety equipment that apply to the vessel.
These standards are set out in Marine Order 503 (Certificate of Survey – national law) 2018. For some kinds of vessels, these requirements are modified by our general exemptions.
Access the My Boat system for guidance on how to keep your vessel compliant.
If your vessel is required to have a certificate of survey, the standards that apply to it depend on which of the categories below the vessel belongs to.
All vessels must be surveyed according to the schedule laid out in marine order 503.
Some vessels are required to have a load line certificate issued under marine order 507. These vessels will need to comply with the load lines convention or section 7 of the Uniform Shipping Laws Code.
A new survey regime applies from 1 July 2018.
- Existing vessels
Under section 22 of marine order 503, a vessel is an ‘existing vessel’ if the vessel fits within one of the following elements:
Vessel Elements Vessel that was constructed before 1 July 2013 The vessel was:
- entitled, or was issued with a survey certificate to operate in connection with a commercial, governmental or research activity, for the two-year period ending on 30 June 2013.
- entitled to operate, or the survey certificate issued to the vessel, was provided for under an Australian state, territory or Commonwealth law.
- not a foreign vessel at any time in the two-year period.
Vessel that was being constructed on 30 June 2013 - Design approval for the vessel was lodged and approved before 1 July 2013 for use in connection with a commercial, governmental or research activity.
- The vessel has been used in connection with a commercial, governmental or research activity in the two-year period after its completion, if construction is complete.
Vessel that had not commenced construction before 1 July 2013 - The vessel was being constructed on 30 June 2016.
- The vessel has design approval that was lodged before 1 July 2013, and subsequently approved, for use in connection with a commercial, governmental or research activity.
- It has been used in connection with a commercial, governmental or research activity in the two-year period after its completion, if construction is complete.
The summary of standards for existing vessels, new vessels, and transitional vessels table outlines the application standards and survey requirements for existing vessels.
- Transitional vessels
Transitional vessels are existing vessels which have been altered or modified, changed operations or the geographical area of operation.
Under marine order 503 a ‘transitional vessel’ is an existing vessel that has:
- had any of the changes set out in Schedule 1 of marine order 503, or
- had a certificate of survey that ceased to be in force for a period of at least two years.
Transitional vessels can meet an alternative set of standards instead of complying with the full requirements that apply to new vessels. The standards that apply to a transitional vessel depend on what changes have been made.
This concept flowchart shows the types of changes that if made to an existing vessel will result in it being a transitional vessel.
The alternative standards that apply to transitional vessels are set out in schedule 2 of marine order 503. Alternatively, a transitional vessel can voluntarily meet the standards in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels and specific parts of the Uniform Shipping Laws Code that apply to new vessels.
The summary of standards for existing vessels, new vessels, and transitional vessels table outlines survey requirements for transitional vessels.
Examples of transitional vessels
The following scenario gives an example of the standards that will apply to a transitional vessel based on the change made.
Examples Current certification Existing vessel that is a Class 2 work boat built to USL Code operating in partially smooth waters.
Vessel has been operating commercially as a class 2 vessel since 2010 and has had a survey certificate in force for the vessel since that time.
Proposed change Vessel owner proposes to use the vessel as a class 1 passenger vessel (more than 12 passengers) with overnight operations.
This change is an upgrade in service category and operations.
A change of this kind is listed in schedule 1 of marine order 503. This means the vessel becomes a transitional vessel.
Standards Clause 1 of schedule 2: a vessel that becomes transitional in these circumstances can comply with the standards in Table 1 of schedule 2 of marine order 503.
The vessel needs to be upgraded so that it meets the following standards necessary for a passenger vessel (in addition to continuing to comply with relevant Sections and Sub-sections of the USL Code specified in Table 1):
Arrangement, accommodation and personal safety—NSCV Part C1
Fire safety—NSCV Part C4
Electrical—RCD fitted in accordance with AS/NZS 3000
LPG appliances—NSCV Part C5C
LPG engines—NSCV Part C5D
Intact stability—NSCV Part C6
Safety equipment—NSCV Part C7A (other than Annex I)
Communication equipment—NSCV Part C7B
Navigation equipment—NSCV Part C7C
Anchoring system—NSCV Part C7D (if windage profile has changed)
Alternatively, the owner of the vessel can voluntarily opt to bring the vessel up to full compliance with the standards that would apply to it if it were a new vessel.
Survey regime Marine order 503
- New vessels
Under marine order 503 a vessel is 'new' if it is not an ‘existing' or a ‘transitional'.
New vessels must meet the standards for construction, subdivision, stability, fire safety, machinery, and associated systems and equipment set out in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels and select sections of the Uniform Shipping Laws Code.
The summary of standards for existing vessels, new vessels, and transitional vessels table outlines survey requirements for transitional vessels.
- Heritage vessels
Heritage vessels can fall into several different categories:
Vessel circumstances Certificate of survey required Vessel standards Survey regime Related legislation The vessel was required to have a certificate of survey on 30 June 2013 and is otherwise 'existing' Yes Standards that applied on 30 June 2013, except that safety equipment must comply with the National Standard for Commercial Vessels Marine order 503 Marine order 503 The vessel was not required to have a certificate of survey on 30 June 2013 and is otherwise 'existing' No Standards that applied on 30 June 2013, except that safety equipment must comply with the National Standard for Commercial Vessels None Division 5
The vessel is not 'existing' eg the vessel or its operations changed or began after 30 June 2013 Yes As per an approved vessel management plan As per an approved vessel management plan, with a minimum of a renewal survey every five years Section 6
If the vessel is ‘existing’ you can choose whether to continue to operate as an ‘existing vessel’ or to develop a new vessel management plan
- Unpowered barges
Unless exempt under Exemption 2 or Exemption 40 unpowered barges must have a certificate of survey.
However under Exemption 41 they may not need to meet all of the survey standards mentioned in marine order 503.
- Vessels over 35 metres
Marine order 503 requires vessels 35 metres and above to be constructed to class rules for construction, machinery, anchoring equipment and electrical installation aspects of the vessel. The NSCV applies to all other aspects of the vessel.
However, existing and transitional vessels which were not required to be surveyed by a recognised organisation prior to 1 July 2013 are not required to meet class rules. See our information on survey frequency.
Summary of standards for existing vessels, new vessels, and transitional vessels
| Standards | Existing vessel | New vessel | Transitional vessel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction, subdivision, stability, fire safety, and machinery and associated systems | Existing vessels surveyed before 1 July 2013—the standards that applied to the vessel when it was last surveyed
Existing vessels not surveyed before 1 July 2013—the standards that applied to the vessel when design was approved
| New vessels that are Class 1, 2 or 3—NSCV Part C1, Part C3, Part C4, Part C5, and Part C6. Plus the following Sections of the USL Code:
New vessels that are Class 4—NSCV Part F2 New vessels that are Fast Craft—NSCV Part F1 | Transitional vessels that are Class 1, 2 or 3—the standards Table 1 in schedule 2 of marine order 503 Transitional vessels that are Class 4—NSCV Part F2 Transitional Vessels that are Fast Craft—standards in Table 1 of schedule 2 of marine order 503 Alternately, these vessels can apply the standards that would apply if the vessel was a ‘new vessel’
|
Equipment standards
| The standards that applied to the vessel on 30 June 2013 | New vessels that are Class 1, 2 or 3—NSCV Part C7B to C7D New vessels that are Class 4—NSCV Part F2 New vessels that are Fast Craft—NSCV Part F1 | Transitional vessels that are Class 1, 2 and 3—NSCV Part C7B, C7C C7D Transitional vessels that are Class 4—NSCV Part F2 Transitional Vessels that are Fast Craft—NSCV Part F1 Alternately, these vessels can apply the standards that would apply if the vessel was a ‘new vessel’ |
| Safety equipment standards | Existing vessels that are Class 1, 2 or 3—the transitional safety equipment requirements in Annex I of NSCV Part C7A Existing vessels that are Class 4—the transitional safety equipment requirements in Part F2 Existing vessels that are Fast Craft—the transitional safety equipment requirements in Part F1 | New vessels that are Class 1, 2 and 3—NSCV Part C7A New vessels that are Class 4—NSCV Part F2 New vessels that are Fast Craft—NSCV Part F1 | Transitional vessels that are Class 1, 2 and 3—NSCV Part C7A (other than Annex I) Transitional vessels that are Cass 4—NSCV Part F2 Transitional vessels that are Fast Craft—NSCV Part F1 Alternately, these vessels can apply the standards that would apply if the vessel was a ‘new vessel’ |
| Survey regime | Marine order 503 | ||
Related forms
- Application for a certificate of survey and/or load line certificate for a domestic commercial vessel AMSA form 521
- Application to suspend or revoke a certificate or approval AMSA form 600
- Application to vary a vessel certificate or approval AMSA form 566
- Application for non-survey vessel AMSA form 579
Related information
- Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012
- Marine Order 503 (Certificates of survey national law)
- Exemption 2—Marine Safety (Certificates of survey)
- Exemption 40—Marine Safety (Class C restricted operations)
- Exemption 41—Marine Safety (Unpowered barges)
Note: this page was previously published as guidance notice AMSA 729