On 17 June 2020, the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee tabled the report of its inquiry into the performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). A key recommendation in this report was that the Australian Government commissions an independent review of the National Law and any associated legislative instruments (such as Marine Orders).

In its response to this inquiry in December 2021, the Australian Government commissioned this independent Review of Australia’s Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV) Safety Legislation, and Costs and Charging Arrangements for DCVs (the Review). The Review is being conducted by a three-person Independent Review Panel (the Review Panel) with a mix of safety, regulatory, financial and industry expertise.

Safety Report—Independent Review of Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Legislation and Costs and Charging—September 2023 | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts