Statutory authority overview | |
---|---|
Formed | 1990 |
Jurisdiction | Australian exclusive economic zone [1] |
Headquarters | Canberra, ACT |
Website | www |
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is an Australian statutory authority responsible for the regulation and safety oversight of Australia's shipping fleet and management of Australia's international maritime obligations. [2] The authority has jurisdiction over Australia's exclusive economic zone which covers an area of 11,000,000 square kilometres (4,200,000 sq mi).[3] AMSA maintains Australia's shipping registries: the general[4] and the international shipping registers.[5]
AMSA was established in 1990 under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990[6][7] and governed by the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. As at 2024, AMSA is a statutory authority within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.[8] Directors are appointed by the minister.[7] The international treaties which AMSA administers include the Navigation Act 2012 and the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983.[3]
Organised sea rescue in Australia was well established during the Second World War.[9] Precursor international arrangements also included usage of a range of warning and communication systems.[10]
AMSA is funded largely through levies on the shipping industry. In the 2010-2011 financial year, AMSA recorded expenses of just over $146 million, with revenue at just under $159 million, creating a surplus of more than $10 million.[11]