National Marine Safety 

National Marine Safety Committee

Promoting uniform National Standards, supported by national data information, policy research and safety education. The Committee meets quarterly to set priorities, review progress and outcomes on programs and projects and to provide recommendations to the Australian Transport Council (ATC). The NMSC is serviced by a national secretariat, based in Canberra. 

Please note: The Australian Transport Council (ATC) has now been renamed the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI)

Mission 

The mission of the NMSC is to improve marine safety in Australia, for the benefit of the community and the maritime industry by facilitating and supporting a co-operative and coordinated approach to the efficient and effective administration of marine safety within the Australian Federation, comprising of the Commonwealth, States and Territory Governments.

Our mission's intent is that a vessel may be designed in one jurisdiction, built in another and operated in a third jurisdiction, without any additional regulatory, pricing or administrative impediments and with the free movement of those working in the industry through the mutual and or equivalent recognition of marine qualifications.

Our mission is achieved through the development of national standards, supported and enhanced by national evidenced based information and data collection, legislation, policy and safety education.

Role 

The National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) is an Intergovernmental Committee established and formalised by an Intergovernmental Agreement signed on 7 November 1997 by the Prime Minister, State Premiers and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. The parties endorsed goals and guiding principles for national marine safety legislation and operational arrangements.

The NMSC reports through the Transport and Infrastructure Senior Officers Committee (TISOC) to the Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI).  

The National Marine Safety Strategy was published in 1998, setting out the key goals and strategies for marine safety in Australia. 

The NMSC Strategic Plan 2008–2013 was developed in conjunction with industry and was endorsed by the ATC. It sets out the plan for implementing the National Marine Safety Strategy.