Domestic marine surveyors will now be accredited under the Domestic Surveyor Accreditation Scheme, a national system run by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

AMSA standards manager Adam Brancher said the scheme, which came into effect on January 2, would ensure people are competent to conduct and provide survey reports for domestic commercial vessels under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 across Australia.

“For the first time in Australia, domestic commercial vessel surveyors will now operate under a single consistent arrangement,” Mr Brancher said.

The scheme applies to government and non-government accredited marine surveyors.

Existing government and private marine surveyors need to submit their applications before December 31, 2015 for their current attestation to be recognised under the new scheme.

“We encourage surveyors to submit their applications as soon as possible,” Mr Brancher said.

New government and private marine surveyors are required to complete applications for accreditation and will be assessed by AMSA under the scheme.

Mr Brancher said applications would be assessed on merit, taking into account appropriate qualifications, capabilities and experience.

AMSA consulted extensively with various state and territory maritime agencies and representative bodies ahead of the scheme’s implementation.

A series of information sessions will be held in Cairns on February 10, Noosa on February 11 and the Gold Coast on February 13.

To register surveyors can visit www.amsa.gov.au/about-amsa/recent-events/2015/jan-dsas/index.asp 

Further information on the scheme and how to make an application is available here: http://www.amsa.gov.au/domestic/surveyors-manual/