The Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance (AGSA) Scheme
The Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance (AGSA) Scheme provides an accreditation framework for marine surveyors undertaking applicable bulk vessel surveys connected with Australia’s grain export industry.
This page explains the purpose of the AGSA Scheme, when it applies, how accredited grain surveyors are identified and where marine surveyors and industry participants can access current application, renewal and operational information.
What is the AGSA Scheme?
The Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance (AGSA) Scheme is an Australian government-mandated program, that commenced on 1 July 2023. It requires marine surveyors to be accredited by the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) to survey and certify bulk grain vessels in accordance with agricultural export legislation and the Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys. The Scheme replaces older, less structured arrangements, ensuring better oversight of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Bulk Vessel Inspection Authorised Officers (BVI AOs) who maintain the standard for Australia’s grain exports.
The scheme creates a defined accreditation process for relevant marine surveyors. It also gives exporters, shipping companies, shipping agents and authorised officers a central AIMS directory through which they can check whether a surveyor is currently listed as accredited.
The surveyor accreditation component of the scheme is administered by AIMS and overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The scheme’s supporting materials set out the standards, policies, conduct expectations and documentation relevant to accredited marine surveyors.
Key Aspects of the AGSA Scheme:
Purpose: The AGSA Scheme ensures surveyors have appropriate qualifications and experience to survey and certify a vessel as suitable to load consumable prescribed plants and plant products.
The Scheme allows the AIMS to verify and confirm marine surveyors are suitably qualified to certify bulk vessel as fit to load grain and that they provide high-quality, standardised, and compliant surveys of vessel suitability.
Administration: The surveyor accreditation component of the Scheme is administered by AIMS and overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Requirements: Surveyors must be on the official list of accredited grain surveyors on the AIMS website in order to conduct surveys and issue a valid marine surveyors certificate or Fitness to Load Certificate.
Standards for Survey: Accredited surveyors must conduct their work in accordance with a mandatory Code of Conduct and the Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys 2026.
Costs & Insurance: Accreditation requires an application fee and an annual fee, as outlined on the AIMS website as well as the requirement for the surveyor to hold current professional indemnity insurance.
Marine surveyors should consult the current AIMS information before applying or renewing. Fees, forms, evidence requirements and supporting documents can be updated, so previously downloaded copies should not be assumed to remain current.
The AGSA Key Notes and Documents page provides access to the current Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys, accreditation policy, Code of Conduct information, fee schedule and other operational material.
Usage Examples (When the Scheme Applies):
Bulk Vessel Surveys: A surveyor uses the Scheme to certify that a vessel’s holds are clean enough to load grain and issue a Fitness to Load Certificate, which is necessary for the vessel to be approved by the BVI AO.
Compliance Verification: Shipping agents and exporters verify the accreditation status of a surveyor on the AIMS website before appointing them. This ensures that the “fitness to load” certificate is valid.
Authorised Officer: Uses the Scheme to verify that the appointed surveyor is accredited to perform the survey. An AO is prohibited from accepting “Fitness to Load” certificates from any surveyor who is not listed on the official list of accredited grain surveyors on the AIMS website.
How the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme Works
The AGSA Scheme brings accreditation, survey standards, professional conduct and verification information together within a single framework.
Accreditation is mandatory for Marine surveyors who wish to undertake surveys on bulk vessels loading grain. To become accredited you must complete the AGSA Application Form and submit all forms relevant to the accreditation process. Once accreditation is approved, the surveyor is included in the official AIMS list of accredited grain surveyors.
Industry participants such as shippers and agents can search the list before appointing a surveyor. Relevant authorised officers can also use the directory to verify whether the surveyor appointed to conduct a bulk vessel survey and issue a Fitness to Load certificate is currently listed.
Who Is the AGSA Scheme Relevant To?
Marine Surveyors
The scheme is relevant to marine surveyors who are appointed to undertake surveys on bulk vessels loading grain for export and issue the required certification.
Exporters and Shipping Companies
Exporters and shipping companies may use the AIMS directory to identify accredited grain surveyors that are eligible to issue Fitness to Load certification for bulk vessels loading grain.
Before making an appointment, check the current directory and discuss the vessel, location, proposed survey date, loading schedule and certificate requirements directly with the surveyor.
Shipping Agents
Shipping agents may use the list to locate accredited grain surveyors, coordinate attendance and verify accreditation information when arranging an applicable survey.
Bulk Vessel Inspection Authorised Officers
Relevant Bulk Vessel Inspection Authorised Officers use the accreditation information to confirm whether a marine surveyor is listed under the AGSA Scheme.
Additional government information is available in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s AGSA operational materials notice.
Find an Accredited Grain Surveyor
AIMS maintains a searchable list of marine surveyors accredited under the AGSA Scheme.
The directory allows users to search using information such as:
- Surveyor name
- Organisation
- Contact details
- Accreditation ID
- Location
Visit the Find an Accredited Grain Surveyor page to check the current list.
A directory listing confirms that the surveyor appears on the AIMS list of accredited grain surveyors. It does not automatically confirm the surveyor’s availability for a particular vessel, port or date.
Contact the surveyor directly to discuss availability, location, scope, timing, fees and appointment arrangements. If accreditation details cannot be matched with the directory, contact AIMS before relying on the information provided.
Apply for AGSA Accreditation
Marine surveyors seeking accreditation should review the current requirements before submitting an application.
The AIMS application information directs applicants to read the relevant:
- Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys
- AGSA Policy
- Conflict of Interest Guidance Note
- Supporting documents
- AGSA Code of Conduct
- Current fee schedule
Applicants are also required to sign and upload the AGSA Code of Conduct with their application.
Visit the Apply for AGSA Accreditation page to access the application form and current supporting information.
Submitting an application does not itself confirm accreditation. A marine surveyor should only represent themselves as AGSA accredited after approval and inclusion on the current AIMS list.
Renew AGSA Accreditation
Regardless of when your accreditation was granted your AGSA accreditation expires on the 30th June 2028 and every two years thereafter. To renew your accreditation, you must meet all of the evidence, insurance and documentation requirements published by AIMS and submit your renewal application online by the 14th June 2028.
Visit our Renew AGSA Accreditation page for more details.
AGSA Standards, Policies and Documents
The AGSA Key Notes and Documents page is the central AIMS location for current scheme materials.
Available resources include:
- AGSA Accreditation Policy
- Obligations of an AGSA-accredited marine surveyor
- AGSA Accreditation Fee Schedule
- Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys 2026
- Fitness to Load Certificate
- Amendments to the Grain Code
- Conflict of Interest Guidance Note
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form
- AGSA Scheme Risk Matrix
- Complaints-handling documents
- Grievance and Complaint Report Form
Accredited surveyors should use the current published versions when completing surveys, preparing certificates, managing conflicts or meeting accreditation obligations.
Industry participants can also refer to these documents when they need to understand the operational framework supporting the AGSA Scheme.
Fitness to Load Certificates
A Fitness to Load Certificate is mandatory for all vessels loading grain for export and must be completed in full and be compliant with the requirements under the AGSA Scheme.
The current compliance requirements are contained in the Fitness to Load Certificate template which is available through the AGSA Key Notes and Documents page. Accredited marine surveyors should ensure they include all information in the current template on their certificate and follow the applicable Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys.
Exporters, shipping companies, shipping agents and authorised officers should check that the surveyor associated with the certificate appears on the current AIMS list.
Professional Conduct and Conflicts of Interest
The AGSA Scheme includes professional conduct and conflict-of-interest requirements for accredited marine surveyors.
AIMS publishes the relevant Code of Conduct, conflict-of-interest guidance, disclosure form and risk matrix with its other scheme documents.
Accredited surveyors should review these materials and complete any disclosure or management process required for their circumstances. Questions about individual accreditation obligations should be directed to AIMS.
AGSA Complaints and Reviews
AIMS publishes a complaints process for matters involving the conduct of accredited marine surveyors under the AGSA Scheme.
The Key Notes and Documents page provides access to the Grievance and Complaint Report Form, complaints policy, supporting fact sheet and process flow chart. It also contains information about the review of decisions.
Complaints must meet the conditions stated in the current AIMS policy and should be accompanied by the required supporting evidence.
For AGSA enquiries and complaints information, contact grain@aimsurveyors.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AGSA stand for?
AGSA stands for the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme.
When did the AGSA Scheme commence?
The AGSA Scheme commenced on 1 July 2023.
Who administers the AGSA Scheme?
The surveyor accreditation component is administered by the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors and overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
How can I find an accredited grain surveyor?
Search the current AIMS accredited grain surveyor list using the surveyor’s name, organisation, Accreditation ID, contact information or location.
Is AGSA accreditation the same as AIMS membership?
No. AGSA accreditation and AIMS membership are separate. The AGSA directory identifies marine surveyors listed as accredited under the scheme.
How does a marine surveyor apply for AGSA accreditation?
Review the current requirements and documents before completing the form available on the AGSA application page.
How does an accredited grain surveyor renew?
Current evidence, insurance, document and Code of Conduct requirements are available on the AGSA renewal page.
Where can I find the current survey standard and certificate?
The Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys 2026 and current Fitness to Load Certificate are available through the AGSA Key Notes and Documents page.
Who should I contact about the AGSA Scheme?
For scheme, directory and accreditation enquiries, contact AIMS at grain@aimsurveyors.com.au.
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Last update 07/10/2026