1) Grain Surveyor Guidance Notes and Documents
Notices, Fee Schedule, AGSA Policy and Obligations as an AGSA Accredited Marine Surveyor, Conflict of Interest Guidance Note and supporting documents and the new Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys 2026. Please ensure that you are familiar with the general terms and conditions of AGSA accreditation and the documents supporting the terms of your accreditation.
Link: Accreditation Policy 2025
Link: Information on your obligations as an AGSA Accredited marine surveyor
Link: AGSA Accreditation Fee Schedule 2026/28
2) Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys by Accredited Marine Surveyors
Below is the new Standard For Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys and the template for the new Fitness to Load Certificate which is now a mandatory requirement.
Link: Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys 2026
Link: Cert of Fitness to Load Grain 2026
Link: Amendments to the Grain Code
3) Conflicts of Interest Guidance Note
Please note that these documents are new as of 29 May 2026 until further notice.
Link: AGSA Conflict of Interest Guidance Note – May 2026
Link: AGSA Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form
Link: AGSA Scheme Risk Matrix
4) AGSA Scheme Complaints Process
The AIMS is committed to a fair and equitable accreditation scheme and has in place a detailed complaints procedure. Any person can submit a complaint to AIMS (complainant) relating to the conduct of an Accredited Marine Surveyor under the AGSA Scheme, but complaints should note that:
• The complaint must relate to conduct that occurred after the AGSA Scheme commenced on 1 July 2023; and
• The complaint is submitted within 12 months of the conduct occurring.
Complaints are to be submitted using the ‘Grievance and Complaint Report Form’ published by AIMS and available below. Submit the completed form with any required supporting evidence via email to grain@aimsurveyors.com.au.
4.1) Important Note
AIMS will not investigate a complaint relating to the conduct of a DAFF Authorised Officer however we will forward the complaint to the Department responsible for Authorised Officer.
Any person who is the subject of a complaint (respondent) will have the opportunity to respond to the complaint.
The ‘Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme Complaint Handling and Investigation Fact Sheet and Process’, is available below or you can request the full AGSA policy by emailing grain@aimsurveyors.com.au.
For ease of reference AIMS has developed a flow chart outlining the complaint handling process which is available below.
4.2) Consequences for Accreditation
If a determination to Suspend Accreditation is made AIMS will provide the respondent a Suspension Notice advising any conditions AIMS considers appropriate and the date that the suspension takes effect and ends.
If a determination to Cancel Accreditation is made AIMS will provide the respondent a Cancellation Notice advising the date that the cancellation takes effect and the respondents accreditation will end and include that they will be prohibited from making a new application. AIMS may also provide a Prohibition Notice specifying dates and conditions deemed appropriate.
4.3) Review of Decisions
An affected person may apply for review of the Decision by submitting a, ‘Request for Review of Decision Form’, available on the AIMS website.
In reviewing this request for review, AIMS may ask for further information. The review may alter the decision and in doing so may invite comment from the DAFF.
Any review determination is final, and no further review may be sought by the affected person.
4.4) Supporting Documentation