The\u00a0Australian Federal government has announced an additional $10 million in funding for the launch of the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety (National System) administered by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) which began on 1 July this year.<\/p>\n
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Last year, in response to an industry backlash over new fees and charges associated with the National System, the government promised $102 million in funding over ten years and announced that no levies would be charged during the first year of the scheme\u2019s operation. With the additional funding, the levy-free period has now been extended to three years.<\/p>\n
Announcing the funding boost, deputy prime minster Michael McCormack said the government remains committed to the National System delivering safety benefits for commercial boating, fishing and tourism operations across Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Australian Government has listened to the concerns of Australia’s domestic commercial vessel industries about the cumulative impact of costs and charges on these industries. In response, I am announcing the Australian Government will provide an additional $10 million funding for the national system, increasing our total contribution to $65 million over ten years, and increasing total funding by all governments to $112.4 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis additional funding will mean no levy will be charged to industry for the first three years of AMSA’s service delivery to assist all operators as services transition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will provide two more years for AMSA to engage with industry on a range of important matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
New fees for services provided by AMSA to individuals, such as issuing safety certification to vessels and seafarers, and accrediting marine surveyors, were also introduced on 1 July. However, the government also announced that due to \u201cefficiencies that have already been identified\u201d by AMSA, the fee for a new Certificate of Survey and a Certificate of Survey renewal will be reduced from $366 to $206.<\/p>\n
A review of all costs and charges for the National System will be conducted in 2020\u201321 including public consultation.<\/p>\n