Skip to main
Help and resources
Register
for My Account
Sign in
to My Account
Search
Australian Government
Federal Register of Legislation
Site navigation
Constitution
Acts
Legislative instruments
Notifiable instruments
Gazettes
Administrative Arrangements
Prerogative instruments
Norfolk Island
Home
Acts
In force
Text
Details
Authorises
Downloads
All versions
Interactions
Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003
Citation change
In force
Administered by
Department of Home Affairs
Latest version
View as made version
Order print copy
Save this title to My Account
Set up an alert
C2026C00106 C31
27 March 2026
Legislation text
View document
Select value
Act
Filter active
Table of contents
Enter text to search the table of contents
Collapse
Part 1—Preliminary
Collapse
Division 1—Short title and commencement
1 Short title
2 Commencement
Collapse
Division 2—Purpose and simplified overview of this Act
3 Purpose of this Act
4 Simplified overview of this Act
Collapse
Division 3—Application
5 Extension to Territories
6 Geographical jurisdiction
7 Act to bind Crown
8 Operation of State and Territory laws
9 Act not to apply to state ships etc.
Collapse
Division 4—Definitions
10 Definitions
10A Prohibited items
Collapse
Division 4A—Cyber security incidents
10B Meaning of cyber security incident
10C Meaning of unauthorised access, modification or impairment
10D Meaning of relevant impact
10E Meaning of significant impact
Collapse
Division 4B—Relevant interference
10F Meaning of relevant interference
Collapse
Division 5—Unlawful interference with maritime transport or offshore facilities
11 Meaning of unlawful interference with maritime transport or offshore facilities
Collapse
Division 5A—Operational interference with maritime transport or offshore facilities
11A Meaning of operational interference with maritime transport or offshore facilities
Collapse
Division 6—Security regulated ports and port operators
12 Meaning of port
13 Security regulated ports
14 Port operators
Collapse
Division 7—Security regulated ships
15 Meaning of security regulated ship
16 Meaning of regulated Australian ship
17 Meaning of regulated foreign ship
17AA Infrequent overseas voyages test
Collapse
Division 7A—Security regulated offshore facilities and offshore facility operators
17A Meaning of offshore facility
17B Security regulated offshore facilities
17C Offshore facility operators
Collapse
Division 7B—Offences and enforcement action in relation to non-regulated foreign ships
17D Persons travelling on non-regulated foreign ships
17E Enforcement action against non-regulated ships
Collapse
Division 8—General defences
18 General defences
Collapse
Division 9—Communicating with ship operators
19 Communicating with ship operators
Collapse
Part 2—Maritime security levels and security directions
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
20 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Maritime security levels 1, 2 and 3
21 Default security level—maritime security level 1
22 Secretary may declare maritime security level 2 or 3
23 When a maritime security level is in force
24 Maritime security level declaration for a port covers all port operations
24A Maritime security level declaration for an offshore facility covers ships and operations in the vicinity
25 Security levels and complying with plans
26 Maritime security level 1, 2 or 3 applies with security directions
Collapse
Division 3—Notifying maritime security level 2 and 3 declarations and revocations
27 Notifying declarations covering security regulated ports
28 Notifying declarations covering security regulated ships
28A Notifying declarations covering security regulated offshore facilities
29 Notifying declarations covering areas within security regulated ports
30 Notifying declarations covering maritime industry participants
31 Notifying revocations
32 Requirements for giving notice
Collapse
Division 4—Security directions
33 Secretary may give security directions
34 Confidentiality requirements
35 Persons to whom security directions may be given
36 Secretary may give security directions to security regulated ships
36B Notification of security directions
37 When a security direction is in force
38 Revoking security directions
39 Failure to comply with security directions
40 Failure to comply with confidentiality requirements
Collapse
Part 3—Maritime security plans
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
41 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Maritime industry participants required to have maritime security plans
42 Who must have maritime security plans
43 Offence—operating without a maritime security plan
44 Offence—failing to comply with maritime security plan
Collapse
Division 3—Complying with other plans
45 Complying with maritime security plans of other participants
46 Australian regulated ships must not hinder or obstruct compliance with maritime security plans
Collapse
Division 4—Content and form of maritime security plans
47 Content of maritime security plans
48 Prescribed content for maritime security plans
49 Form of maritime security plans
Collapse
Division 5—Approving, varying, revising and cancelling maritime security plans
50 Providing maritime security plans for approval
51 Approval of maritime security plans
52 When a maritime security plan is in force
52A Participants may submit variations to maritime security plans
53 Secretary may direct variations of maritime security plans
54 Participants may revise maritime security plans
55 Secretary may direct participants to revise maritime security plans
57 Cancelling inadequate maritime security plans
57A Cancelling for failure to provide statement of compliance
58 Cancelling for failure to comply with maritime security plans
59 Cancelling maritime security plans on request
Collapse
Division 6—Statement of compliance for plans
59A Annual statement of compliance for maritime security plans
59B Participants required to provide statement of compliance
Collapse
Part 4—Ship security plans and ISSCs for regulated Australian ships
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
60 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Ships required to have ship security plans
61 Which ships must have ship security plans
61A Exemptions
62 Offence—operating without a ship security plan
63 Offence—failing to comply with ship security plan
Collapse
Division 3—Complying with other plans
64 Complying with ship security plans of other ships
65 Maritime industry participants must not hinder or obstruct compliance with ship security plans
Collapse
Division 4—Content and form of ship security plans
66 Content of ship security plans
67 Prescribed content for ship security plans
68 Form of ship security plans
Collapse
Division 5—Approving, varying, revising and cancelling ship security plans
69 Providing ship security plans for approval
70 Approval of ship security plans
71 When a ship security plan is in force
71A Ship operator may submit variations to ship security plans
72 Secretary may direct variations of ship security plans
73 Ship operator may revise ship security plan
74 Secretary may direct operator to revise ship security plan
76 Cancelling inadequate ship security plans
76A Cancelling for failure to provide statement of compliance
77 Cancelling for failure to comply with ship security plan
78 Cancelling ship security plans on request
Collapse
Division 5A—Statement of compliance for plans
78A Annual statement of compliance for ship security plans
78B Ship operators required to provide statement of compliance
Collapse
Division 6—International ship security certificates
79 Regulated Australian ship to have ISSC
79A Exemptions
80 Offence—operating without an ISSC
81 Applying for an ISSC
82 Conditions for giving an ISSC
83 ISSC verification
84 When an ISSC is in force
85 Cancelling ISSCs
86 Interim ISSCs
87 Offence—false or misleading statements in relation to having an ISSC
Collapse
Division 7—Recognised security organisations
88 Secretary may delegate powers and functions under this Part
89 Recognised security organisations may conduct ISSC inspections
Collapse
Part 4A—Exemption certificates for ships that pass the infrequent overseas voyages test
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified outline of Part
89A Simplified outline of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Exemption certificates for ships that pass the infrequent overseas voyages test
89B Ship security plan exemption certificate
89C Cancellation of a ship security plan exemption certificate
89D ISSC exemption certificate
89E Cancellation of an ISSC exemption certificate
Collapse
Part 5—Regulated foreign ships
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
90 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Obligations on regulated foreign ships
91 Regulated foreign ships must have ISSCs
92 Regulated foreign ships must provide pre-arrival information
93 Regulated foreign ships must allow inspections etc.
94 Regulated foreign ships must comply with security levels
95 Meaning of ISPS level 1, 2 and 3 measures
96 Regulated foreign ships must comply with security directions
97 Complying with maritime, ship and offshore security plans
98 Acknowledging level notifications and directions
Collapse
Division 3—Control directions
99 Secretary may give control directions
100 Enforcing control directions
Collapse
Part 5A—Offshore security plans
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
100A Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Offshore industry participants required to have offshore security plans
100B Who must have offshore security plans
100C Offence—operating without an offshore security plan
100D Offence—failing to comply with offshore security plan
Collapse
Division 3—Complying with other plans
100E Complying with offshore security plans of offshore industry participants
100F Regulated Australian ships must not hinder or obstruct compliance with offshore security plans
Collapse
Division 4—Content and form of offshore security plans
100G Content of offshore security plans
100H Prescribed content for offshore security plans
100I Form of offshore security plans
Collapse
Division 5—Approving, varying, revising and cancelling offshore security plans
100J Providing offshore security plans for approval
100K Approval of offshore security plans
100L When an offshore security plan is in force
100LA Offshore industry participant may submit variations to offshore security plans
100M Secretary may direct variations of offshore security plans
100N Participants may revise offshore security plans
100O Secretary may direct participants to revise offshore security plans
100Q Cancelling inadequate offshore security plans
100QA Cancelling for failure to provide statement of compliance
100R Cancelling for failure to comply with offshore security plans
100S Cancelling offshore security plans where facility moved
100T Cancelling offshore security plans on request
Collapse
Division 6—Statement of compliance for plans
100TA Annual statement of compliance for offshore security plans
100TB Participant required to provide statement of compliance
Collapse
Part 6—Maritime security zones
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
101 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Port security zones
102 Establishing port security zones
103 Types of port security zones
104 Matters to be considered in establishing port security zones
105 Requirements for port security zones
Collapse
Division 3—Ship security zones
106 Declaring ship security zones
107 Types of ship security zones
108 Matters to be considered in declaring ship security zones
109 Requirements for ship security zones
Collapse
Division 4—On-board security zones
110 Establishing on-board security zones
111 Types of on-board security zones
112 Matters to be considered in establishing on-board security zones
113 Requirements for on-board security zones
Collapse
Division 5—Offshore security zones
113A Establishing offshore security zones
113B Types of offshore security zones
113C Matters to be considered in establishing offshore security zones
113D Requirements for offshore security zones
Collapse
Division 6—Serious and organised crime
113E Purpose of this Division
113F Requirements relating to access to zones
Collapse
Part 7—Other security measures
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
114 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Screening and clearing
115 Screening and clearing people
116 Screening and clearing goods
117 Screening and clearing vehicles
118 Screening and clearing vessels
119 Requirements for screening and clearing
Collapse
Division 3—Weapons
120 Weapons in maritime security zones
121 Carrying weapons through a screening point
122 Weapons on board certain ships—strict liability
123 Weapons on board certain ships—general
124 Failure to comply with conditions
125 Secretary may permit by class
126 Other weapons requirements
Collapse
Division 4—Prohibited items
127 Prohibited items in maritime security zones
128 Carrying prohibited items through a screening point
129 Prohibited items on board certain ships—strict liability
130 Prohibited items on board certain ships—general
131 Failure to comply with conditions
132 Secretary may permit by class
133 Other prohibited items requirements
Collapse
Part 8—Powers of officials
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
134 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Maritime security inspectors
135 Simplified overview of Division
136 Appointment
137 Identity cards
138 Maritime security inspector powers—ISSC verifications
139 Maritime security inspector powers—security regulated ships
140 When powers may be exercised—security regulated ships
140A Maritime security inspector powers—security regulated offshore facilities
140B When powers may be exercised—security regulated offshore facilities
141 Maritime security inspector powers—participants
142 When powers may be exercised—participants
143 Offence—hindering or obstructing a maritime security inspector
144 Inspection warrants—security regulated ships
145 Inspection warrants by telephone etc.—security regulated ships
145A Inspection warrants—security regulated offshore facilities
145B Inspection warrants by telephone etc.—security regulated offshore facilities
Collapse
Division 2A—Security assessment inspectors
145C Simplified overview of Division
145D Appointment
145E Powers of security assessment inspectors
145F When powers may be exercised
145G Offence—hindering or obstructing a security assessment inspector
Collapse
Division 3—Duly authorised officers
146 Simplified overview of Division
147 Secretary may appoint duly authorised officers
148 Duly authorised officer powers—operational areas of security regulated ships
148A Duly authorised officer powers—operational areas of security regulated offshore facilities
149 Offence—hindering or obstructing a duly authorised officer
Collapse
Division 4—Law enforcement officers
150 Simplified overview of Division
151 Law enforcement officers
152 Access to ports by law enforcement officers
152A Access to offshore facilities by law enforcement officers
153 Stopping and searching people
154 Stopping and searching vehicles
155 Stopping and searching vessels
156 Requests to leave ships or zones
157 Removing people from ships or zones
158 Removing vehicles from zones
159 Removing vessels from zones
160 Other law enforcement powers not affected
Collapse
Division 5—Maritime security guards
161 Simplified overview of Division
162 Maritime security guards
163 Maritime security guards’ power to physically restrain persons
163A Maritime security guards’ power to request information
163B Requests to leave maritime security zones
163C Maritime security guards’ power to remove people from zones
163D Maritime security guards’ power to remove vehicles from zones
163E Maritime security guards’ power to remove vessels from zones
Collapse
Division 6—Screening officers
164 Simplified overview of Division
165 Screening officers
165A Requirements relating to screening officers
165B Exemption from requirements relating to screening officers
165C Exercise of powers and performance of screening functions by screening officers
165D Report on number of exemptions
166 Screening powers
166A Screening powers—frisk search as an alternative screening procedure
166B Screening powers—frisk search as an additional screening procedure
166C Screening powers—frisk search general power
167 Screening officers’ power to physically restrain persons
Collapse
Part 9—Reporting maritime transport or offshore facility security incidents
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
169 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Meaning of maritime transport or offshore facility security incident
170 Meaning of maritime transport or offshore facility security incident
Collapse
Division 3—Certain people must report incidents
171 Port operators
172 Ship masters
173 Ship operators
174 Port facility operators
174A Offshore facility operators
175 Persons with incident reporting responsibilities
176 Employees
Collapse
Division 4—Reporting requirements
177 Reporting by port operators
178 Reporting by ship masters
179 Reporting by ship operators
179A Reporting by offshore facility operators
180 Reporting by port facility operators
181 Reporting by persons with incident reporting responsibilities
Collapse
Division 5—Form and content of reports
182 How reports are to be made
Collapse
Part 10—Information-gathering
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
183 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Secretary may require security compliance information
184 Secretary may require security compliance information
185 Self-incrimination
Collapse
Part 11—Enforcement
Collapse
Division 1—Simplified overview of Part
186 Simplified overview of Part
Collapse
Division 2—Infringement notices
187 Infringement notices
Collapse
Division 3—Enforcement orders for maritime industry participants
188 Simplified overview of Division
189 Secretary may make enforcement orders
190 Commencement and duration of enforcement orders
191 Reviews of enforcement orders
192 Notice of enforcement orders
193 Complying with enforcement orders
Collapse
Division 4—Ship enforcement orders for regulated Australian ships
194 Simplified overview of Division
195 Ship enforcement orders—regulated Australian ships
196 Enforcing ship enforcement orders
Collapse
Division 5—Injunctions
197 Injunctions
Collapse
Division 6—Demerit points system
198 Demerit points system
199 Demerit points—maritime security plans
200 Demerit points—ship security plans
200A Demerit points—offshore security plans
Collapse
Part 12—Review of decisions
201 Review of decisions by Administrative Review Tribunal
Collapse
Part 13—Miscellaneous
202 Delegation
202A Sub-delegation
203 Compensation for damage to electronic equipment
204 Compensation for acquisition of property
205 Compensation for unnecessary delay—paid by the Commonwealth
206 Compensation for inspection and detention—paid by ship operators or other persons
207 Saving of other laws
208 Severability—additional effect of Act
209 Regulations
Collapse
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
