On 1 July 2022, amendments to the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2021 will commence to clarify the requirements for marine surveyors to be accredited to perform bulk vessel surveys.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (department) and Australian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) are running three information sessions via Teams for affected stakeholders prior to the changes commencing.

On 1 July 2022, these amendments will take effect and marine surveyors who perform bulk vessel surveys must be accredited under the AGSA scheme. This scheme will be administered by the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors.

The AGSA scheme reflects the broad range of relevant training and qualifications held by marine surveyors performing bulk vessel surveys and incorporates work experience requirements to provide greater assurance that new marine surveyors can perform surveys safely and compliantly.  

To support the understanding of changes commencing on 1 July 2022, the department and AIMS will hold three engagement and information sessions via Microsoft Teams on the following dates:

• o   22 March 2022 for industry (including shippers and shipping agents)
• o   11 April 2022 for marine surveyors
• o   May 2022 for bulk vessel inspection authorised officers. Further information will be provided to BVI AOs in the coming months regarding the May 2022 session
  
  

More information on the changes are on the Plant export legislation changes website.

Register to attend a session via Eventbrite