MSIC Requirements Across Central and South Queensland's Ports: What Actually Differs Between Gladstone, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Hay Point/Mackay and Abbot Point

August 20, 2026
Long industrial jetties, conveyors and storage tanks with a bulk carrier under load.

Short Answer

Central and south Queensland's five ports on this site, Port of Gladstone, Bundaberg, Rockhampton's Port Alma, Hay Point/Mackay and Abbot Point, all accept the same national MSIC, though the detail of exactly when you need to wear one differs at one of them:

  • Port of Gladstone: MSIC required for unescorted access within the port's maritime security zones; one of Australia's largest multi-commodity ports, exporting coal, LNG, alumina and cement.
  • Bundaberg: MSIC required for unescorted access within the Maritime Security Zone at this Burnett River sugar and molasses terminal.
  • Rockhampton, Port Alma: MSIC required for unescorted access within the Maritime Security Zone at this Fitzroy River livestock and bulk cargo terminal.
  • Hay Point / Mackay: depends on the security level; a port access card covers Security Level 1 landside access at Mackay, while an MSIC is required at Security Levels 2 and 3, and an MSIC must always be worn inside a restricted zone at either coal terminal.
  • Abbot Point: MSIC required for unescorted access to restricted zones at this Bowen Basin coal export terminal north of Bowen.

Four of the five ports are a straightforward MSIC requirement. Hay Point and Mackay is the one to check against your own role and terminal, since the port access card option only covers Security Level 1 landside access. The detail below is about what each port moves and who operates it, not about whether your MSIC works there.

Central and south Queensland's ports split across two operating networks. Gladstone, Bundaberg and Rockhampton's Port Alma are operated by Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC), which stopped issuing MSICs itself from 12 June 2026 and now directs applicants to an authorised issuing body; any authorised issuing body's MSIC, ClientView's included, is accepted at all three. Hay Point, Mackay and Abbot Point sit within North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP), which has never issued MSICs itself; the Department of Home Affairs, via authorised issuing bodies, has always handled these. Whichever network your port sits in, it's the same card, the same national scheme, and the same ClientView application.

One card, every central and south Queensland port

An MSIC issued by any Australian Government authorised issuing body, ClientView included, is a national card. It isn't tied to the port where you applied, and it doesn't need to be reissued if your work moves between Gladstone, Bundaberg, Rockhampton's Port Alma, Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point, or any other security regulated port in the country. What differs below is local: who operates the port, what it moves, and when exactly you need to wear an MSIC.

Comparison of MSIC access requirements at Port of Gladstone, Bundaberg, Rockhampton Port Alma, Hay Point/Mackay and Abbot Point, central and south Queensland
How MSIC access requirements compare across central and south Queensland's five regulated ports.

Apply for your MSIC

Port of Gladstone

One of Australia's largest multi-commodity ports, exporting coal, LNG from Curtis Island, alumina, aluminium and cement products for central Queensland's industrial belt. Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) identifies Gladstone as a security regulated port; anyone needing unescorted access to a maritime security zone, including stevedores, terminal operators, LNG and industrial plant contractors, truck drivers, marine crew and surveyors, must hold a valid MSIC. GPC stopped issuing MSICs itself from 12 June 2026 and now directs applicants to an authorised issuing body; any authorised issuing body's MSIC, ClientView's included, is accepted. Gladstone's industrial terminals, particularly around LNG and hazardous materials, commonly add their own site inductions on top of the MSIC.

Bundaberg

On the Burnett River in southern Queensland, a Gladstone Ports Corporation facility exporting raw sugar and molasses. GPC identifies Bundaberg among its security regulated ports; anyone who needs unescorted access to a maritime security zone, including stevedores, terminal workers and marine crew servicing the sugar terminal, must hold a valid MSIC. GPC ceased being an authorised MSIC issuing body on 12 June 2026 and now directs applicants to an authorised issuing body; any authorised issuing body's MSIC, ClientView's included, is accepted. Local induction and site access remain separate from MSIC issue.

Rockhampton, Port Alma

On the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton, a Gladstone Ports Corporation facility handling livestock, bulk and general cargo for central Queensland. GPC identifies Port Alma among its security regulated ports; anyone who needs unescorted access to a maritime security zone, including stevedores, livestock handlers, terminal workers and marine crew, must hold a valid MSIC. GPC ceased being an authorised MSIC issuing body on 12 June 2026 and now directs applicants to an authorised issuing body; any authorised issuing body's MSIC, ClientView's included, is accepted.

Hay Point / Mackay

Just south of Mackay, one of the world's largest metallurgical coal export hubs, home to the Hay Point Coal Terminal and the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, together exporting coal from more than 30 Bowen Basin mines to steel mills across Asia. North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) confirms a port access card covers Security Level 1 landside access at Mackay, while an MSIC is required at Security Levels 2 and 3, and at every NQBP port an MSIC must be worn by anyone entering a restricted zone. Check your specific role and terminal with your employer, since Hay Point Coal Terminal and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal are separately operated with their own inductions.

Abbot Point

North of Bowen, a coal export terminal serving Bowen Basin mines, with the trading links that make it, like the rest of the NQBP network, a security regulated port. North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) states an MSIC is valid at every NQBP port and that every person entering a restricted zone must wear one; anyone needing unescorted access to a restricted zone at Abbot Point, including stevedores, terminal maintenance workers and marine crew, needs a valid MSIC. Confirm current site access requirements with the terminal operator or your employer.

Applying once, for wherever the work takes you

If your work moves between two or more of these ports, or between central and south Queensland and the rest of the country, you only need the one card. Apply for your MSIC online in 10 to 15 minutes, verify your identity at a participating Australia Post outlet, and ClientView lodges every ready application with AusCheck each business day. See our measured processing times for how long that typically takes.

About the author

Ellen Farley

Ellen Farley

Chief Marketing Officer

Ellen Farley is the Chief Marketing Officer at ClientView. She has spent more than five years helping maritime workers and employers make sense of the MSIC process, and leads ClientView's applicant guidance and published content.

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