Card Operations & Usage

An MSIC confirms that you have passed required background checks and have an operational need, while local site access cards and visitor passes control day to day physical entry.

Key differences

• The MSIC is a national maritime security credential that can be recognised at many facilities.
• Local access cards or passes are issued by individual ports or facilities for their own sites.
• Holding an MSIC does not automatically give you physical access to a site.
• Some visitors may use escorted visitor passes instead of holding an MSIC.

In practice you often need both a valid MSIC and whatever local card or pass the facility uses.

As an MSIC holder you must follow site rules, protect your card and only access areas you are authorised to enter.

Your responsibilities on site

• Carry, display and protect your MSIC while you are in secure zones.
• Follow all directions and local procedures issued by the port or facility operator.
• Never lend your card to anyone or allow others to tailgate using your access.
• Report lost or stolen cards and any security concerns promptly.

Meeting these responsibilities helps maintain a safe, trusted environment for everyone working in maritime and offshore facilities.

Holders must return expired MSICs within 30 days or face a 10 penalty unit fine under r. 6.08P(1)(2)

Details

• ClientView issues email/SMS prompts at 14,30 and 60 days post expiry, escalating to written notice and statutory declaration packs.

Under r. 6.08LH a temporary MSIC is automatically suspended for exactly the same period as the blue MSIC it relates to.

Holders must return expired or cancelled blue MSICs within 30 days (offence: 10 penalty units) r. 6.08P(1)

Details

• ClientView then cuts each card into at least ten pieces or cross cut shreds it, noting the destruction date in your file, and updates AusCheck.

A maritime industry participant (MIP) can issue a temporary MSIC when you forget, lose, or have not yet received an approved blue card

Details

• The card must be orange, show the large letter T, and expires on the earlier of the printed date or 2 months after issue (or when the blue card is collected)
• Your company's security plan must authorise the practice and keep a register r. 6.08K & 6.08KA?

A new (replacement) MSIC is required if your name changes (r. 6.08L, r. 6.08LCA), if your card is lost, stolen, destroyed (r. 6.08L, r. 6.08R), or you have an operational need for a different kind of MSIC. Updates

Details

• changes to address (for cards >2 years) must be reported
• but do not always require a new card (r. 6.08LD)

To maintain continuous MSIC validity, you must have an ongoing operational need (r. 6.08C(1)(a)), keep your personal details current, and ensure your background check remains valid

Details

• Your MSIC expires after 2 or 4 years from your background check, or earlier if you lose operational need, fail a check, or have changes in status (see r. 6.08I, r. 6.08M(1)(f)-(g), r. 6.08C)
• You must return your card if it expires or you lose operational need (r. 6.08P, r. 6.08Q).

The regulations do not mandate a set fee for replacement cards (see r. 6.08S)

Details

• Fees are set by the issuing body and must be published in their MSIC plan.

You must provide required identity documents (r. 6.08BB) and a statement, statutory declaration, or police report explaining the loss/damage/theft, as requested by the issuing body's MSIC plan (r. 6.08S(3); r. 6.07Q(2)(j)).

You must report the loss 'as soon as practicable' (r. 6.08S(1)) and cannot access maritime security zones without a valid MSIC (r. 6.07J(1)).

If the card is 'damaged' or 'not capable of functioning as intended,' a replacement should be issued (r. 6.08S(2)). 'Readability' does not override this requirement.

No fixed timeframe is specified (r. 6.08S(2)). Issuing bodies must act 'as soon as practicable.' Check with your provider for estimated processing times.

The regs require reporting a lost/stolen MSIC to the issuing body 'as soon as practicable' (r. 6.08S(1)) and the holder must supply the issuing body a copy of a police report, or other information issued by the police, regarding the theft;

If your current background check is valid (i.e., within the MSIC's active period), you do not need a new one for a replacement (r. 6.08S; r. 6.08BG for check duration).

New background checks are only needed if your card is expired or the check period lapses.

The regulations make no provision for temporary or interim MSICs (see r. 6.08S). You must wait for a formal replacement.

Regulations allow only one valid MSIC per person (r. 6.08R(1))

Details

• Issuing a duplicate or 'backup' MSIC is not allowed.

An issuing body may issue a replacement MSIC (the replacement MSIC ) to the holder of another MSIC (the old MSIC ) issued by the issuing body if: (a) any of the following apply: (i) the old MSIC has been lost or destroyed, and the holder has given the issuing body a statutory declaration setting out the circumstances of the loss or destruction (which may be in the same document as the declaration referred to in paragraph (d)); (ii) the old MSIC has been stolen, and the holder has given the issuing body a copy of a police report, or other information issued by the police, regarding the theft; (iii) the holder's name has changed, and the holder has notified the issuing body of the change in accordance with regulation 6.08LCA; (iv) the holder wishes to replace the old MSIC with the replacement MSIC because the holder has an operational need for the replacement MSIC; and (b) the holder has an operational need for the replacement MSIC; and (c) in a case where the replacement MSIC is a different kind of MSIC from the old MSIC--the holder has given the issuing body evidence of the holder's operational need for the replacement MSIC; and (d) the holder has given the issuing body a statutory declaration stating that, since his or her background checks were completed, he or she has not been convicted of a maritime-security-relevant offence.

You must return the old card to the issuing body - it's no longer valid.

No, there's no set limit, but repeated losses may trigger extra checks or investigation.

If your MSIC is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you are legally required to notify your issuing body within 7 days of becoming aware of the loss or theft.

Lost or Destroyed

You must:

• Make a report to the issuing body in the form of a statutory declaration within 7 days.
• The declaration must describe the circumstances of the loss or destruction.

Stolen

You must:

• Provide the issuing body with a copy of a police report, or other documentation issued by police about the theft, within 7 days of becoming aware of it.

Regulatory Reference

Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003, Regulation 6.08R(1):

A holder of a blue MSIC commits an offence if they fail to:

1. Make a statutory declaration reporting the loss, theft, or destruction of the MSIC within 7 days of becoming aware of it; or
2. If the MSIC was stolen, provide the issuing body with a police report (or other information issued by police about the theft) within 7 days.

Failure to report as required is an offence under the regulations.

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The regulations do not prohibit an employer from helping, but the replacement process (r. 6.08S) requires the applicant's identity to be verified and all standard evidence to be provided.

Employer assistance is allowed as long as regulatory requirements are met.

If your MSIC is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you are required by regulation to notify your issuing body within 7 days of becoming aware of the loss or theft.' Lost or Destroyed: Make a report to the issuing body in the form of a statutory declaration within 7 days, describing the circumstances.' Stolen: Provide the issuing body a copy of a police report, or other information issued by the police regarding the theft, within 7 days.Reference: Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003, regulation 6.08R(1):'The holder of a blue MSIC commits an offence if'he or she does not:' make a report, in the form of a statutory declaration, of the loss to the issuing body'within 7 days of becoming aware of the loss, theft or destruction; or' if the MSIC was stolen'give the issuing body a copy of a police report, or other information issued by the police, regarding the theft, within 7 days of becoming aware of the theft.'Failure to report as required is an offence under the regulations.

The regulations require you to report a lost or stolen MSIC to the issuing body 'as soon as practicable' (r. 6.08S(1))

Details

• While not mandated in the regs, employer notification is a standard work requirement for safety and compliance.

You must not enter or remain in a maritime security zone unless you are properly displaying your valid MSIC (r. 6.07J(1)). If your card is lost or stolen, you are not permitted to access these areas until you receive a replacement.

The issuing body must issue a replacement if satisfied the card is damaged, lost, stolen, or no longer works (r. 6.08S(2)). You must follow the replacement application process.

A new (replacement) MSIC is required if your name changes (r. 6.08L, r. 6.08LCA), if your card is lost, stolen, destroyed (r. 6.08L, r. 6.08R), or you have an operational need for a different kind of MSIC. Updates

Details

• changes to address (for cards >2 years) must be reported
• but do not always require a new card (r. 6.08LD)

ClientView aims to process complete, correct MSIC applications promptly, but overall timeframes depend on verification and AusCheck background checks.

Factors that influence timing:

• How quickly your identity and operational need documents can be verified.
• Whether the application information is complete or needs clarification.
• The time taken by AusCheck to complete background checking.
• Printing and delivery time once the application is approved.

Submitting accurate documents early and responding quickly to any queries will help your card be approved as fast as possible.

Operational need is defined in r. 6.07F(1)

Details

• ClientView's requires a company letter that spells out the role, tasks and zone(s) where unescorted access is required, and the issuing officer must confirm that need before printing the card?

Evidence may

Details

• a letter from your employer
• contract of employment
• or other official documentation proving you require unmonitored access to maritime security zones. (See r. 6.07F; r. 6.08C(1)(a))

Identification documents must be current and valid

Details

• Address proof (Category D) must be less than 6 months old at the time of application. (See r. 6.08BB(2)(a)(iv))

You need a letter or evidence from your employer to prove your operational need for an MSIC, unless applying 'job ready.' For 'job ready,' operational need must be proven before the card is issued. (See r. 6.07F; r. 6.08C(1)(a))

A person classed as a 'visitor' does not need their own MSIC if they are escorted by a card holder who complies with the escorting procedures; see r. 6.07J(2)(a) and definitions of visitor/escort

Details

• The escort risks a 5 penalty unit fine if they fail to monitor the visitor (r. 6.07L).

The regulations mandate compliance and specify obligations for all maritime security zones (r. 6.07J; r. 6.07Q)

Details

• Enforcement detail (e.g., how strictly sites check MSICs) is not described in the regulations and depends on each site's security management.

Private ownership or operation does not change the requirement

Details

• If a private port or terminal is declared a maritime security zone, all standard MSIC rules apply (r. 6.07A(1)(c); r. 6.07B).

The MSIC regime is national (r. 6.07B(1))

Details

• Tasmania's ports are subject to the same requirements as all Australian states, MSICs are needed only for declared maritime security zones.

MSICs are for commercial maritime security zones under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003. Naval bases are managed by the Department of Defence and are not subject to MSIC regulations (see the scope of r. 6.07A(1)).

Small boat harbors generally do not require MSICs unless they are declared maritime security zones (r. 6.07A(1)(c); r. 6.07B)

Details

• Always check with the site operator.

Offshore platforms are not covered by MSIC regulations unless they are declared a 'maritime security zone' under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 and corresponding regulations (r. 6.07A(1)(c); r. 6.07B)

Details

• Most are not.

The MSIC is a national credential (r. 6.07B(1))'there are not separate state MSICs

Details

• It is valid at any maritime security zone in Australia.

The MSIC requirement applies only if the fishing port, or area within it, is declared a maritime security zone (r. 6.07A(1)(c); r. 6.07B)

Details

• Many fishing ports are not covered
• Check with the operator.

The regulations require notification to the issuing body 'as soon as practicable' after you know your card is lost or stolen (r. 6.08S(1))

Details

• The issuing body will then take appropriate action.

The regulations do not prescribe a specific timeframe for replacement (see r. 6.08S(2))

Details

• Issuing bodies must act 'as soon as practicable,' but the actual time depends on their procedures.

The regulations require you to report a lost or stolen MSIC to the issuing body 'as soon as practicable' (r. 6.08S(1))

Details

• While not mandated in the regs, employer notification is a standard work requirement for safety and compliance.

The regulations do not prohibit an employer from helping, but the replacement process (r. 6.08S) requires the applicant's identity to be verified and all standard evidence to be provided

Details

• Employer assistance is allowed as long as regulatory requirements are met.

You must not enter or remain in a maritime security zone unless you are properly displaying your valid MSIC (r. 6.07J(1))

Details

• If your card is lost or stolen, you are not permitted to access these areas until you receive a replacement.

The issuing body must issue a replacement if satisfied the card is damaged, lost, stolen, or no longer works (r. 6.08S(2))

Details

• You must follow the replacement application process.

The MSIC system is national (r. 6.07B(1)), and all requirements in Part 6 of the Regulations apply to any declared maritime security zone in Australia

Details

• Local operators may have additional procedures, but core MSIC requirements are uniform.

ClientView records MSIC expiry dates in the corporate portal and uses proactive reminders so renewals can be started and approved before cards lapse.

How renewals are managed

• Each cardholder record includes card type, issuing date and expiry date.
• Administrators can view upcoming expiries by site, role or cost centre.
• Reminder prompts make it easy to start renewal applications well ahead of expiry.
• Renewal status can be monitored through to card production and dispatch.

This approach reduces last minute renewals and helps keep critical staff continuously compliant and able to work.

Holders must return expired MSICs within 30 days or face a 10 penalty unit fine under r. 6.08P(1)(2)

Details

• ClientView issues email/SMS prompts at 14,30 and 60 days post expiry, escalating to written notice and statutory declaration packs.

If your MSIC was issued for more than 2 years, you must notify your issuing body in writing of all changes to your residential address by no later than 2 years and 30 days before the card's expiry (r. 6.08LD)

Details

• Failure to do so is an offence
• The issuing body must update AusCheck within 7 days (r. 6.08LDA).

If your citizenship or visa status changes and you are no longer eligible to work in Australia, your MSIC must be cancelled (r. 6.08M(1)(d))

Details

• You are required to notify your issuing body of any changes affecting your eligibility.

If your appearance changes so much that your photo is no longer a reliable means of identification, you are required to notify your issuing body 'as soon as practicable' (r. 6.08Q(1)(c))

Details

• The issuing body must then arrange for a new photograph to be taken and issue a replacement MSIC (r. 6.08Q(2))
• You cannot use a card with an outdated photo for entry to maritime security zones
• Failing to update your photo can result in your MSIC being invalid for access.

If you legally change your name, you must notify your issuing body in person within 30 days and provide an original, valid document showing the new name

Details

• The issuing body must notify AusCheck and issue a replacement MSIC.

Regulation references

r. 6.08LCA, r. 6.08L

A new (replacement) MSIC is required if your name changes (r. 6.08L, r. 6.08LCA), if your card is lost, stolen, destroyed (r. 6.08L, r. 6.08R), or you have an operational need for a different kind of MSIC. Updates

Details

• changes to address (for cards >2 years) must be reported
• but do not always require a new card (r. 6.08LD)

If your MSIC is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you must notify your issuing body within 7 days (r. 6.08R)

Details

• For other security concerns, contact your issuing body as soon as possible for guidance.

There is no requirement in the MSIC regulations to advise the issuing body of travel outside Australia. Your card remains valid in Australian maritime security zones regardless of overseas absence. You only need to notify for events specified in the regulations'

Details

• a change of name (r. 6.08LCA) or residential address (r. 6.08LD)'not for travel

To maintain continuous MSIC validity, you must have an ongoing operational need (r. 6.08C(1)(a)), keep your personal details current, and ensure your background check remains valid

Details

• Your MSIC expires after 2 or 4 years from your background check, or earlier if you lose operational need, fail a check, or have changes in status (see r. 6.08I, r. 6.08M(1)(f)-(g), r. 6.08C)
• You must return your card if it expires or you lose operational need (r. 6.08P, r. 6.08Q).

Your MSIC only needs updating if your personal details or operational need change in a way covered by the regulations (

Details

• a name change under r. 6.08LCA or a change of residential address under r. 6.08LD). New professional qualifications alone do not trigger an update. You only notify and replace the card when one of the specific regulatory events occurs

Your MSIC only needs updating if your personal details or operational need change in a way covered by the regulations (

Details

• a name change under r. 6.08LCA or a change of residential address under r. 6.08LD). New professional qualifications alone do not trigger an update. You only notify and replace the card when one of the specific regulatory events occurs

The regulations do not provide for 'endorsements' to be tacked onto an existing MSIC. If you need a different card type or access conditions (

Details

• a white MSIC instead of blue
• or new operational-need criteria)
• you must apply for a replacement MSIC under regulation 6.08L. This involves submitting a statutory declaration and any new evidence of operational need
• and your replacement card will carry the updated authorisations but retain the original expiry date

Regulation 6.08C(1)(c) explicitly provides for international worker eligibility through multiple pathways:

Primary Pathway - Work Visa Holders (6.08C(1)(c)(ii)): "the issuing body is satisfied that the person holds a visa entitling him or her to work in Australia" Must have current Australian work visa Visa type must permit employment MSIC validity limited to visa expiry (Regulation 6.08I(2)(b))

Alternative Pathway - AISR Crew (6.08C(1)(c)(iii)): "the issuing body is satisfied that the person is a crew member of a regulated Australian ship that is registered in the Australian International Shipping Register" Don't need work visas Limited to 2-year MSICs (Regulation 6.08I(2)(d)) Must be crew of specifically registered vessels

Special Provisions for Foreign Workers:

• Foreign officials may obtain white MSICs for official duties (Regulation 6.07F(2)(c))
• Foreign crew in offshore zones have exemptions (Regulation 6.07J(2)(g))
• Foreign documents may need authentication under Hague Convention (Regulation 6.07H)
• Non-English documents require certified translations (Regulation 6.07HA)
• Practical Considerations: Same background check requirements apply
• Must meet operational need test
• May face document authentication requirements
• Visa expiry creates MSIC expiry regardless of 2 or 4-year selection