Port of Townsville Limited operates two declared security regulated ports in North Queensland: the Port of Townsville, Northern Australia's largest container and automotive port, and the Port of Lucinda, 100 kilometres north, the region's prime sugar export facility. One MSIC covers both, and every other regulated port and offshore facility in Australia, and this page brings together what applies at each and how to get your card through ClientView.
Illustration of the port, not a photograph.
Each port below is separately declared a security regulated port under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003. One MSIC covers all of them, and every other regulated port and offshore facility in Australia.
Each port below shows the participating Australia Post outlet closest to it, but you do not have to use that one. Any participating outlet in Australia can verify your identity, and for most people the easiest one is near home, not near the wharf. Not every Post Office offers the service, so use our one-minute guide to find one that does: Find an Australia Post MSIC verifier near you.
The Port of Townsville is operated by Port of Townsville Limited. In the operator's own words, its Chief Executive Officer "is responsible for the strategic leadership, direction and operation of the Ports of Townsville and Lucinda." (Port of Townsville Limited, Leadership page, checked 22 September 2026)
Verify your identity at
Townsville Post Office, Post Office Plaza, Shop 1, 152-160 Sturt Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
The Port of Lucinda is operated by Port of Townsville Limited. In the operator's own words, its Chief Executive Officer "is responsible for the strategic leadership, direction and operation of the Ports of Townsville and Lucinda." (Port of Townsville Limited, Leadership page, checked 22 September 2026)
Verify your identity at
Townsville Post Office, Post Office Plaza, Shop 1, 152-160 Sturt Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
An MSIC shows you have passed the AusCheck background check. Your port or terminal operator decides who enters, and runs the inductions, permits and access cards. Your MSIC and permission to enter are separate. Port of Townsville Limited's own pages state the MSIC is not an access control card: access to maritime security zones is managed by the Maritime Industry Participant or facility operator, and Port Users also need a separate Port of Townsville access card and online induction. Confirm current requirements with Port of Townsville Limited or your employer before you travel.
Port of Townsville Limited requires anyone who needs unmonitored access to a maritime security zone at the Port of Townsville or the Port of Lucinda at least once a year to hold and display a valid MSIC. Its own pages state that the MSIC is not an access control card, and that access to maritime security zones is managed separately by the Maritime Industry Participant or facility operator.
From 14 July 2023, Port of Townsville Limited no longer processes MSIC applications itself. Its own MSIC page states that the Department of Home Affairs is the single issuing body for MSICs across Australia and directs applicants to apply via Home Affairs' AusCheck website; the page states plainly that the Port of Townsville does not provide technical support for the MSIC online induction.
ClientView is an Australian Government authorised MSIC issuing body, offering the same card and the same AusCheck background check, completed online with identity verified at a participating Australia Post outlet.
Separately, all Port Users (including truck drivers, delivery services and contractors) also need a Port of Townsville access card and online induction, which is a separate process from the MSIC itself. Confirm current requirements with Port of Townsville Limited or your employer before your first visit.
"Anyone working within a maritime security zone is required to have and display a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC). If you need to enter a maritime security zone even once a year, you will need an MSIC. The MSIC is a nationally consistent identification card which confirms that the holder has met the minimum background checking requirements to work in a maritime and/or offshore security zone."
The Port of Townsville and the Port of Lucinda are both security regulated ports declared under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003, and both are owned and operated by Port of Townsville Limited: the Port of Townsville (C2025G00543, registered 29 September 2025) and the Port of Lucinda (C2020G00974, registered 3 December 2020). Both instruments were confirmed in force on the Federal Register of Legislation on 22 September 2026.
Under regulation 6.07F(1) of the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003, anyone who needs unmonitored access to a maritime security zone at either port at least once a year must hold a valid MSIC. The card is national: issued once, it is valid at both Port of Townsville Limited locations and at every other regulated port and offshore facility in Australia.
Four steps. We lodge to AusCheck every business day, so nothing sits in a queue at our end.
Fill out the secure online form. Between 20 and 45 minutes online if you have your details to hand.
Visit any of at least 324 Australia Post outlets that offer the MSIC identity check (Australia Post outlet locator, 27 August 2026), or use your trained workplace verifier if your employer has one.
Once you are verified we submit your application to the Department of Home Affairs for the mandatory AusCheck background check.
After approval your MSIC is printed and dispatched by registered post to the address you nominate.
How long it takes
Apply at least six weeks before you need the card, so there is buffer even if your application falls outside the typical range. ClientView's measured processing time data, with its sample size, period and full methodology, is published and refreshed monthly at msic.com.au/msic-processing-times, which is the page that owns that dataset.
One all inclusive price covering the government background check fee, identity and document verification, secure lodgement and postage. No separate verification, finance or postage charges. Prices as at 18 August 2026. You will complete your application on our secure application portal, msic.au.
Get cleared before you get hired.
Job Ready lets you start your AusCheck background check before you have a job.Companies with a trained workplace verifier pay less
If your staff verify identity through your own trained workplace verifier rather than at Australia Post, the rate is $451.82 ex GST for a 2 year card and $765.45 ex GST for a 4 year card, a saving of $27.27 and $9.10 respectively.
If your organisation puts people onto Port of Townsville or Lucinda sites, ClientView's corporate portal lets you apply for, track and renew every MSIC in one place, and bulk applications take a single spreadsheet. Tell us and we will set it up.
If you need unmonitored access to a maritime security zone at the Port of Townsville or the Port of Lucinda at least once a year, yes. Escorted visitors and people who stay outside the security zones do not.
Yes. An MSIC is national. One card is valid at both Port of Townsville Limited locations and at every other regulated port and offshore facility in Australia.
Yes. ClientView is an Australian Government authorised MSIC issuing body, and the application runs fully online for both locations, with identity verified at a participating Australia Post outlet. Call 1300 855 960.
No. The operator's own page states that the MSIC is not an access control card, and that access to maritime security zones is managed separately by the Maritime Industry Participant or facility operator. Confirm current site access and induction requirements before you travel.
At a participating Australia Post outlet. The nearest to each location is shown on its card above; the nearest to you may be closer to home than to the port.
No. From 14 July 2023, the Port of Townsville no longer processes MSIC applications. Its own page directs applicants to apply via Home Affairs' AusCheck website. Online induction and the separate Port of Townsville access card remain the Port's own requirements, on top of the MSIC.
ClientView has issued MSICs as an Australian Government authorised MSIC issuing body since 2005, and has served more than 5,000 companies.
An MSIC can only be issued by a body the Australian Government has authorised under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003, and the background check behind every card is run by AusCheck. If you are ever unsure about an issuing body, ask AusCheck before you pay.
You do not have to take our word for it. AusCheck publishes the list of MSIC issuing bodies, and you can read it yourself: the AusCheck issuing bodies list.
Port of Townsville Limited's own MSIC page states that anyone entering a maritime security zone at either port at least once a year needs an MSIC, and directs all applicants to apply for a new or renewed MSIC via the Department of Home Affairs' AusCheck website. The page states the Port of Townsville itself no longer processes MSIC applications, effective 14 July 2023.
One all inclusive price for a two year card, covering the government background check fee, identity and document verification, secure lodgement and postage. Prices as at 18 August 2026. See full pricing
ClientView issues your MSIC the same way at every Australian port: same price, same process, same team.
Applications lodged to AusCheck every business day. Transparent pricing, Australian owned, and a local team on the phone when you need one.
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