2023-32 Plant Export Operations – Applications for accreditation under the AGSA scheme

19 June 2023

Purpose

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) is now accepting applications from marine surveyors to become accredited under the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance (AGSA) scheme.

Summary of changes and key points

The AGSA scheme is commencing on 1 July 2023.
The scheme will be administered by AIMS and will be overseen by us.
Marine surveyors must be accredited by AIMS and appear on the list of accredited grain surveyors to continue performing bulk vessel surveys for grain after 1 July 2023.
AIMS will now be accepting applications from eligible marine surveyors to be accredited under the scheme to perform grain surveys under the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2021.
An application for accreditation under the scheme must be made through the AIMS website and include the following qualification and experience evidence:

Qualification evidence

Experience evidence

Certified copy of your qualification in one of the following:

Master Class 1 (Unrestricted) Certificate, or
Master grade Certificate of Competency as outlined under Schedule 1 of Marine Orders 71 (Masters and desk officers) 2014 made under the Navigation Act 2021.
Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited).
Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Marine Surveying with the modules for dry bulk cargo and grain operations.
Diploma of Maritime Operations (Watchkeeper Deck) with modules for dry bulk cargo and grain operations.

Either a demonstrated 12 months experience on a bulk carrier with at least 6 months in the capacity of Chief Officer, by way of:

Sea service record, or
The following evidence accompanied by an Australian Commonwealth Statutory Declaration:
1. Discharge notices
2. Evidence of sea service
3. Employer or client reference
4. Resume.

Or, minimum 3 years’ experience as a marine surveyor of bulk carriers, by way of:

Verifiable Fitness to Load Surveys for each of the previous 3 years.

Marine surveyors applying for accreditation must also provide evidence to AIMS that they hold Professional Indemnity Insurance to a minimum amount of $1,000,000.
Marine surveyors are advised to contact AIMS directly to follow up progress of their application and not us.
Further information is available in the ‘Fact sheet - changes affecting export bulk vessels’ and on the plant export legislation changes webpage.

Background

The Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2021 (Plant Rules) set the requirements for the export of plants and plant products.

On 1 January 2022, amendments were made to the Plant Rules to clarify the requirements for marine surveyors to be accredited to perform bulk vessel surveys. The amendments also set out the Secretary’s powers to suspend or revoke a bulk vessel approval where a marine surveyor’s certificate is not issued by a marine surveyor accredited under the AGSA scheme.

On 1 July 2023, these amendments will take effect.

Marine surveyor responsibilities

Marine surveyors will need to apply to AIMS for accreditation.
Note: AIMS members and non-members can apply.
There will be an initial application fee ($150) per marine surveyor.
There will be an annual accreditation fee ($250) per marine surveyor.
Marine surveyors must hold Professional Indemnity Insurance to a minimum amount of $1,000,000.
The names of accredited marine surveyors will be published in a list on the AIMS website, and surveyors will be issued identification cards.

Exporter and shipping company responsibilities

From 1 July 2023, exporters and shipping companies must source accredited marine surveyors to perform bulk vessel surveys for the export of grain.

Authorised officer responsibilities

From 1 July 2023, authorised officers (AOs) appointed in the job function BVI3001: Export inspection of empty bulk vessels (BVI AO) must confirm that the marine surveyor who surveyed the vessel is accredited under the AGSA scheme before accepting the marine surveyor certificate (or fitness to load certificate).
BVI AOs must continue to operate in line with current instructional material available in the Plant Export Operations Manual.