Albanese Government backs maritime skills and training

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $16.9 million to support skills and training in the maritime industry. 

A new maritime skills and training initiative will give up to 20 trainee seafarers each year, for four years, access to berths to complete sea time required for international certification.

This will support the Government’s maritime Strategic Fleet and the broader industry.

$2.5 million will also flow to the Transport and Logistics Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) to address training barriers, and ultimately Australia’s maritime skills shortage.

The JSC’s 2024 Maritime Workforce Plan confirmed that access to training berths is a major issue, with lacking coordination across industry and training providers resulting in sea time not being effectively accessed and utilised.

Today’s announcement directly responds to recommendations identified by both the Maritime Workforce Plan and Strategic Fleet Taskforce Final Report, and will also support the implementation and long-term sustainability of a maritime Strategic Fleet.

The Government released the Strategic Fleet Taskforce Final Report in November 2023, before undertaking targeted consultation with vessel operators and unions.

We are now moving ahead with delivering on the report’s recommendations. 

Late last year, the Strategic Fleet Pilot tender closed and proposals are now being evaluated as part of a competitive, open and transparent procurement process.

The Government also appointed Ms Lynelle Briggs and Prof Nicholas Gaskell to co-chair reviews of the Shipping Registration Act 1981 and Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 to support the long-term sustainability of Australia’s maritime industry and Strategic Fleet, which are now underway.

Meanwhile, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is collaborating with the Fair Work Ombudsman to address wage theft issues aboard foreign-flagged vessels operating under the Coastal Trading Act, signing an updated Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“Our investment in a new skills and training program will give trainee seafarers vital access to berths onboard vessels – including those under contract to the Australian Government – needed to meet their international certification. 

“Not only will this be welcome news for vocational and tertiary level qualified seafarers in need of sea time, it will also support the vessels offering the training berths.

“This is yet another demonstration of our Government’s commitment to investing in a sustainable maritime industry, one with the skills needed to thrive into the future.”

Quotes attributable to Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles:

“The maritime industry is so important to the Australian economy, so it is critical that we have the skilled seafarers to keep it afloat.

“We’ve recently established a Maritime Skills Network, bringing together government, industry and unions, to come up with solutions to challenges in the sector and this announcement will go a long way towards workforce shortage concerns.

“This program will ensure a pipeline of trained Australian seafarers over the coming years that can fill critical functions such as harbour masters, marine pilots and regulatory roles protecting our environment and the safety of vessels operating in our waters.”