The Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) is a consistent maritime identification card issued to identify a person who has been the subject of a background check to ensure port security is consistent Australia-wide.
It shows that the holder has met minimum security requirements to work unescorted or unmonitored in a maritime security zone.
The MSIC is not an access card. Pilbara Ports still controls access to its maritime security zones, which is completed through a seperate process. For more information about accessing a one of our Ports, please head to our Site Induction page.
MSIC’s are valid for either four years or two years. Those with a four-year card must undergo a second background check after two years.
If your occupation or business interests require you to have unescorted or unmonitored access to a maritime security zone at least once a year, you will need an MSIC.
People who fall into this category may include:
You will also need to submit an operational needs letter from your employer or maritime industry participant stating that you have an operational need to work unescorted in a maritime security zone.
If you do not require access to a maritime security zone more than once a year, you may still enter these zones as an escorted visitor.
Once your MSIC application has been lodged, the issuing body will:
AusCheck is responsible for coordinating background checks of MSIC applicants and people who are involved in the issue of MSIC’s.
Background checks include:
If you are concerned about privacy of your personal details, read the AusCheck Privacy Notice.
An MSIC may not be issued to applicants with an adverse criminal record.
In certain circumstances, these individuals may undergo our discretionary MSIC issuing process.
For more information on the discretionary MSIC process, please contact AusCheck on 1300 097 974.
A person has an adverse criminal record if he or she has been convicted of a maritime security relevant offence and sentenced to imprisonment for the offence (including a suspended sentence, periodic detention, home-based detention, and detention until the rising of the court).
If your MSIC is refused, you will be informed of the reason for the decision and your legal rights for a reconsideration or appeal.
You can submit your appeal to Department of Home Affairs here.
If you believe that your criminal history certificate has offences listed incorrectly, you should contact AusCheck on 1300 097 974 to arrange a correction to your record.
As of the 23 August 2021, the Department of Home Affairs implemented a new criteria in which MSIC applicants are assessed against. A maritime security relevant offence is an offence under Tier 1, 2 or 3 of Schedule 1 of the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations (2003) or similar offences against a law of a State or Territory, or of any other country or part of a country.
Tier 1 offences
The following table lists offences that are Tier 1 maritime‑security‑relevant offences.
Tier 1 maritime‑security‑relevant offences
Item
Offence
1
An offence involving terrorism.
2
An offence involving treason, advocating terrorism or genocide, or urging violence.
3
An offence involving espionage or selling national secrets.
4
An offence relating to engagement in hostile activities in a foreign country or involvement with foreign armed forces.
5
An offence relating to weapons of mass destruction.
6
An offence involving hijacking or destroying an aircraft, vessel or offshore facility that is used in commerce or owned by the government.
7
An offence involving endangerment of an aircraft, airport, vessel, port or offshore facility that is used in commerce or owned by the government.
8
An offence involving an act of piracy at sea.
9
An offence relating to involvement with a criminal organisation or gang.
10
An offence involving the smuggling or trafficking of people.
Tier 2 offences
The following table lists offences that are Tier 2 maritime‑security‑relevant offences.
Tier 2 maritime‑security‑relevant offences
An offence relating to assaulting or threatening a person on an aircraft, vessel or offshore facility, or in an airport or port.
An offence relating to theft of an aircraft or vessel that is used in commerce or owned by the government.
An offence relating to questioning conducted by a person or body investigating serious crime or corruption.
An offence under the Act that is punishable by imprisonment (whether or not the person is in fact sentenced to imprisonment).
An offence under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 that is punishable by imprisonment (whether or not the person is in fact sentenced to imprisonment).
Tier 3 offences
The following table lists offences that are tier 3 maritime‑security‑relevant offences.
Tier 3 maritime‑security‑relevant offences
Murder or manslaughter.
An offence relating to false imprisonment, deprivation of liberty or taking a hostage.
An offence relating to assault (other than offences referred to in clauses 1 and 2 of this Schedule), including indecent or sexual assault.
An offence relating to the sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child.
An offence relating to intimidation (other than offences referred to in clauses 1 and 2 of this Schedule).
An offence relating to endangerment of others (other than offences referred to in clauses 1 and 2 of this Schedule), but not including traffic offences except where a vehicle is used as a weapon.
An offence relating to affray or riot.
An offence relating to assaulting or resisting a law enforcement officer or other public officer.
An offence of impersonating a law enforcement officer or other public officer.
An offence of racial hatred or racial vilification.
11
An offence relating to firearms, ammunition, weapons or the use of an item as a weapon.
12
An offence relating to explosives or explosive devices.
13
Arson or an offence of a kind equivalent to arson.
14
An offence relating to production, possession, supply, import or export of an illegal drug or controlled substance.
15
An offence relating to illegal import or export of goods, fauna or flora.
16
An offence relating to interference with goods under customs control.
17
An offence relating to extortion or blackmail.
18
An offence relating to theft (other than offences referred to in clauses 1and 2 of this Schedule).
19
An offence relating to forgery or fraud.
20
An offence relating to tax evasion.
21
An offence relating to money laundering or currency violations.
22
An offence relating to dealing with proceeds of crime.
23
An offence relating to bribery or corruption.
24
An offence of perjury or otherwise relating to perversion of the course of justice.
25
An offence relating to use of a false identity or false identity documents.
26
An offence relating to the unauthorised use, access, modification or destruction of data or electronic communications.
Please note that speeding fines, parking tickets, general driving offences and minor drug offences are not considered to be maritime security relevant offences.
More information can be found here.
Apply for an MSIC