Ballast water management requirements in Australia

Ballast water in Australian seas is regulated under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and associated instruments, including the Biosecurity (Ballast Water and Sediments) Determination. The Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements, published by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, explain how vessel operators should manage ballast water when operating in Australian seas.

Australia is a party to the BWM Convention. Alignment with the Convention does not mean that Australian biosecurity requirements can be ignored, or that an IMO type-approved BWMS is a complete answer to every Australian voyage.

This article is general information. It is not vessel-specific regulatory, class or legal advice. Requirements vary by vessel, flag, class, voyage and operating area. Confirm current primary sources before relying on any statement.

What operators are generally required to do

In general terms, vessels are required to manage ballast water prior to arrival in Australian seas and between Australian ports, to carry a ballast water management plan and certificate where applicable, and to maintain ballast water records. From 8 September 2019, vessels using ballast water have been required to meet the D-2 discharge standard at their next renewal survey. Australian Government material states that from 8 September 2024 all relevant vessels should be D-2 compliant.

Always confirm the current DAFF requirements. This article does not list exemptions, same-risk-area arrangements, or reporting methods in full.

Inspections and operating systems

Australian biosecurity officers inspect ballast water management. Published inspection material has identified non-compliances including ignored BWMS alarms, uptake or discharge in bypass, and tampering with alarm settings. Discharge of unmanaged ballast in Australian territorial waters can be an offence under the Biosecurity Act.

An installed BWMS that is not operated within its design limits is not a biosecurity control. Maintenance, consumables, crew competence and truthful recording are part of the Australian operating requirement.

How this sits with equipment selection

Choosing a type-approved BWMS is necessary but not sufficient. The system has to be approved for the intended context, installed so that it can treat the vessel’s ballast operations, and kept in a condition that Australian inspectors will recognise as managed ballast.

BallastWater.com.au is not a regulator, classification society or compliance certifier. For current rules, use the Australian Government and IMO sources linked from this page.