Foreign Crew (Non-Military Ships)
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Master's responsibilities
The master of the vessel is responsible for ensuring all persons onboard have correct and valid travel documentation, and are the rightful holders of that documentation. If a foreign crew member arrives without the required documentation they may be denied shore leave, restricted onboard the vessel, and a penalty may be issued to the carrier.
See: Obligations & Liabilities
Supernumeraries
Supernumerary crew may not have a seafarer’s identity document, instead they may use an identity card issued by the shipping company, or a crewmember’s employment contract.
Partners and dependants
Partners and dependant children of crew who enter Australia by sea must also hold a Maritime Crew Visa (MCV) or other valid visa for Australia. If they hold an MCV they are required to:
- hold a valid passport
- travel on the same vessel as the crewmember, and
- be included on the crew list and identified as a partner or dependant.
Joining a vessel in Australia
Foreign crew who fly to Australia to sign-on to a commercial vessel (other than a vessel being imported into Australia by Customs) require a valid visa or electronic travel authority, as well as a Maritime Crew Visa which allows them to sign-on to a vessel.
See: Special Purpose Visa
New crew requirement from 1 January 2008
From 1 January 2008, all foreign crew of non-military ships, their partners and dependants, must hold a Maritime Crew Visa (MCV). This visa replaces the Special Purpose Visa (SPV).
See: Maritime Crew Visa