Fair Work Act 2009

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a range of resources to help employers and employees understand their rights and obligations under Australian workplace laws. The Fair Work Ombudsman can also investigate allegations of non-compliance with these laws.

Employees working in Australia are protected by the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Act 2009 applies to any fixed platform and some ships operating in Australian territorial waters, the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone or waters about the Continental Shelf.

More information is available on the Fair Work Ombudsman's Maritime industry—workplace rights and entitlements webpage.

Maritime Labour Convention

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is an international convention developed under the International Labour Organization (ILO). It consolidates a number of existing labour conventions, whilst incorporating the modernisation of standards relating to the working and living conditions of seafarers.

Australia is a signatory to the MLC which entered into force internationally on 20 August 2013.

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IMO/ILO Guidelines on Seafarers Welfare

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Labour Organization have developed and adopted three sets of non-mandatory guidelines to ensure the rights of seafarers are respected.

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