Pending amendments to the Seacare scheme exemption guidelines and application form

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Tony Burke MP, issued the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Directions 2023 which came into effect on 1 July 2023.

The Seacare Authority is in the process of reviewing its exemption guidelines and exemption form, to ensure that they support the Ministerial Directions. As part of this update to the guidelines and form, the Seacare Authority will require that employers submit an application for an exemption 14 days prior to the commencement of the exemption, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

We encourage scheme employers to provide as much time as possible for the assessment and granting of an exemption. You are welcome to contact the Seacare Authority Secretariat to advise of a potential or upcoming exemption; this may assist with facilitating a faster turnaround time for exemptions.

Further information will be made available once the Seacare Authority has finalised its revised exemption guidelines and forms.