Maritime

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Maritime

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Industry

The Maritime Industry

The Maritime industry is crucial to Australia’s productivity and sovereign capability through its role in supporting supply chain resilience. The industry provides Australian producers with access to international markets and enables the movement of passengers and freight around the country.

Maritime
Workforce Intelligence

Maritime Supply Chain Data Dashboard

View our interactive workforce data dashboards.

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Workforce Planning

Maritime Workforce Planning Publications

Our Workforce Planning Publications identify key challenges, drivers and priorities for the industry.

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The four broad and interconnected priorities for the Maritime industry:
1
Access to a Skilled Workforce
2
Availability of Training
3
Preparedness for Change
4
Coordinated National Response
Maritime
Maritime industry activities can fall into, but are not limited to, five broad occupational areas:

Navigation

Roles responsible for safely directing and operating a vessel, including planning routes, monitoring conditions, managing bridge operations and ensuring compliance with maritime regulations.

Engineering

Roles focused on operating, maintaining and repairing a vessel’s mechanical and electrical systems, including engines, propulsion, power generation and onboard equipment essential for safe operations.

Deck Operations

Roles that carry out hands-on tasks essential to vessel operations, such as mooring, cargo handling, lookout duties, maintenance and assisting with deck or engine room activities as required.

Support Operations

Roles that enable vessel operations from both onboard and shore-based positions, such as logistics, safety management, administration and other functions that support crew and vessel performance.

Automated Operations

Roles that involve operating or supervising Autonomous Maritime Systems, including monitoring remote or semi-autonomous vessels, interpreting systems data and responding to technical or operational issues.

Maritime Workforce

Building Australia’s Maritime Workforce through the MSTI Program

The Australian Government established the Maritime Skills and Training Initiative (MSTI) program to support 20 trainees and cadets each year by providing them access to berths needed to complete the sea time required for international certification (STCW). The program is funded at $13.8 million from 2025–26 to 2028–29, with $3.451 million allocated annually.

Projects

Maritime Projects

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​​Supporting the decarbonisation of the ports and maritime ecosystem​
Maritime In Progress

​​Supporting the decarbonisation of the ports and maritime ecosystem​

Working in partnership with Powering Skills and Skills Insight, Industry Skills Australia will facilitate this project to review and identify gaps in skills and knowledge related to the storage, handling, and operational use of alternate fuels in the Maritime and Ports industries. This evidence-base will be used to inform Training Package reviews to enable upskilling of seafarers and associated workers to support workforce readiness for decarbonisation.

Project type Workforce Development
Completion due 30 June 2027
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Maritime

Strategic Workforce Planning Committee

Industry Skills Australia has established a Strategic Workforce Planning Committee for each major industry to sit at the heart of the Jobs and Skills Council. Comprising of senior industry leaders, these Committees are the central mechanism through which industry is empowered to identify its immediate and emerging priorities and the responses needed by the national skills system, industry and governments.

The Committees work on behalf of industry to shape and oversee the development of the national Workforce Plan and annual updates based on intelligence and consultation with key stakeholders from across Australia. The Maritime Strategic Workforce Planning Committee was established in November 2023.

The Maritime committee comprises of:

Angela Gillham Angela Gillham Chair

Maritime Industry Australia Ltd (MIAL)
Glen Williams Glen Williams Deputy Chair

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
Captain Joanne Mackintosh Captain Joanne Mackintosh Committee Member

Department of Defence
Chris Ha Chris Ha Committee Member

SeaLink
Dane O’Brien Dane O’Brien Committee Member

Svitzer Australia Pty Ltd
Gareth Phillips Gareth Phillips Committee Member

Assoc of Marine Park Tourism Operators
Jarrod Moran Jarrod Moran Committee Member

Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU)
Jeff Hinnrichsen Jeff Hinnrichsen Committee Member

PortWays Aust Pty Ltd
Terms of Reference

Maritime Strategic Workforce Planning Committee

View the Maritime Strategic Workforce Planning Committee Terms of Reference.

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Industry Engagement Manager

Anna Jerrems

With over 20 years’ experience in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, Anna has developed an extensive knowledge of the VET system. Her roles have involved RTO management, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and contract management. Anna holds qualifications in education and training, VET policy and auditing.

Contact

Contact Anna Jerrems

For any enquiries about the Maritime Strategic Workforce Planning Committee, contact the Industry Engagement Manager.

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Case Studies

Maritime Case Studies

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Maritime News

Latest News

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Upcoming Events

Events

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03 Sep Adelaide Roadshow 3 Sep 2026, 8:15 am JOIN THE CONVERSATION. HELP SHAPE WHAT’S NEXT. Industry Skills Australia (ISA) invites you to join our upcoming Adelaide… → 15 Sep Brisbane Roadshow 15 Sep 2026, 8:15 am JOIN THE CONVERSATION. HELP SHAPE WHAT’S NEXT. Industry Skills Australia (ISA) invites you to join our upcoming Brisbane… → 10 Nov Melbourne Roadshow 10 Nov 2026, 8:15 am JOIN THE CONVERSATION. HELP SHAPE WHAT’S NEXT. Industry Skills Australia (ISA) invites you to join our upcoming Melbourne… →

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