Navigation (Examination of Engineers) Regulations 1926 (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1979 No. 213, made under the Navigation Act 1912, addresses the need to update various fees associated with examinations and endorsements for engineering certificates in maritime navigation. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to amend the existing Navigation (Examination of Engineers) Regulations 1926. The primary objective is to revise the financial requirements for obtaining and renewing maritime engineering certificates to reflect current economic conditions and administrative costs. These amendments include increasing fees for the replacement of lost or defaced certificates, adjustments to fees for practical knowledge assessments, and changes to fees for workshop tests and endorsements of engineer certificates.

Scope and Application

These Regulations, made under the Navigation Act 1912, apply to the examination and certification of marine engineers within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically addressing the fees and procedures for the examination of engineers and the renewal or replacement of lost or defaced certificates. The scope of the Regulations is limited to the amendments of the Navigation (Examination of Engineers) Regulations 1926, focusing on the financial aspects of the examination process, including the fees for various certificates and endorsements, and the process for renewing certificates that have been lost or defaced. The Regulations are applicable to individuals and entities involved in the maritime industry, particularly engineers seeking certification or endorsement of their qualifications. The adjustments made to the fees reflect an update to the economic context of the time, ensuring that the regulatory framework remains current and effective. While the Regulations primarily concern procedural and financial matters, they do not introduce any exclusions or exemptions beyond those already stipulated in the original 1926 Regulations, which may be subject to further modification through subordinate instruments as required.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1979 No. 213, under the Navigation Act 1912, introduce amendments to the Navigation (Examination of Engineers) Regulations 1926. The primary focus of these amendments is to adjust the fees associated with various certificates and examinations for marine engineers. Regulation 27, which addresses the renewal of lost or defaced certificates, now requires a fee of $6 (sub-reg. 27(4)). Regulation 81, concerning the practical knowledge requirement for engineers, increases the fee to $18 (sub-reg. 81(4)). Additionally, Regulation 82, which pertains to the fees for workshop tests, has been revised to set fees at $48, $18, and $30 respectively (sub-reg. 82(1)). The Fifth Schedule, which outlines the fees for various certificates, is amended to $30 (Schedule 5). The Eleventh Schedule, detailing the fees for different types of certificates and endorsements, has been updated to reflect new fee structures ranging from $12 to $90, depending on the certificate and the applicant's prior qualifications. These amendments impose specific financial obligations on individuals seeking to obtain or renew marine engineer certificates. Applicants now need to pay higher fees for certificate renewals, practical knowledge assessments, and workshop tests. The updated fees for certificates and endorsements vary based on the type of certificate and the applicant's previous qualifications. For instance, a Second Class Engineer's Certificate now costs $36, while a First Class Engineer's Certificate for an applicant without a valid Second Class Certificate costs $72. These financial obligations ensure that applicants meet the required standards and that the certification process is adequately funded. The amendments do not explicitly state any new offences or penalties for non-compliance with the updated fees. However, failure to pay the correct fee when presenting for an examination or endorsement could potentially lead to disqualification from the examination or the endorsement process. This could have significant implications for individuals seeking to pursue or advance their careers in marine engineering. The absence of specified penalties in the text suggests that the primary consequence of non-compliance would be the inability to proceed with the examination or endorsement, rather than a specific fine or imprisonment.