Navigation (Health) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1976 No. 279, made under the authority of the Navigation Act 1912, amends the Navigation (Health) Regulations to update the prescribed fees for medical examinations of seafarers. Enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations aim to ensure the health and safety of maritime personnel by maintaining current and practical fee structures. The amendments, effective from 1 January 1977, adjust the fees for various medical examination services, reflecting changes in economic conditions and the cost of healthcare services, thereby ensuring that the regulatory framework remains effective and relevant. The policy objective is to uphold public health standards in maritime operations, aligning with international maritime health regulations.

Scope and Application

Statutory Rules 1976 No. 279, made under the Navigation Act 1912, primarily serves to amend the Navigation (Health) Regulations by adjusting the prescribed fees for medical examinations related to maritime personnel. These Regulations apply to all persons, specifically crew members of ships, who require health certification to operate within Australian waters. The amendments set forth new fees for these medical examinations, with the previous charges being updated to reflect current economic conditions. The scope of these Regulations is limited to the health-related aspects of maritime operations and do not extend to other areas such as ship registration or safety standards, which are governed by other provisions of the Navigation Act 1912 and its subsidiary legislation. These Regulations are effective from 1 January 1977 and are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring consistency in the fees charged for health examinations for maritime workers throughout the nation. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned in these Regulations, and they apply uniformly to all relevant persons within the designated scope.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1976 No. 279, which are Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912, provide specific amendments to the Navigation (Health) Regulations. The Regulations come into effect on 1 January 1977 (section 1). One of the primary changes is the adjustment of prescribed fees for medical examinations (section 2). Specifically, section 2(a) of regulation 4 modifies the fee from one dollar to two dollars. Similarly, section 2(b) changes the fee from three dollars to five dollars, and section 2(c) updates the fee from twenty-five cents to forty cents. These Regulations impose certain obligations on parties involved in maritime health examinations. For example, they require that individuals seeking employment on vessels or those requiring medical certification for such employment undergo the stipulated medical examinations (section 2(a)). Additionally, the Regulations mandate that the fees set out in section 2 be adhered to when such examinations are conducted, ensuring compliance with the updated fee structure. Failure to comply with these Regulations may result in legal consequences. Specifically, there are potential civil and administrative penalties for non-compliance with the prescribed fees for medical examinations. The precise nature and extent of these penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but they may include fines or other financial penalties. It is essential for parties involved to adhere to these Regulations to avoid any legal repercussions.