Apply for a discretionary Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC)

About the discretionary MSIC

You can apply for a discretionary Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) in certain circumstances.

Discretionary cards look like a regular MSIC. They give you the same access to security-restricted areas (SRAs) but could have conditions, such as:

shorter validity periods
specific seaport
drug and alcohol testing
regular conduct reports from an employer.

Who can apply

You can apply for a discretionary MSIC if AusCheck has told you that you're not eligible for the MSIC card due to an adverse criminal record from a conviction for a Tier 2 or Tier 3 maritime security-relevant offence.

You may also apply for the reinstatement of a cancelled MSIC if an AusCheck background check determines that you're no longer eligible to hold the card.

Applying for a discretionary MSIC card won't affect:

future applications for an MSIC
any future discretionary reviews.

We consider each application on its own merits.

Cost

It's free to apply. You don't need to pay for a discretionary card.

When to apply

You must wait until AusCheck sends you a final letter to tell you that you're not eligible for the MSIC. You then have 28 days from the date of that letter to apply for a discretionary card.

How applications are assessed

The discretionary card process is different to the general MSIC process.

Under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003(Opens in a new tab/window), the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs (or an authorised delegate) has the power:

to approve the issue of an MSIC to someone who is otherwise not eligible for a card because of their criminal convictions
in certain circumstances, to approve the reinstatement of a cancelled MSIC.

Unlike AusCheck’s background checking process, the Secretary will take into account individual circumstances and other factors when making a decision. These include:

the nature of the offences you were convicted of
the length of the term of imprisonment in your sentence and how much of it you served, including whether it was suspended
your conduct and employment history since your offence
anything else that's relevant that the Secretary knows about.

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for a discretionary MSIC.

You must provide enough information for the Secretary to make an informed decision. The type of information includes the following.
Court transcripts
You could provide sentencing remarks for the security-relevant convictions that affected your eligibility for a security identification card, and for any other relevant offences. The courts where your charges were heard have this information.
Letter from employer
You must provide a letter from your employer (on company letterhead) that:
- confirms your employment, including start date, job roles and duties
- outlines your operational need to hold a card to access secure areas
- details the security-restricted areas you need to access.
References
You could provide up-to-date written personal or professional references. It's better if they acknowledge your convictions or are relevant to the maritime industry, but it isn't essential.
References from current employers which demonstrate your work conduct are also accepted, provided they are dated in the current year.
Other supporting information
You could provide other supporting material that may be relevant to your application, such as:
- any industry-related training certificates you've done
- evidence of any reform or rehabilitation certificates.
You can either:
- submit your own application online
- apply through the issuing body that submitted your original application.
To submit your own application, complete the ASIC/MSIC discretionary review online application(Opens in a new tab/window).
If you apply through your issuing body, they'll lodge the application on your behalf through the applicant portal.

After you apply

The Secretary has 30 days to respond to your application. You'll get an email about the outcome from idsecurity@homeaffairs.gov.au.

The Secretary may:

ask for more information
make a decision.

If the Secretary asks for more information, they must make a final decision within 30 days of receiving the requested information.

If your application is approved, we'll tell you and your issuing body in writing. They may then decide to issue your card.

If your application is not approved, or if you have had conditions imposed on your card, we'll tell you in writing. We'll include:

what the decision is and why
how to ask for a review or appeal.

Once you have a discretionary card

There are important rules you must follow to manage your MISC. The decision document you receive will detail any extra conditions.

Contact

For more information about the discretionary card and process, email idsecurity@homeaffairs.gov.au.