About your obligations
As a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) holder you have a number of obligations, including what's listed on this page. Find out more about your obligations in the AusCheck Regulations 2017(Opens in a new tab/window).
Display your MSIC
You must display your blue MSIC while in secure areas.
Your blue MSIC must be:
- attached above the waist
- to the front or side of your body or on a band around your upper arm.
The whole front of the MSIC must be clearly visible.
It's an offence not to correctly display a valid MSIC (excluding white MSIC) in a secure area. You may incur a penalty of over AUD 1000 for a first offence. There are higher penalties for subsequent offences within a two-year period.
The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs may exempt a person from displaying an MSIC.
White MSICs are not required to be displayed.
Tell us if your details change
Accurate records are important for keeping Australia safe.
If your address, contact details or legal name changes you need to email the details to AusCheck@homeaffairs.gov.au. You must do this within 30 days of the change.
If your legal name is changing, AusCheck may organise for you to see a verifier.
You'll need to provide the verifier with the original document proving the name change. For example, a marriage certificate.
Update your operational need
If the areas you need to access change or expand, you need to request an update to the operational need for your card.
Find out how to change your work location or update duties.
Do a second background check
An MSIC can be valid for 2 years or 4 years. The organisation you apply through (your issuing body) will determine the validity period based on your operational need.
For the 4-year card, we do a second background check after 2 years if:
- your MSIC is still valid and hasn't been cancelled
- you haven't withdrawn your consent to the second background check.
You can withdraw your consent to the second background check. If you do, the issuing body must immediately cancel your MSIC.
If you don't want to have a second background check, you have the option of applying for a 2-year MSIC. We will not do a second check if you cancel your card before the check starts.
Renew an MSIC
You must submit an application for a new background check at least 6 weeks before your existing MSIC expires.
See Apply for a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC).
Cancel an MSIC
If you're leaving your employer or no longer have an operational need for your MSIC, you must cancel it.
You can't transfer your MSIC to a new employer.
Find out how to cancel an MSIC.
Return an MSIC
If your MSIC is:
- expired – return within 30 days
- damaged – return within 30 days
- suspended – return within 7 days
- no longer required due to operational need – return within 30 days.
Return the MSIC to your issuing body.
Report lost, stolen or destroyed MSICs
If your MSIC has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you must report it and submit a statutory declaration to your issuing body. You must report within 7 days of becoming aware of the loss, theft or destruction.
If your MSIC was stolen, you also need to report it to police.
Request a replacement
If you need a replacement card, follow the steps to request a replacement.
Report new convictions
You must report new convictions for any security-relevant offences to AusCheck or your issuing body within 7 business days of the conviction.
For a list specific to an MSIC, see criminal offences.
If you don't report a security-relevant offence:
- it's a criminal offence
- you could be prosecuted and fined up to 50 penalty units
- future background check results could be affected.
To report a conviction
- Complete the Self Report Form for ASIC and MSIC [PDF 314 KB](Opens in a new tab/window).
- Email the completed form to AusCheck@homeaffairs.gov.au.