Bays, coasts and oceans - Ballast water
What is ballast water?
Ballast water is the material placed in a ship's hold to improve its stability. Ballast water is taken up or discharged when cargo is unloaded or loaded, or when ships need extra stability in response to foul weather. However, ships also pick up the plants and animals that live in the sea water. Discharge of ballast water releases these into new areas and they can become marine pests.
Victoria's domestic ballast water management
Domestic ballast water means ballast water that originates from an Australian port or within the territorial sea of Australia. To protect Victoria's environment from marine pests introduced via domestic ballast water, the Victorian Government established management arrangements that apply to all ships entering the State waters.
These arrangements entered into force on 1 July 2004 and are outlined in the Waste Management Policy (Ships' Ballast Water). On 31 May 2006 the Victorian Government introduced the Environment Protection (Ships' Ballast Water) Regulations 2006 to support the existing ballast water requirements. The regulations entered into force on 1 July 2006.
Frequently asked questions
This section has answers to questions about topics such as high risk domestic ballast water, costs to ships to comply with the domestic ballast water management arrangements and how these arrangements affect the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) requirements.
Legislation, publications and forms
This section provides information about ballast water related legislation and publications, and water log and reporting forms.
Obligations for Government and the shipping industry
This section provides information about roles and responsibilities of the Victorian Government in the domestic ballast water management arrangements. It also has information for ship owners and masters, and owners, operators and managers of Victorian ports.
More about obligations for Government and the shipping industry
Compliance requirements
This section provides information about inspections to assess ships compliance with domestic ballast water management arrangements, non-compliance due to safety or structural limitations and ongoing non-compliance.
More about compliance with the domestic ballast water management arrangements
Accreditation agreements
This section has information about agreements to exempt companies or ships from reporting requirements in recognition of good performance.
Hastings National Demonstration Project
This project was conceived to trial the integrated management of both domestic and international ballast water.
Contact details
If you want more information about ballast water and the Victorian management arrangements, contact the EPA Ballast Water Officer.