•   This Act regulates coastal trading by providing for licences to be granted that authorise vessels to carry passengers or cargo between ports in Australia. Using a vessel to engage in coastal trading without a licence may lead to a pecuniary penalty being imposed for the contravention of a civil penalty provision.

•   Part   2 contains definitions for the Act, including a definition of coastal trading and voyage .

•   Part   3 contains provisions relating to the application of the Act to various kinds of vessels, including provisions allowing the Minister to grant exemptions from the Act for vessels and people.

•   Part   4 sets out the 3 kinds of licences (general licences, temporary licences and emergency licences) that may be granted and the application process for each. It also deals with matters such as conditions of licences and the cancellation of licences.

•   Part   5 contains provisions relating to the enforcement of the Act.

•   Part   6 deals with miscellaneous matters such as the review of certain decisions by the Administrative Review Tribunal and the delegation of the Minister's and Secretary's functions and powers under the Act.