-
Posted by Neil Chambers
- |
-
3 June, 2026
Buried in the federal government’s 2026/27 budget papers was a decision that will have a significant impact on hard-working truck drivers who must have a federal security clearance to enter container terminals and other secure maritime facilities to earn their living.
Maritime workers and truck drivers entering maritime security zones across Australia are facing sharp increases in the cost of Mandatory Security Identification Cards (MSIC) from 1 July 2026.
The increase is driven by the federal government’s decision to move AusCheck, the government body that conducts criminal and national security background checks for MSIC applicants, to full cost recovery.
The current AusCheck background checking fee for a renewal of an MSIC for four years is $184. That fee is increasing to $504.50 from 1 July 2026 – an increase of more than 274%.
To CTAA’s knowledge, there was no industry consultation ahead of the full cost recovery decision, and the announcement has also blindsided MSIC Issuing bodies, including the main issuing body for container transport drivers, OneStop.
OneStop is a preferred MSIC issuing body as they combine the MSIC with the electronic induction card which drivers are required to swipe at the entry to container terminals and other secure maritime zones to show proof of identity and to validate their induction into the safe operations of the facility.
OneStop issued a separate statement on Monday 1 June, to announce that because of the massive background checking fee increases being imposed by the Federal Government, OneStop has been left with no option but to increase its MSIC and induction card fees.
From 1 July 2026, the OneStop Fee for a combined MSIC and induction card (valid for four years) will increase from the current $975 (+GST) to $1,580 (+ GST) – a 62% increase.
OneStop has acknowledged that the pricing increases are significant and have assured users that they have “worked carefully to ensure the revised pricing remains reflective of the on-going cost and investment required to deliver this critical MSIC service".
The federal government previously abandoned its project to create a centralised, single-issuing body for Aviation (ASIC) and Maritime (MSIC) Security Identification Cards.
Multiple issuing bodies will remain, including OneStop, but the government says it is progressing with broader reforms to the background checking framework to streamline processes and enhance security.
This includes upgrading the digital infrastructure and physical security features of ASIC and MSIC cards – a cost that issuing bodies will likely partially bear.
No doubt, this additional cash-grab by the government via the increased AusCheck background checking fee will fund what to date, in the view of CTAA, has been a dysfunctional process of reform with only spasmodic industry stakeholder engagement.
