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Posted by David Sexton
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16 Sep, 2026
THE IMPORTANCE of connectivity for the mental health of seafarers when visiting Australian ports has been highlighted in new research.
The Seafarer Port Welfare Survey was commissioned by the Australian Seafarers' Welfare Council and conducted by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
The survey ran from 1 October 2025 to 4 February 2026 to gain a better understanding of the welfare needs and experiences of seafarers arriving in Australian ports.
The survey was divided into two sections to encourage seafarers to complete the high-priority questions first before choosing to respond to additional, more detailed questions.
A total of 436 seafarer responses were received:
- 210 respondents (51%) completed the ‘short’ survey.
- 204 respondents (49%) completed the ‘short’ and ‘extended’ survey
AMSA manager vessel operations, Michelle Grech said the survey received 436 responses and while a relatively small proportion of the seafarers visiting Australian ports each year, nonetheless provided important insights.
“With more than 2,800 foreign-flagged vessel arrivals to Australia annually, the findings provide valuable insights into seafarer experiences but may not be representative of the broader seafarer population,” Dr Grech said.
The survey was delivered online through a dedicated survey page which was promoted across the ASWC and AMSA websites.
Promotional activities included social media campaigns, news articles on the ASWC and AMSA web pages, and a postcard size flyer featuring a QR code linking directly to the survey.
The report showed internet/Wi-Fi as the highest priority service, with the largest number of ‘most important’ rankings (179 responses), indicating “strong demand for connectivity”.
Shore leave was also highly valued, receiving the highest number of ‘second most important’ rankings (168) and a strong overall positive weighting.
The final question of the short survey was described as “open-ended”, providing respondents with an opportunity to share direct feedback on their experiences.
Seafarers were asked: “Do you have any comments or feedback about your access to welfare services when you come to Australia?”
This question enabled the collection of qualitative insights, capturing personal experiences, challenges, and suggestions that may not have been reflected in the structured survey responses.
Key themes from this feedback included:
- Barriers to shore leave.
- Fast cargo operations, short port stays, inspections, and onboard duties (particularly for senior crew).
- Significantly restrict opportunities to go ashore. Many respondents noted that loading speeds.
- Tight schedules often eliminate any realistic chance of shore leave, even where services are available.
Dr Grech said seafarers worked in isolation at sea and connectivity allowed them to connect with family but also manage personal matters or shop and buy things when arriving at ports.
She said there was also “a very strong link [between good] mental health and connectivity”.
