About us

The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) is responsible for providing Australia’s national charting service under the terms of SOLAS and the Navigation Act 2012 (Cth).

Whale tale in front of cargo ship

The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) provides authoritative nautical charting, including electronic charts, and associated services to support safe navigation in Australian waters. It also leads the development and coordination of national policies and standards for hydrographic surveying and charting, and contributes to the management, exchange and standardisation of maritime geospatial data more broadly.

In addition, the AHO supports the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by delivering hydrographic, charting, oceanographic and meteorological services essential to operational capability.

 

Vision

Excellence in the provision of digital maritime environmental products, services, and geospatial data.

Mission

To enable safe navigation and the widest use of Australia’s and the region’s maritime domain by providing digital maritime environmental and geospatial data, products, and services.

Roles & Responsibilities

The AHO is responsible for:

  • providing hydrographic services as required by the United Nations Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and the Navigation Act 2012 (Cth);
  • collecting, compiling, collating and managing hydrographic data;
  • maintaining and disseminating hydrographic products and services and other nautical information;
  • authorising, maintaining and disseminating official nautical paper and electronic charts and nautical publications for Australian waters; and
  • coordinating and determining policy and standards for maritime geospatial data, hydrographic surveying, and charting in Australian Waters.

International Obligations

The AHO is a foundation member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and contributes to international stakeholder groups and forums to advocate for Australia’s maritime geospatial interests.

Specifically, in our near region, the AHO:

  • Is the Primary Charting Authority (PCA) for Papua New Guinea (PNG), and via bilateral agreement, partners with the National Maritime Safety Authority Papua New Guinea to:
    • perform hydrographic surveys, provide specialist training and nautical cartography; and
    • compile, authorise and disseminate official PNG nautical charts and publications.
  • Is the PCA for the Solomon Islands (SI), and via bilateral agreement, partners with the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority to:
    • provide specialist training and nautical cartography; and
    • compile, authorise and disseminate official SI nautical charts and publications.
  • Under invitation from Timor-Leste Ministry of Transport and Communication, the AHO assists with hydrographic surveys and the production and dissemination of nautical charts and publications covering their area of responsibility.
  • Is a member of, and currently Chair of the South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC), partnering with members to develop sovereign hydrographic capability and capacity to support navigational safety, protection of the maritime environment and enhanced use of the sea for maritime trade and commerce across the South-West Pacific region.