The National Search and Rescue Council

SAR Issues

Call for SAR Awards 2008

Nominations for the 2008 National Search and Rescue Awards are now being taken. Submissions for outstanding service, individual or group efforts should be forwarded by 26 September 2008 .

2008 SAR Council Meeting

The 2008 meeting of the National SAR Council will be held in Canberra from 13 to 14 November 2008.

IGA on National Search and Rescue Response Arrangments

An Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on National SAR Response Arrangements has been signed by the relevant Commonwealth and State/Territory Ministers. see more

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    The responsibility for search and rescue in Australia is shared by SAR Authorities at both the Federal and State levels. These authorities are responsible for the coordination of search and rescue over a vast area made up of Continental Australia and the East Indian, South-west Pacific and Southern oceans and their responsibilities are shared in accordance with the National Search and Rescue Plan.

    In 1976, the SAR Authorities formed a national conference to ensure consistency and uniformity in SAR procedures within the Australian search and rescue region (SRR). In 1999 a shift in perspective saw the group renamed the National Search and Rescue Council with the role of formulating, discussing and ratifying national search and rescue policies. The Council meets annually in November.

In 2004, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Government Ministers responsible for SAR response in Australia signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on National Search and Rescue Response Arrangements that confirmed the National SAR Council's functions and roles.

May 2007