About the Gold Anchor International Rating Scheme

The Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA) launched the International Gold Anchor rating system in Australia in 2009. The three-to-five star rating system is designed to suit the Asia Pacific region in consultation with marinas and end users by the MIAA. The Gold Anchor scheme is designed to provide boat owners and marina users with a simple way to determine which marinas best fit their needs via a quick and easy reference system similar to the hotel association’s star rating scheme.

Marinas currently utilising the new rating system are independently assessed against specialised points-based criteria covering more than 96 different elements of marina facilities and services. Once a rating has been assigned to a marina it is subject to mystery shopper checks over the following three-year rating period to ensure the integrity of the system remains.

The consumer-based criteria include essential items for each of the five levels of ratings and in numerous cases has resulted in upgrades to existing marina facilities to improve their rating.
The rating criteria covers ten key areas relevant to consumers including marina design, infrastructure and condition, services offered, environmental considerations, land facilities, food and beverage facilities, local attractions, enquiry processes, booking process/simplicity and marketing.