Department of Agriculture

and Water Resources

June
2016 Arriving in Australia
Biosecurity

Australian biosecurity What happens to goods

Live animals and plants, plant material, animal products and certain food you declare?
from overseas could introduce some of the world’s most damaging pests
and diseases into Australia. This could devastate our valuable agriculture Goods will be inspected by a biosecurity
and tourism industries and unique environment. officer who will determine the level of
biosecurity risk associated with the goods.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources works with state You may be required to provide information
and territory governments, industry and the community, to maintain
or documents to enable the biosecurity
Australia’s clean and wholesome food supply—at home and abroad.
Australia’s biosecurity system protects our human, animal and plant health
officer to determine the risk. In many cases
by reducing the risk of unwanted pests and diseases arriving in the country. goods you declare will be of low risk and
We all benefit from a strong biosecurity system so we all have a role to play. the biosecurity officer will return them to
you after inspection. However, any goods
Declare it that may present an unacceptable level
You will be given an Incoming Passenger Card before you arrive in of biosecurity risk will be managed in
Australia. You must comply with the requirement to provide this accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2015.
information. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence. Depending on the risk, you may:
You must mark YES on your card if you are carrying goods that may pose a • pay for the goods to be treated to
biosecurity risk. These goods include plant material, animal products and reduce the biosecurity risk (for example
certain food. fumigation, gamma irradiation)
A Department of Agriculture and Water Resources biosecurity officer may • pay to export the goods from Australia, or
inspect declared goods during your border clearance. • destroy the goods.
A biosecurity officer may inspect your baggage, even if you do not declare The first two options are subject to fees and
any goods. They may use X-ray or a detector dog. You must declare or special conditions may apply.
dispose of any goods with a biosecurity risk before inspection. If you do
not or make a false declaration on the Incoming Passenger Card, you:
The Department of Agriculture and Water
• will be caught
Resources makes every effort to minimise
the risk of damage caused as a result of
• may be subject to civil penalties
treatment, but does not accept liability for
• may be prosecuted, fined more than A$360 000 and imprisoned for
any damage that may occur to your goods
up to 10 years and a get criminal record.
during treatment or export.
You will not be penalised under the Biosecurity Act 2015 if you declare
You may be able to apply for an import
all goods, even if they are not allowed into Australia.
permit (issued by the Department of
Domestic passengers travelling on Agriculture and Water Resources before your
international flights arrival) for the goods. Import permits may
be issued subject to conditions. If you have
Your goods may have been exposed to the aircraft or goods that are an import permit for the goods, a biosecurity
subject to biosecurity control. This may affect the level of biosecurity risk officer will assess whether the importation
associated with your goods. If you are carrying food or other goods of
complies with the terms and conditions of
biosecurity concern, the goods may be assessed. Goods that present an
unacceptable level of biosecurity risk, regardless of their place of origin,
the import permit.
may be subject to biosecurity management activities.
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Arriving in Australia

Some states and territories prohibit the entry of fresh fruit Live animals and animal products
from other parts of Australia. • all mammals, birds, birds’ eggs and nests, fish, reptiles,
amphibians and insects
On arrival • feathers, bones, horns, tusks, wool and animal hair
You must declare certain food, plant material and animal • skins, hides and furs
products. This list of examples is not complete. • stuffed animals and birds (some may be prohibited under
endangered species laws)
Food • shells and coral including jewellery and souvenirs
• airline food and snacks • beeswax and other bee products
• commercially prepared, cooked and raw food and • used animal equipment including veterinary equipment and
ingredients medicines, shearing or meat trade tools, saddlery and tack
• dried fruit and vegetables and animal or bird cages
• instant noodles and rice • pet food including canned products and rawhide chews
• packaged meals • rawhide articles and handicrafts including drums.
• herbs and spices
• herbal and traditional medicines, remedies, tonics and Other items
herbal teas • biological specimens including tissue culture
• snack foods • craft and hobby lines made from animal or plant material
• honey and other bee products. • used sporting and camping equipment including tents,
footwear, hiking boots, golf equipment and bicycles
Dairy and egg products • used freshwater watercraft or fishing equipment including
• infant formula rods and nets, waders, kayaks, paddles and life jackets.
• dairy products (fresh and powdered) including milk,
cheese and ‘non-dairy’ creamers Biosecurity import conditions
• all whole, dried and powdered eggs, and egg products, More information is available from the Biosecurity Import
such as mayonnaise Conditions system (BICON).
• egg products including noodles and pasta that are not
commercially manufactured. Reporting biosecurity risks
and breaches
Meat, poultry and seafood products
• meat including fresh, dried, frozen, cooked, smoked, If you find insects, animal or plant material when unpacking
salted or preserved—from all animal species your luggage or goods, report this immediately to the
department by phoning 1800 798 636.
• sausages, salami and sliced meats
• fish and other seafood products. You will not be prosecuted if you have unintentionally
brought in material of biosecurity concern.
Seeds and nuts If you suspect that someone has breached Australian
• cereal grains, popping corn, nuts, pinecones, birdseed, biosecurity, export or food inspection laws, you can report
seeds, and ornaments including seeds. this information to the department by:

Fresh fruit and vegetables Email: enforcement@agriculture.gov.au

• all fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables. Phone: 1800 803 006

Plant material Postal Address:

• live plants including cuttings Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Redline,
Enforcement
• tea containing seeds, fruit skin (for example citrus and
GPO Box 858
apple peel) and fruit pieces
Canberra ACT 2601
• remedies and medicines containing herbs, seeds, bark,
fungi and dried plant material
• fresh and dried flower arrangements and potpourri
• dried herbs and leaves
• handicrafts (including wreaths and Christmas decorations)
containing seeds, nuts, corn, pine cones, grapevines, bark,
moss, straw or other plant material
• wooden goods.

Phone 1800 900 090 agriculture.gov.au

BIO2473_0516