Please note that the content on this page, including documents for download, is currently being updated to reflect recent legislative changes and may be subject to further revision.
Specific health risks are posed by international travellers (passengers and crew) arriving in Australia. These risks could have a devastating effect on the Australian community and economy. Effective human biosecurity practices are essential in protecting Australia from serious communicable diseases.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry performs human health functions on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing at Australia’s international air and sea ports. These functions support Australia’s border health and human biosecurity arrangements under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Aircraft and vessel operators
En route to Australia, the operator of the aircraft or vessel is legally required to broadcast the mandatory incoming traveller announcement on all international aircraft and cruise vessels, prior to arrival in Australia. This is an important announcement informing travellers of Australia’s strict biosecurity laws and their obligations when completing the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) or the digital Australia Travel Declaration (ATD).
The incoming traveller announcement also advises travellers to tell the crew of an aircraft or vessel if they feel unwell prior to arrival. This helps to keep people safe from public health risks and protects members of the community.
If available to the traveller, the ATD can be completed and submitted electronically up to 72 hours before travel. The IPC can be provided to travellers either en route or on arrival into Australia. The IPC or ATD enable travellers to declare any items, activities or specific countries visited that may be of biosecurity or human health concern and must be completed by all travellers.
The in-flight health messages and airport signage emphasise to travellers the importance of making truthful declarations. Under Australian law there are tough penalties for providing false or misleading information to biosecurity officials. A traveller may be liable for a civil penalty if they do not accurately disclose their recent travel history as required on the IPC or ATD.
Note: Crew are required to complete a B456 Crew Declaration form instead of the IPC and are subject to the same requirements for providing information.
Reporting ill and deceased travellers
The Biosecurity Act 2015 requires that the operator of an international aircraft or vessel must report details of any travellers who show signs or symptoms of a listed human disease, or if there has been a death on board. This helps to keep people safe from public health risks and protects members of the community.
For aircraft, the report must be given to a biosecurity official orally, in writing or given electronically using available reporting technology at the earlier of:
- as close to the top of descent as is operationally practicable before the aircraft is estimated to arrive at its first landing place in Australian territory; and
- 30 minutes before the aircraft is estimated to come to a standstill after arriving at its first landing place in Australian territory.
Airline and aircraft operators can find further information on pre-arrival reporting requirements on the department's En route to Australia page.
For commercial vessels including cruise vessels, the report must be given to a biosecurity official or customs officer in writing or given electronically using available reporting technology, at least 12 hours, but no earlier than 96 hours, before the vessel is estimated to arrive at its first port in Australian territory.
For non-commercial vessels, the report must be given to a biosecurity official or customs officer in writing or given electronically using available reporting technology, at least 12 hours, but no earlier than 90 days, before the vessel is estimated to arrive at its first port in Australian territory.
Vessel Masters and Agents can find information on how to report human health issues in MARS, on the department’s MARS communications and training materials page.
Further information on reporting of ill and deceased travellers and symptoms to look out for, can be found under the Reporting sick or deceased travellers heading on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s webpage.
Communicable diseases
Communicable diseases remain a significant public health priority in Australia and internationally. The Australian Centre for Disease Control monitors communicable diseases and public health threats. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry applies human biosecurity measures at the border on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to help prevent outbreaks within Australia. Up to date information on communicable diseases is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s webpage.
Biosecurity reporting requirements
Yellow Fever
People travelling to Africa, the Caribbean, Central or South America should be aware of the risk of yellow fever virus transmission and take precautions to protect themselves from infection. It is strongly recommended that travellers planning to visit yellow fever risk countries or areas be vaccinated for yellow fever.
Information on yellow fever risk countries or areas can be found in the yellow fever fact sheet on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s webpage.
On arrival in Australia, travellers who have stayed overnight or longer in a yellow fever risk country or area within the last 6 days will be asked to declare this on their IPC or digital ATD and during border processing. Travellers may be asked to show a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis against yellow fever to a border official.
Travellers who do not hold a valid vaccination certificate will still be permitted to enter Australia. On arrival in Australia, biosecurity officials will provide the traveller with a Yellow Fever Action Card, which has instructions on what to do if they develop any signs or symptoms of yellow fever.
Bringing human remains into Australian Territory
Human remains
Bringing human remains (deceased humans’ bodies or body parts of deceased humans – excluding ashes) into Australia for burial or cremation is allowed provided specific requirements are met.
You must engage an Australian funeral director or a customs broker prior to transporting human remains to Australia to ensure that all requirements are met and to avoid delays upon arrival in Australia.
Human remains must be transported in a hermetically sealed container under the direction or control of a coroner or funeral director in Australia. You should ensure all necessary arrangements are confirmed with these parties prior to arrival.
Note: Requirements for bringing ashes to Australia are covered separately under the heading ‘Human ashes’.
What you need to provide
To arrange biosecurity clearance of human remains for burial or cremation, it is highly recommended that your funeral director or their representative provide the required information and documentation to the department as soon as the transport arrangements are confirmed, by emailing Human Biosecurity.
A minimum of 48 hours (weekdays) notice prior to arrival is preferred to ensure the human remains can be cleared for release in a timely manner.
Documentation
At least one of the following documents should be provided to the department (this document must also accompany the remains):
- a certified copy of an official certificate that states the cause of death (e.g. death certificate or coroner’s report, signed by a medical practitioner); or
- an extract from an entry in an official register that states the cause of death (e.g. certified extract of a death register); or
- a certificate from a medical practitioner that states whether the body or body part has, or had before death, signs or symptoms of a Listed Human Disease (LHD) and the name of the disease (e.g. Certificate, statement or letter, signed by a medical practitioner); or
- a copy of an official embalming certificate.
It is recommended that all documentation be provided in English or be accompanied by a certified translated copy, to avoid delays in receiving biosecurity clearance.
Human remains not accompanied by one of the required documentation types will need the permission of a Commonwealth Human Biosecurity Officer (CHBO) to be brought into Australia. Permission can be obtained by contacting human remains at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Additional information
In addition to the required documentation, the following information should be provided to the department, prior to arrival:
- Expected arrival date into Australia; and
- details of flight the human remains will arrive on; and
- details of company/person who will be collecting the human remains from the landing place; and
- Airway bill number (Receipt issued by an international airline for goods).
For further information relating to bringing human remains into Australia for reasons other than for burial or cremation, such as for scientific or research purposes; or bringing in hair, teeth or bones of a deceased human’s body, please see the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s webpage on Importing human remains and biosecurity.
Additional information on biosecurity requirements for bringing in human remains for other purposes can be found on the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
Human ashes
There are no restrictions or requirements, from a biosecurity perspective, for human ashes coming into Australia. No import permit, death certificate or cremation certificate is required. If, however, the ashes are mixed with a biosecurity risk material, such as soil, then requirements may apply and we recommend you contact human biosecurity prior to arrival.
The container (urn) carrying the ashes must also be free from biosecurity risk material, such as soil, plant material or insects. If biosecurity risk material is present or the container is made from wood, you will need to declare this on the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) or digital Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) for inspection on arrival in Australia by a biosecurity official. It is recommended that you avoid using a wooden container and use options such as ceramic, iron, zinc, copper, bronze or plastic, as these materials are not of biosecurity concern and you will not be required to declare these types of containers for inspection.
Information regarding biosecurity risk material can be found on the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
If human ashes are brought in:
- with you as part of your luggage, they will not need to be declared unless they are mixed with biosecurity risk material or in a wooden container
- as or with unaccompanied personal effects (UPEs), they will be cleared as your UPEs
- as cargo (with a bill of lading/airway bill), when necessary, the department will facilitate clearance without any written declaration being required.
While there are no restrictions on bringing human ashes into Australia from a biosecurity perspective, airlines, shipping companies or mailing authorities may have their own policies or requirements. It is recommended that you contact the relevant provider in advance to determine if there are any special requirements.
Useful links
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing:
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry:
Contacts
Human biosecurity requirements at Australian international air and sea ports
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: 1800 900 090 or +61 3 8318 6700 (from outside Australia)
Email: Human Biosecurity
Human health enquiries
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Ph: +61 2 6289 1555 or 1800 020 103
Email: Human Biosecurity or Enquiries
For human remains queries email: Human Remains