We regulate aircraft movements between parts of Australian territory. We do this to manage the risk of pests and diseases entering Australian territory.
Under s618(2) of the Biosecurity Act 2015, the Biosecurity (Movements between Parts of Australian Territory) Declaration 2016 provides the biosecurity framework.
External territories
We regulate the movement of aircraft and goods between the Australian mainland and external territories.
Our external territories are:
- Norfolk Island
- Christmas Island
- Coco (Keeling) Islands
These territories have unique animal and plant health biosecurity status. Biosecurity arrangements on the territories are designed to maintain this status.
Biosecurity control measures for these flights may include:
- pre-arrival reporting
- disinsection requirements
- pratique or assessment and inspection at a first point of entry (see Table 1.)
Aircraft operator obligations
You should contact the aircraft biosecurity contact at the intended first point of entry to clarify your biosecurity obligations before arrival.
Table 1 only applies to actual or intended movements between external territories and the Australian mainland.
Table 1 Biosecurity obligations for regulated movements between external territories and the Australian mainland.
| Origin / destination | Submit a general pre-arrival report | Disinsection measures | Pratique | Biosecurity control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Island | Yes | No (s7 Biosecurity (Human Health) Regulation 2016) | No (s6 Biosecurity (Human Health) Regulation 2016) | Yes |
| Christmas Island | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coco’s (Keeling) Island | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Australian external territories not considered Australian territory (AETNCAT)
AETNCAT territories are:
- Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island
- Coral Sea Islands (Willis Island)
- Macdonald and Heard Island
- the Australian Antarctic territory.
Movement to AETNCAT
There are no regulations or restrictions under the Act relating to the movement of goods and conveyances or for the regulation of human health from Australian Territory or any other countries to AETNCAT territories.
Movement from AETNCAT
The Biosecurity Act 2015 applies to the arrival of international people, goods and aircraft travelling from AETNCAT territories to Australian territory.
Aircraft operator obligations
You should contact the aircraft biosecurity contact at the intended first point of entry to clarify your biosecurity obligations before arrival.
Table 2 Biosecurity obligations for movements between AETNCAT territories and the Australian mainland
These measures apply to actual or intended aircraft movements.
| Australian territory not considered Australian territory | Submit a pre-arrival report | Disinsection measures | Pratique | Biosecurity control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Territory of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coral Sea Islands (Willis Island) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MacDonald and Heard Island | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Australian Antarctic Territory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Commonwealth Government legal provisions
Here are the relevant provisions for external Australian territories
| Location | Provisions of an Act for government of a territory |
|---|---|
| Australian Antarctic Territory | s8 of the Australian Antarctic Territory Act 1954 |
| Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands | s7 of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953 |
| Coral Sea Islands Territory (including Willis Island) | s6(1) of the Coral Sea Islands Act 1969 |
| Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Territory | s8 of the Ashmore and Cartier Island Acceptance Act 1933 |
AETNCAT locations
