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.
Before touching down in Australia, make sure to comply with your in-flight biosecurity obligations. Preparing for this will avoid delays or complications upon arrival.
The Biosecurity obligations for aircraft arriving in Australian territory outlines the mandatory obligations at each stage of aircraft clearance.
Here we’ve reproduced the section on pre-arrival reporting obligations for all flights.
Pre-arrival reporting obligations for all flights
Under subsection 44(2) of the Biosecurity Regulations 2026, all aircraft operators should report the following to a biosecurity official if any of the following events occur during the flight:
- a person on board the aircraft has, or has had, signs or symptoms of a listed human disease,
- a person on board the aircraft has died,
- there are animals or plants in the aircraft cabin,
- an animal in the aircraft cabin has died,
- the measures prescribed for the purposes of section 204A of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (disinsection) have not been taken, or will not have been taken, before the aircraft arrives at its first landing place in Australian territory.
Find out more on listed human disease symptoms (Department of Health).
Failure to give a report is an offence that may result in the penalties outlined in Table 8.
| Entity | Penalty | Legislation reference |
|---|---|---|
| natural person |
|
|
| body corporate |
|
|
When to submit the report
The pre-arrival report must be submitted:
- 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, or
- 30 minutes before the aircraft is estimated to come to a standstill after arriving at its first landing place in Australian territory.
How to submit the report
You, your representative or ground-handling agent can lodge the pre-arrival report by email or phone.
Mandatory traveller announcement
Delivery of the approved inflight traveller announcement to all travellers on all international flights is a legal requirement. The approved in-flight traveller announcement MUST NOT be edited as it provides information about Australia’s biosecurity requirements.
Aircraft operators are strongly encouraged to deliver the approved inflight traveller announcement 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.
The information may be given in writing or orally, including using an audio or audio-visual recording. Failure to do so is an offence that may result in the penalties outlined in Table 8.
| Entity | Penalty | Legislation reference |
|---|---|---|
| natural person | 300 penalty units | Biosecurity Act 2015, section 220 |
| body corporate | 1,500 penalty units | Biosecurity Act 2015, section 220 |
The in-flight traveller announcement will be updated as required by the department. When this occurs, the release will be communicated through an Import Industry Advice Notice.
Check to see if you are using the current version by looking at the department’s traveller announcement resources.
Download
Download the full document.
Biosecurity obligations for aircraft arriving in Australian territory
Updated October 2026
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