Non-commercial vessel arrival biosecurity reporting - yachts and private superyachts

If you are visiting, returning to Australia or importing a non-commercial vessel, the operator / operator of the yacht is responsible for complying with Australia’s Biosecurity Act 2015 and Biosecurity Regulation 2016.

Biosecurity measures ensure a low level of risk of harmful pests and diseases entering and establishing in Australia and enables the appropriate management of pests and diseases that pose a risk to the Australian environment and agricultural industries.

All vessels arriving from an international destination, or which have come in contact with international vessels, must:

1. Give notice of impending arrival 90 days to no less than 12 hours before arrival
2. Enter Australia through a designated first point of entry (FPOE) for non-commercial vessels
3. Be granted pratique before disembarkation or unloading of cargo.
4. Have an inspection of the vessel by a biosecurity officer noting vessels with timber components have additional requirements, whether sailed to Australia or imported as cargo.
5. Manage any identified biosecurity risk.

All non-commercial vessels arriving in Australia are required by law to give notice, provide a pre-arrival report, to DAFF of impending arrival:

• before the vessel departs the last (international) port but no earlier than 90 days before arrival in Australian territory OR
• at least 12 hours before arrival into the First Point of Entry in Australian territory
  OR
• as specified by a biosecurity officer.

Non-commercial vessels may only arrive at some Australian ports from an international destination (the last port) if the port has been determined as a First Point of Entry (FPOE) for non-commercial vessels under s229 of the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Report arrival into Australian territory by using this link to the electronic non-commercial vessel PAR web portal:  

FPOE ports determined for non-commercial vessel arrivals are listed below or refer to the FPOE ports list for further detail with the department’s biosecurity Vessel Contacts of key biosecurity port office contact details.

Northern Territory (NT)- Darwin: Vessel Contacts – DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)

Queensland (QLD: Vessel Contacts - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)

• Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coral Sea Marina Airlie Beach, Gladstone, Gold Coast Broadwater, Mackay, Townsville and Port Kennedy (Thursday Island and Horn Island)

New South Wales (NSW): Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Sydney

Western Australia (WA) - Fremantle: Vessel Contacts - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)

Tasmania (TAS) -Hobart, Launceston (Bell Bay): Vessel Contacts - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)

External Territories: Vessel Contacts - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)

• Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) also has legislated requirements for pre-arrival reporting which can be found at Let us know you’re coming. Notify ABF of arrival by emailing: Yacht Report yachtreport@homeaffairs.gov.au, phoning: ABF +61 2 6246 1325 or sending a fax to +61 2 6275 5078.

Australia has strict laws relating to the importation and/or possession of certain goods to minimise the risk of the introduction of exotic pests and diseases into Australia.

• Vessel operators must declare and present all food/provisions, plant material, animal products and live animals for inspection on arrival in Australia.
• It is recommended that persons consume as much organic provisions as possible prior to arriving in Australia.

Some goods may be allowed into Australia if they are accompanied by an import permit and issued by the department prior to arrival. Some goods may require treatment to manage the biosecurity risk. Other goods, such as live animals, that pose pest and disease risks are not permitted to be imported to Australia.

The page Travelling or sending goods to Australia provides more information. For detailed information on whether a commodity that can be brought into Australia, refer to the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

Biosecurity officers will direct arriving vessels to arrive at a specified First Point of Entry (FPOE) port, determined as a port for arrival for the non-commercial ‘class’ of vessel.

Non-commercial vessels may only arrive at some Australian ports from an international destination (the last port). Australian ports that have been determined as First Point of Entry (FPOE) for non-commercial vessels, under s229 of the Biosecurity Act 2015, are:

• New South Wales (NSW) – Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Sydney
• Northern Territory (NT) – Darwin
• Queensland (QLD) – Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coral Sea Marina Airlie Beach, Gladstone, Gold Coast Broadwater, Mackay, Townsville, Port Kennedy (Thursday Island and Horn Island)
• Western Australia (WA) – Fremantle
• Tasmania (TAS) – Hobart, Launceston (Bell Bay)
• External Territories – Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island.

These details are published on the department's website at First Points of Entry ports.

It is an offence for a vessel subject to biosecurity control to moor and/or unload goods at a port in Australian territory that is not a first point of entry, unless the Director of Biosecurity (or delegate) has given (prior) permission, s245 of the Biosecurity Act 2015.

International vessels must comply with the permissions and conditions contained in the relevant FPOE determinations. Each determination lists:

• permissions for particular classes of vessel that may berth, or goods that may be unloaded at the port
• biosecurity entry points (BEPs) within the port
• any conditions associated with the port as a first point of entry.

Read more about FPOE Determinations.

BEPs are designated areas within the port where specific classes of vessels must arrive or goods must be unloaded. This is so their biosecurity risks can be appropriately managed. Different classes of vessels and goods require different infrastructure and procedures to manage the risks associated with their arrival.

If a BEP has been designated in a first point of entry determination for a specific class of vessel or goods, then all vessels or goods that are part of that class must be brought to a BEP as soon as practicable when arriving into the port.

Non-commercial vessels may only arrive at some Australian ports from an international destination (the last port). See Non-commercial vessel arrival biosecurity reporting - yachts and private superyachts.

Australian territory ports that are not approved for non-commercial vessel arrivals are classed as non-first points of entry. These ports have not been assessed against the FPOE Biosecurity Standards for non-commercial vessels and may not have appropriate infrastructure or processes in place to manage biosecurity risks.

To arrive at one of these ports, apply and get permission to moor the vessel or unload goods at a non-first point of entry determined for that particular class of vessel or good.

How non-commercial vessels can request permission to moor/unload cargo at a non-first point of entry

For non-commercial vessels to berth and/or unload cargo at a non-first point of entry, submit an application and receive written authorisation. Be aware when submitting a request that:

• Applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed.
• Applications must be submitted at least 10 days before arrival to allow for proper evaluation and procedural fairness.
• Applications will be denied:
  • where they are received less than 10 days or where additional information is requested and not provided.
  • where there is insufficient reason or circumstance for arrival.
  • if the biosecurity risk cannot be appropriately managed.

It is preferable to consult with the department early in the planning process to minimise impacts to itinerary plans or refusal of applications.

Submit non-first point of entry requests to conveyance.maritime@aff.gov.au

Refer to Biosecurity legislation and the Australian territory for all the details.

All vessels are subject to pratique when entering Australian territorial waters, which is approximately 12 nautical miles (nm) from the Australian coastline.

Under the Biosecurity Act, pratique is permission for ‘any person to disembark from or embark onto’ a vessel or ‘anything to be unloaded from or loaded onto’ a vessel.

Non-commercial vessels are subject to the negative pratique process and will not be granted pratique until a biosecurity officer has assessed the human health risks associated with the vessel. The granting of pratique confirms that the human health risk of the travellers on board the vessel can be identified and managed and allows the vessel to be disembarked or unloaded.

To go ashore prior to pratique being granted is an offence.

Contact with other vessels in port prior to biosecurity assessment is also prohibited.

Read all about Pratique at Vessel Pratique, including a specific diagram for non-commercial vessels.

Ballast water is water taken on board by vessels to maintain stability and trim. Ballast water can contain thousands of aquatic microbes, plants and animals, which can be spread across the globe as the vessel releases ballast water. Unmanaged ballast water released in Australian ports could potentially introduce a range of invasive marine species.

The Biosecurity Act 2015 and other related delegated legislation, collectively prescribe how ballast water should be managed within Australian territory.

The Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements explain how to comply with the legislation while operating a vessel in Australian waters. In general, vessels have the following obligations:

• manage ballast water prior to arrival in Australian seas, and between Australian ports
• carry a ballast water management plan, ballast water management certificate, and maintain ballast water records.

Read about Australian ballast water management requirements.

Hitchhiker pests are pests that can ‘hitch a ride’ to Australian territory from another country within shipping containers, imported goods, packaging material and other forms of human-assisted transportation.

Australia is currently free of some of the world’s most serious hitchhiker pests that threaten our industries, economy, environment and way of life. This is because we have a strong biosecurity system that works to prevent pests entering and establishing here.

However, the risk of hitchhiker pests entering Australia is increasing due to climate change, intensification of agriculture, increased movement of people and products, and supply chain complexities. Pests are spreading around the world and are being found in increasing numbers on or within vessels, sea containers and imported goods.

Hitchhiker pests include beetles, snails, bugs, ants, termites and bees.

Read about hitchhiker pests and how you can help to protect Australian territory from the threat of hitchhiker pests.

The Biosecurity Regulation 2016 defines a non-commercial vessel as a vessel that is used, or is intended to be used, wholly for recreational purposes (whether or not crew are employed on the vessel).

Section 193 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 states that:

• the operator of the vessel must give a report if it is intended that the vessel is entering Australian territory.
• the report must include information prescribed in the Biosecurity Regulation 2016.

Section 48 (6) (b) of the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 states the pre-arrival reporting timeframe for reporting arrival into Australian territory:

All non-commercial vessels arriving in Australia are required by law to (report) give notice of impending arrival:

• Before the vessel departs the last (international) port but no earlier than 90 days before arrival in Australian territory
• at least 12 hours before arrival into the First Point of Entry in Australian territory
• or as specified by a biosecurity officer.

Section 48 (2) of the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 states that the following detail must be provided in the pre-arrival report (abbreviated):

• information identifying the vessel
• the name of the person in charge of the vessel and all other travellers
• the intended voyage and past 12-month history
• the shipping agent/s (if any) engaged to manage the voyage
• any intended traveller disembarkations
• any goods on board and previous history
• vessel cleaning and biofouling management history
• live or plants that have died on the voyage
• human health of the travellers
• any animals or insects on board
• waste management arrangements.

The report must be given orally or in writing to a biosecurity official or Australian Border Force (ABF) officer (formerly known as a customs officer).

Australia’s border protection is a partnership of Australian and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Our biosecurity system protects agriculture, forestry and fisheries export industries. Australia has over 60 000 kilometres of coastline offering a variety of pathways for exotic pests, weeds and diseases to enter the country.

The department screens, inspects and clears millions of vessels, aircraft, mail parcels, cargo containers, plants and animals, and of course people. Using x–ray machines, pre- and post-entry quarantine and surveillance programs and detector dogs, our border security is our first line of defence for protecting our environment and social amenity.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) protects Australia's border and enables legitimate travel and trade. They safeguard the border from people who seek to commit immigration fraud or threaten Australia's safety and security.

The department is more than halfway through a Conveyance Arrivals Modernisation (CAM) 4-year Program to improve technology and Australia’s ability to manage pre-arrival reporting and biosecurity risks from conveyances, that is aircraft, commercial vessels, and non-commercial vessels. The CAM Program is integrating systems and solutions with the department’s existing Maritime and Aircraft Reporting System (MARS).

MARS is an online web portal that has been used since 2016 by commercial vessel masters and shipping agents to submit pre-arrival documents required of all international, commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory to manage biosecurity risk.

Non-commercial vessels will be integrated into MARS, allowing all international maritime conveyances to submit pre-arrival documents and providing a one-stop shop for improved pre-arrival reporting, a seamless traveller experience and streamlined inspection efficiency at the border.

All non-commercial vessels arriving in Australia are required by law to (report) give notice of impending arrival:

• Before the vessel departs the last (international) port but no earlier than 90 days before arrival in Australian territory
• at least 12 hours before arrival into the First Point of Entry in Australian territory
• or as specified by a biosecurity officer.

For ports determined as first points of entry for non-commercial vessels, refer to the above information: Where in Australia can non-commercial vessel operators arrive?

Following the report of impending arrival, each vessel should receive some advice prior to arrival about the specific Australian territory port approved for arrival and biosecurity requirements. See the biosecurity Vessel Contacts for the key biosecurity port office contact details across Australia to notify arrival or contact for advice.

After 15 March 2023, vessel operators having a biosecurity vessel inspection after arrival into Australian territory will receive emailed Biosecurity Status Documents (BSDs) for the voyage.

As a client, that means you will now have a single source of information for biosecurity directions and advice for each voyage.

BSDs are the single source of information for biosecurity directions and advice to vessel operators (masters), and shipping agents, for each voyage. BSD documents are auto-generated in MARS and emailed to the master, and any nominated agent and version controlled to reflect any reported changes to directions or status occurring throughout a voyage.

BSDs detail the department's directions for the voyage including berthing conditions, pratique, goods (including animals and hitchhikers), timber inspection and treatment directions.

BSDs use a traffic light system as a visual cue to alert the master and shipping agents regarding the vessel status and any associated directions or advice issued by the department.

The Biosecurity Status Documents are emailed to vessel operators. Biosecurity officers will ask for an email address at the time of your on-arrival inspection.

A quick reference guide to Understanding the MARS Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) is available at this link: Quick Reference Guide: Understanding the BSD.

For an efficient biosecurity inspection, ensure the following actions are undertaken:

• Read the non-commercial webpage to know about Australia’s biosecurity rules and inform all travellers on board of these requirements

• report pending arrival: vessel details, arrival port and ETA between 90 days to 12 hours before arrival in Australian territory including information on
  • the human health of all persons on board
  • or any changes in voyage or other circumstances onboard.
• alert the department to the presence of and contain/confine pets or animals on board.
• secure the vessel in such a way that prevents excessive movement during the inspection.
• ensure all areas of the vessel are accessible for inspection, particularly timber surfaces.
• within reason, remove panels, personal effects and other equipment from lockers and cupboards.
• mattresses/cushions from lounges/beds and any wall or floor coverings must allow adequate access for inspection
• Have organic provisions e.g. fresh fruit, meat, eggs and other waste bagged on arrival for removal.
• have documentation available regarding timber components, such as sailing history, any refits or treatments.

For importing a vessel or information on import requirements for individual commodities and goods refer to BICON.

BICON houses the Australian Government's biosecurity import conditions database for more than 20,000 plants, animals, minerals and biological products. It will help determine what import conditions exist and if an import permit is required.

Refer to bicon.agriculture.gov.au as well as the DAFF Importing to Australia webpage for more information about BICON.

5. What does importing a vessel mean?

All NCV that enter 12 NM of Australian coastline are considered an import, this applies to vessel under own power (sailing) or being imported as cargo onboard another vessel.

Vessel operators must pre-arrival report at least 12 hours before arrival into the First Point of Entry in Australian territory and refer to the BICON case Imported Sea-going vessels, for import conditions.

Vessel operators need to advise if the vessel will be in Australian territory for less than or longer than 12 months. Importing a vessel indicates whether the vessel will be permanently based in Australian territory.

An interview with the operator provides a biosecurity officer with the opportunity to verify the biosecurity status of the vessel, people and any animals onboard.

The inspection and risk assessment tasks conducted are critical risk controls designed to prevent exotic diseases, pests and listed human diseases (LHD) becoming established in Australian territory.

The common biosecurity risks associated with arriving yachts and superyachts are timber pests, food, plant material, animals and/or human health concerns.

Inspections will only be undertaken in safe conditions, during daylight hours and usually within normal operational hours. More than one inspection may be required to resolve any identified biosecurity risks.

Inspections will only be undertaken in safe conditions, during daylight hours and within normal ordinary hours. More than one inspection may be required to resolve any identified biosecurity risks. Additional charges will be incurred for inspections occurring on the weekend or public holidays or outside of normal operational hours.

At arrival at the First Point of Entry, a biosecurity officer will assess health, grant pratique, board the vessel to ask questions, assess documents and conduct a physical inspection of the vessel to manage any biosecurity risk. The interview and inspection includes the assessment of the health of all persons on board and the inspection of:

• personal effects/articles
• timber components of the vessel and any history of damage or refits
• kitchen facilities and storerooms foodstuffs, personal effects, souvenirs
• sanitation and waste
• hull, anchors, chains and other ancillary gear
• water collection/storage containers including standing water, which is a vector for mosquito larvae.

The biosecurity officer will ask to view all relevant documentation, such as information related to timber components..

Where a specific timber inspection is required and cannot be undertaken on arrival the vessel remains subject to biosecurity control. The vessel operator must arrange for a timber inspection within 14 days of arrival in Australian territory.

Where no biosecurity concerns are detected during the inspection, the biosecurity officer may release the vessel from biosecurity control.

Once the biosecurity officer has completed the physical inspection of the vessel, a post inspection interview is conducted with the operator to discuss any biosecurity issues identified in the vessel inspection.

To manage any biosecurity risks, the biosecurity officer may undertake or direct the operator to undertake certain directions and/or treatments, including (but not exclusive to):

• isolation, treatment and/or export of live animals on board
• management of plants on board
• management of biosecurity waste such as plants, food and animal waste etc
• stripping to coastal - the process of removing all biosecurity risk materials from a vessel so it can be released from biosecurity control where the biosecurity risk is managed and the vessel is able to freely travel around Australian territory
• other treatments as directed.

Where biosecurity concerns are detected, the biosecurity officer can take any of the following actions:

• seek further advice from departmental technical experts or other authoritative body
• refer concerns such as human health issues to other relevant Australian Government agencies
• use alternative detection methods (e.g. detector dog or device for termites)
• direct the vessel to undergo remedial action via approved methods, such as timber treatment
• direct the vessel to a particular place
• direct the vessel to be imported as cargo
• where the officer considers the volume of any biosecurity waste to be large, the operator must use a service provider operating under an approved agreement (AA) for the collection, storage, transportation and appropriate disposal of biosecurity waste.
  • The AA service provider must remove the waste in accordance with the procedures stated in their approved arrangement with the department.

Vessels may also be subject to verification inspections by a biosecurity officer on succeeding days at the first point of entry and subsequent port/s of call to ensure continued compliance with the directions issued by biosecurity officers.

Waste is any item (goods) that has been rejected for entry into Australia. In some cases, the items may require treatment before being allowed, while in other cases the items are marked for immediate disposal due to the biosecurity hazard risk they represent.

Waste includes:

• packing material
• food waste
• by-products created from the treatment of imported goods
• biohazard quarantine items
• goods not meeting import requirements during the biosecurity inspections.

All vessels with timber components entering Australia must be inspected for timber pests, whether the vessel is sailed in, itinerant, a returning Australian vessel or imported as cargo. When a vessel is sailed in, the inspection of timber components is likely to be included as part of the arrival inspection.

Where the inspection of timber components cannot be performed on arrival at the FPOE, the inspection must be completed within 14 days of arrival.

It is the vessel operator’s responsibility to make arrangements for this inspection to occur and to ensure the vessel is presented at the port of arrival within the 14 days. The vessel will continue to be subject to biosecurity control, including restrictions, until the timber inspection has been performed and a biosecurity officer advises that the vessel is released from biosecurity control. Refer to Importing vessels with timber components.

Animals arriving in Australian ports or transiting within Australian waters onboard a non-commercial vessel such as a yacht, without a valid import permit, are not permitted.

Animals that arrive in Australian territory without a valid import permit will be treated as illegally imported animals. Refer to the Animals on Vessels – non-commercial vessels webpage and the Import Industry Advice Notice 32-2023, or contact the department via telephone on 1800 900 090 (+61 3 8318 6700 outside Australia).

Biosecurity risks must be mitigated to an acceptable level for release from biosecurity control. Release from biosecurity control will not be completed where continuance of biosecurity control has been requested or is required, such as an illegal live animal on board, pest risk or where the vessel requires a specific timber inspection or follow-up inspection.

The department charges for activities it undertakes to protect Australia’s biosecurity. Where a vessel is inspected at the first port of call, an arrival levy and a fee-for-service, the time taken to inspect the vessel, will be charged.

• Inspection services for yachts and superyachts are payable at the time of inspection. Credit card payments can be made by calling Accounts Receivable on 1800 647 531 or visit the How to Pay page.
• Cash cannot not be accepted by biosecurity officers.
• The department service fees are invoiced, normally through a customs broker for yachts imported as cargo. Some fees must be paid prior to the inspection taking place.

The first point of entry arrival inspection is covered by standard vessel fees. Where biosecurity issues are detected, vessel owners will be charged at fee-for-service rates and any additional charges relating to the timber inspection or mitigation of any other biosecurity risks.

Additional fees will be charged for inspections occurring on the weekend or public holidays or outside of normal operational hours.

A full list of fees associated with vessel biosecurity services are set out in the department’s charging guidelines.

The vessel owner will be charged by marina operators for the disposal of biosecurity waste with supervision fees charged by biosecurity officers. These are additional charges to the biosecurity fees charged for vessel inspection, management and release from biosecurity control.

Under section 532 of the Biosecurity Act, a person is liable to a civil penalty for false or misleading information, or omission of any matter, or thing, without which the information is misleading.

Failure to comply with a requirement under the Act may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties or criminal prosecutions.

See also Reportable biosecurity incidents.

Department obligations

Client service standards ensure we are meeting your expectations and are delivering our services within agreed time frames. For non-commercial vessel inspections, the standards are:

• If you are arriving at a port where we have a permanent biosecurity officer presence (which is a mandatory requirement), we will provide an initial inspection, including granting pratique, within 1 business day from you advising us of your arrival.
• There may be delays during periods of increased arrivals, such as regattas and rallies.

Your obligations

• Be available and have your vessel ready for inspection when our biosecurity officers arrive.
• Send us all relevant documents before the inspection.

Measure of success

• 95% of inspections to be provided within our service standard.

You can find the service standards at: Client service standards - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)

Reports on performance

• The department’s 2021-22 annual report (2022-2023 not yet available) reported that we conducted 98% of all non-commercial vessel inspections within the 1 business day (Mon to Fri) standard.