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

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Are you thinking about cruising to Australia?

Are you a non-commercial vessel operator?

If you are intending to arrive in an Australian territory to visit or you are importing a non-commercial vessel, then you have a responsibility to comply with Australia's Biosecurity Act 2015 and Biosecurity Regulations 2016.

Under Australian laws, all vessels arriving in Australian territory, including yachts, superyachts and cruisers, are subject to biosecurity control and must provide pre-arrival report information before arriving in Australian territory.

So, what's changing?

The department has improved our pre-arrival reporting process for non-commercial vessel operators with the introduction of an electronic pre-arrival report or PAR. From the 1st of December 2023 all non-commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory must submit a PAR.

The PAR is submitted through the department's web portal, and it will be uploaded into the department's Maritime and Aircraft Reporting System called MARS.

MARS is the online web portal that is currently used by the commercial shipping industry.

So, what is in the new non-commercial vessels PAR?

There are questions about the number of travellers, the vessel travel history, the vessel's timber components, plans for Australian port visits, the estimated length of stay and if there is waste or any plants, insects, animals or hitchhiker animals or birds on board.

Each of your answers will give the department a heads up about your arrival and what biosecurity risks, if any, might be on board.

Biosecurity officers will be notified of vessel arrivals through MARS.

Then, they will prepare for the arrival using the new MARS pre-arrival report or PAR provided by the vessel operator and engage with vessel operators and commence a biosecurity risk assessment.

What is important is to remember to always:

• notify the department 90 days to 12 hours before your arrival
• understand the biosecurity status document or BSD (it will be emailed to the vessel operator

and provides the biosecurity directions and conditions for the voyage)

• keep a copy of the BSD on board for the duration of your time in Australia
• inform the department of any change in circumstances by emailing the National Maritime Centre or the vessel contacts, which can be found on the non-commercial vessel page of the department's website.

Want to know more?

View the Vessels webpage for information on Australia's biosecurity reporting obligations and responsibilities.

Subscribe to the department's Facebook, X and Instagram sites.

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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. undergo an inspection of the vessel by a biosecurity officer. Vessels with timber components have additional requirements, whether sailed to Australia or imported as a good.
5. manage any identified biosecurity risk as directed by a biosecurity officer.

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.

Once the PAR has been submitted using the department’s non-commercial vessel web portal, it will automatically upload into MARS, the Maritime and Aircraft Reporting System. Biosecurity officers will be notified of the impending vessel arrival and engage with the vessel operator to prepare for their arrival and commence biosecurity risk assessment.

The non-commercial vessel PAR will streamline inspection processes at the border, providing a single source of information in assessing biosecurity risks for vessels. Report arrival into Australian territory by using this link to the electronic non-commercial vessel PAR web portal: https://online.agriculture.gov.au/MARSWeb/faces/public/NCVPARRegistration.jsf.

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 fax +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 Australian territory.
• Consume organic provisions prior to arriving in Australian territory. Any remaining provisions must be managed as biosecurity waste, double-bagged for disposal.

Some goods may be allowed into Australian territroy 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.

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 Australian ports if the port has been determined as a First Point of Entry (FPOE) for non-commercial vessels under s229 of the Biosecurity Act 2015. FPOE ports determined for non-commercial vessel arrivals are listed below or refer to the web FPOE ports list.

• Northern Territory (NT) – Darwin
• Queensland (QLD) – 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
• Tasmania (TAS) – Hobart, Launceston (Bell Bay)
• External Territories – Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island.

For contacts of all the department’s biosecurity port office locations, refer to the Vessel Contacts webpage.

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 are not 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, vessel operators must apply and receive prior 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 goods at a non-first point of entry, submit an application and receive written authorisation. Be aware when submitting a request that:

• Applications should be submitted at least 10 days before arrival into Australian territory.
• Applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Approval is not guaranteed.
• Written notice will be provided to the vessel operator where permission is either granted or not granted under section 247(2) of the Act for the vessel to moor, or under section 146 for permission to unload goods.

It is preferable to consult with the department early in the planning process to minimise impacts to itinerary plans for non-first point applications. Submit non-first point of entry requests to conveyance.maritime@aff.gov.au. 

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

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. Vessel operators must report any human health issues for all the travellers and crew on board. Contact biosecurity  officers: www.agriculture.gov.au/about/contact/phone/vessel or read the webpage for more information: Human health.

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 all 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 offence under the Biosecurity Act.

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

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

The department administers Ship Sanitation Certification (SSC) requirements on behalf of the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates and Ship Sanitation Control Certificates are issued in accordance with Article 39 of the International Health Regulations (2005) Third Edition (IHR).

Certification is aimed at controlling the spread of international listed human diseases by controlling any vectors of these diseases that could potentially be carried on a vessel.

Under Part 5 (section 12) of the Biosecurity (Human Health) Regulation 2016, non-commercial vessels are exempt from the ship sanitation certification scheme. Chartered superyachts are considered commercial vessels, not non-commercial vessels. These vessels have shipping agents to manage arrival and reporting.

Australia will therefore not undertake Ship Sanitation inspections or issue Ship Sanitation certificates for private non-commercial vessels (sailboats/yachts).

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 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.

Non-commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory must submit a non-commercial vessel pre-arrival report (PAR) which includes questions relating to the biofouling management practices on the vessel.

The responses provided in the PAR will inform the department's policies for management of biosecurity risks associated with biofouling on non-commercial vessels. Biosecurity officers will continue to assess the level of biosecurity risk associated with biofouling on arrival and may take necessary actions to address these risks.

Refer to the non-commercial vessel biofouling webpage for more information.

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 plants 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.

DAFF

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.

Our 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.

ABF

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. That is regulating unlawful citizens, seizing prohibited goods such as drug imports, weapons, tobacco, images and wildlife while examining travellers, baggage and mail.

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. That is regulating unlawful citizens, seizing prohibited goods such as drug imports, weapons, tobacco, images and wildlife while examining travellers, baggage and mail.

Our department requires all non-commercial vessel operators to submit a Pre-Arrival Report (PAR), 90 days to 12 hours before arriving in Australian territory. This isn’t, however, the only Australian Government arrival report that non-commercial vessel operators must submit.

Whether you are a returning resident, migrant or a visitor, the Australian Border Force (ABF) has a corresponding Small Craft Arrival Report that must be submitted 96 – 12 hours before you arrive in Australian territory.  Refer to the ABF Yachts and pleasure craft webpages: Yachts and pleasure craft (abf.gov.au)  

In addition to being an offence to leave Australia without ABF clearance, it is also an offence to go ashore without receiving approval from the DAFF and ABF.