48-2016 - Pre-arrival reporting requirements for aircraft on non-scheduled flights arriving in Australian territory - effective 16 June 2016

10 June 2016

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is for airline and aircraft operators and agents of aircraft on non-scheduled flights arriving in Australian territory.

What has changed?

Commencing 16 June 2016, airline and aircraft operators/agents of aircraft on non-scheduled flights arriving in Australian territory must report the following – noting new additional reporting obligations are highlighted below in bold text and marked*:

1. details of any person on board who has, or had, signs or symptoms of a listed human disease during the flight;
2. details of any person on board who died during the flight;
3. if there are animals or plants (or both) in the cabin*;
4. if any animal in the cabin died during the flight*;
5. if the prescribed disinsection measures for the aircraft have not been taken, or will not have been taken, before the aircraft arrives;
6. information identifying the aircraft;
7. intended first landing place in Australian territory;
8. estimated day and time of arrival at the intended first landing place;
   1. name and contact details of*:
   2. The operator of the aircraft; and
9. If the operator is not the owner of the aircraft – the owner of the aircraft;
10. details about any animals or plants in the cabin of the aircraft.

The report must be given:

1. at the earlier of:
   1. 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
   2. 30 minutes before the aircraft is estimated to come to a standstill after arriving at its first landing place in Australian territory; or
2. at the time specified by a biosecurity official.

The report must be given orally or in writing (including electronically) to a biosecurity officer at the intended first landing place or at the department office responsible for biosecurity clearances at the intended first landing place.

Airline and aircraft operators and agents should utilise existing telephone and email contacts for biosecurity officers at the first landing place or department offices responsible for biosecurity operations at the first landing place.

If the pre-arrival report is provided to another party, it is the responsibility of the operator of the aircraft, the person reporting, to ensure the information is delivered to a biosecurity officer.

The Listed Human Diseases will be published on the Department of Health website at www.health.gov.au/quarantine from 16 June 2016.

The current Guidelines for airline and aircraft operators arriving in Australia will be updated and available from 16 June 2016 on the department’s website.

Further information?

For more information, please visit The Biosecurity Act 2015 or contact the Biosecurity Implementation Branch at New Biosecurity Legislation or call 1800 040 629.