30 November 2023
Who does this notice affect?
All non-commercial vessel owners or, vessel operators arriving in Australian territory to visit or, stay together with any returning Australians intending to arrive in Australian territory. All shipping agents who represent international non-commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory.
What has changed?
Under the Biosecurity Act, all vessel operators are required to provide pre-arrival report information when intending to arrive in Australian territory.
The department is improving the pre-arrival reporting process for non-commercial vessel operators to report their arrival in Australian waters with the introduction of a pre-arrival report (PAR).
From 1 December 2023, all non-commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory must submit a pre-arrival report (PAR). The PAR must be submitted 90 days to 12 hours before arriving in Australian territory.
Once the PAR has been submitted using the department’s 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.
Further information
Legislation
By law, all vessels arriving in Australian territory from outside of Australia are subject to biosecurity control.
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.
Thinking about coming to Australian territory?
If you are visiting, returning to Australia, or importing a non-commercial vessel, the owner/operator of the vessel is responsible for complying with Australia’s Biosecurity Act 2015 and Biosecurity Regulation 2016.
Biosecurity measures manage a 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 into contact with international vessels, must:
- give notice of impending arrival 90 days to no less than 12 hours before arrival
- enter Australia through a designated first point of entry (FPOE) for non-commercial vessels.
- be granted pratique before disembarkation or unloading of cargo.
- 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.
- manage any identified biosecurity risk.
MARS information
MARS is the online web portal currently being used by commercial shipping industry, including cruise and superyacht vessel masters and shipping agents, to submit pre-arrival documents: a requirement for all international vessels preparing for arrival in Australian territory.
MARS has recently been upgraded to manage aircraft arrivals and assess biosecurity risk on board an aircraft. The MARS home page will now include an aircraft tile and is for internal use only. The tile will not function for users external to the department.
Biosecurity Status Documents (BSDs) are:
- the source of information for biosecurity directions and advice to vessel operators and shipping agents, for each voyage.
- auto generated in MARS and emailed to the vessel operators (and any nominated agent) and version controlled to reflect any reported changes to directions or status occurring throughout a voyage.
- the department's directions for the vessel voyage including berthing conditions, pratique, goods (including animals and hitchhikers), timber inspection and treatment directions.
- use a traffic light system as a visual cue to alert the vessel operators and shipping agents regarding the vessel status and any associated directions or advice issued by the department.
A quick reference guide to Understanding the MARS Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) is available at this link: Quick Reference Guide: Understanding the BSD.
For further information on non-commercial vessel reporting, visit the department’s webpage: Non-commercial vessel arrival biosecurity reporting - yachts and private superyachts - DAFF (aff.gov.au)
Reminder to vessel operators and shipping agents
- to read and understand the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) directions and conditions and keep a copy of the current document on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage in Australia.
- that any changes in circumstances during the voyage in Australian waters, particularly changes to the human health of travellers, must be submitted via MARS or reported to the National Maritime Centre (NMC) as soon as practicable.
- that a failure to report accurately or comply with a requirement under the Biosecurity Act 2015 may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties, or criminal prosecutions.
Contact the department’s National Maritime Centre (NMC) by email or phone: 1300 004 605 (in Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).
View the Vessels webpages for information on Australia’s biosecurity reporting obligations and responsibilities.
Information about the new PAR process, including reporting requirements, will be emailed directly to NCV clients.