27 October 2025
Who does this notice affect?
- All international non-scheduled flights arriving in Australian territory.
- All non-commercial vessel (recreational vessels, yachts and motor cruisers) owners or vessel operators arriving in Australian territory to visit or stay, including 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?
On 27 August 2025, the Biosecurity Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2025 (Amendment) was published on the Federal Register of Legislation.
The amended reporting obligations will come into force on 27 February 2026, allowing operators time to prepare.
Non-commercial vessel pre-arrival reporting changes
Pre-arrival reports will have to be provided in writing (including electronically). These reports will no longer be able to be given orally.
- These reports can be lodged into the pre-arrival reporting (PAR) web portal for non-commercial vessel operators launched in December 2023.
- This change will increase the consistency in biosecurity reporting processes and outcomes.
Reminder to vessel masters and shipping agents
- Changes in circumstances during a visit or voyage to Australian territory, particularly to the human health of travellers, must be reported as soon as practicable.
- 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.
Aircraft pre-arrival reporting changes relating to non-scheduled flights
New reporting obligations for non-scheduled flights.
A new pre-arrival report (PAR) category has been created under s193(1A)(b) of the Act, through the introduction of a new section 47A of the Biosecurity Regulations 2016, specifically relating to non-scheduled flights. The main change to existing requirements is the introduction of an earlier reporting timeframe.
- Commencing from 27 February 2026, if a non-scheduled international flight is intending to enter Australian territory, and no exceptions apply, the non-scheduled Pre-Arrival Report (NSPAR) must be given prior to the aircraft commencing the flight from outside Australian territory.
This earlier reporting timeframe provides more time to assess and respond to potential biosecurity risks, before the aircraft arrives.
Alignment of in-flight general PAR requirements
The in-flight general PAR (GPAR) requirements for non-scheduled flights have been maintained but are now aligned with those for scheduled flights.
From the 27 February 2026 commencement date, non-scheduled flights will only need to submit an in-flight general PAR at the top of descent to the first landing place if any of the following occur:
- A person on board has, or had, signs or symptoms of a listed human disease
- A person on board dies during the flight
- There are animals or plants in the cabin
- An animal in the cabin dies during the flight
- The mandatory aircraft disinsection measures were not carried out before arrival in Australian territory.
What’s next
Use the next 6 months to update your processes, train staff and ensure readiness for compliance.
From the commencement date, 27 February 2026, the department will apply compliance and enforcement provisions to conveyances that do not meet these new reporting requirements.
Further information
Stakeholders are encouraged to visit Vessels, aircraft and military for further information.
Further updates will be published in the lead up to the commencement period within the Import Industry Advice Notices.
For general enquiries or enquiries relating to arriving aircraft, please contact the department on 1800 900 090 or email:
- Maritime: conveyance.maritime@aff.gov.au
- Aircraft: conveyance.aircraft@aff.gov.au