27 November 2025
Who does this notice affect?
All airlines and aircraft operators arriving in Australian territory, their representatives and ground handling agents.
What has changed?
The department is releasing the modernised Biosecurity obligations for aircraft arriving in Australian territory (Biosecurity Obligations), immediately replacing the Guidelines for airlines and aircraft arriving in Australian territory (Aircraft Guidelines).
This document provides clear, concise and accessible guidance to support aircraft operators in meeting their obligations under Australia’s biosecurity laws.
Structured around the three critical phases of an international aircraft’s arrival into Australian territory – ‘Prior to departing your last overseas port’; ‘Enroute’; and ‘On arrival’ – Biosecurity Obligations outlines mandatory obligations and their associated penalties at each stage.
There are no material impacts to current aircraft procedures resulting from the release of this document as existing policy settings remain unchanged.
Action required
On release of the Biosecurity obligations document¸ we request you promptly:
- destroy any saved or printed versions of the old Aircraft Guidelines document
- refer only to the Biosecurity obligations document effective immediately.
Where to locate the new documents
The document has been digitally reproduced on the following DAFF webpages, and may be downloaded for reference:
Further information
A Final Approach fact sheets series has been created to support the release of the Biosecurity Obligations document. They are available on our Aircraft biosecurity news and resources.
For general enquiries or enquiries relating to arriving aircraft, please contact the department on 1800 900 090 or Conveyance.Aircraft@aff.gov.au.