7 April 2026
Who does this notice affect?
All vessel owners, operators, masters and shipping agents who represent international non-commercial (yachts and superyachts) and commercial (cruise and military) vessels preparing for arrival into Australian territory.
What has changed?
As part of the department’s broader works to improve IT security, the department is making a change to the MARS email address, for emails that are sent to clients from MARS and the non-commercial vessel web portal. That email address is currently donotreply@aff.gov.au.
From 14 April 2026, all emails generated by MARS and the non-commercial vessel web portal will be emailed from a new department system-generated email address: noreply_MARS@aff.gov.au.
What this means for masters and shipping agents
You or your organisation may need to update your email systems to accept the new MARS and non-commercial vessel web portal email address. This may require the new email address to be added to your organisation’s pre-approved list of entity email addresses so these messages are not automatically forwarded to SPAM folders.
As vessel operators, masters or shipping agencies, your organisations may have rules (whitelists) to manage incoming emails, which may require updates to accept the new email address.
If your organisation does not update its systems, rules, or whitelists immediately, you may stop receiving critical biosecurity communications. To ensure uninterrupted receipt of MARS automated notifications, update systems to recognise noreply_MARS@aff.gov.au as a legitimate sender email address.
Do not reply directly to these noreply_MARS@aff.gov.au email messages, replies are not monitored.
Each email from the department will include contact details for where you can email responses or email questions.
Alternatively, contact the National Maritime Centre (NMC) on 1300 004 605 (+61 8 8201 6185 if outside of Australia) or email MaritimeNC@aff.gov.au.
Further information
Reminder to vessel masters and shipping agents
- Read and understand the emailed 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.
- Any changes in circumstances during the voyage in Australian waters, particularly changes to the human health of crew/passengers, must be reported via MARS for commercial vessels or to the National Maritime Centre (NMC) as soon as practicable.
- For commercial vessels, ensure the correct port, billing and crew agencies are correctly entered in MARS for accurate billing at each disembarkation port.
- 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 NMC: Email: MaritimeNC@aff.gov.au. Phone: 1300 004 605 (within Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).
View the Vessels webpages for information on Australia’s biosecurity reporting obligations and responsibilities.