Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search

Help for those affected by flood

Visit recovery.gov.au.

Close
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Minister
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Plant health
    • Drought and rural support
    • Mouse infestation advice
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade Lowering biosecurity risks to Australia, and assisting industry to accelerate growth towards a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Our science strategy
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Our department has changed

    Our department has changed

    Learn more about our roles and responsibilities.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Travelling or sending goods to Australia
  4. Travelling to Australia
  5. Returning to Australia

Sidebar first - Travelling

  • Travelling to Australia
    • Advice to travellers
      • Human health
        • Coronavirus advice
    • Studying in Australia
    • Returning to Australia

Returning to Australia

Some goods you buy overseas can carry a host of exotic pests and diseases. These can harm our environment and industries.

Avoid buying gifts and souvenirs that pose a risk to Australia. Also, be aware that some items you brought with you on your trip can get contaminated.

Make sure it’s allowed before you bring it back.

Transcript DOCX [57 KB, 1 page]

When you travel

Be biosecurity aware.

Check the rules before buying food, animal products or plant material (including wooden articles) to avoid extra costs, loss of goods or delays on your return.

If you attend an overseas cultural or seasonal event there are some items you should avoid bringing back.

Read our current traveller alerts for information on health threats and pest and disease risks.

Prepare and declare your goods

Follow these tips to help keep Australia free of exotic pests and diseases.

Clean

Thoroughly clean and dry all hiking, fishing and camping equipment used overseas to remove soil, seeds or plant material. This includes footwear such as hiking boots and sporting gear like wetsuits or bikes. These items may require inspection on arrival.

Pack

Check your baggage, including shoes, for hitchhikers such as insects, lizards, frogs and toads when packing for Australia.

Don’t be sorry, just declare it!

You must declare risk goods, including certain food, animal products and plant material, for inspection on arrival.

Pests and diseases can also contaminate your goods while you’re overseas. Remember to declare goods, including animal and plant products that you take out of Australia and bring back in.

If you are unsure, declare it on your Incoming Passenger Card.

Declaring items does not automatically mean they will be confiscated. If you fail to declare risk goods, you could face a fine or possible prosecution.

Contact us

You can contact us for advice. Make sure the goods you want to bring back comply with Australian law.

Contacts

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 03 November 2021

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.