It is common for Australian registered vessels to ply waters beyond the 12 nautical mile limit as part of their normal operations. Vessels that exceed this limit and which come into contact with another conveyance (vessel or aircraft), or visit an international port will be subject to biosecurity control when returning to Australian territory.
The department regulates all vessels arriving in the Australian territory. These vessels may or may not, as part of their activities, come into contact or be exposed to international ports, international vessels or installations. Vessels that are subject to biosecurity control must comply with biosecurity requirements. These requirements may vary due to vessel type.
If a vessel is exposed, it will become subject to biosecurity control. (Vessel stores and waste may become subject to biosecurity control if an Exposed Goods Order is issued by a biosecurity officer).
If a vessel is not exposed, it is subject to an exception and will not be subject to biosecurity control.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, vessels (including those arriving from Australia) become subject to biosecurity control upon entering 12 nautical miles of the external territories (Christmas Island, Cocos and Keeling Islands and Norfolk Island). Likewise, all goods and conveyances from these external territories become subject to biosecurity control upon entering within the 12 nautical mile limit of the Australian Territories.
For more information visit Vessels, aircraft and military.
Australian vessels may include but are not limited to:
- Commercial fishing vessels
- Department of Home Affairs and Border Force
- Royal Australian Navy vessels
- Cargo carriers
- Commercial tugs
- Rig tenders
- Non-commercial fishing vessels
- Tour and charter vessels
- Research vessels
- Privately owned yachts and cruisers
- Any Australian registered vessel
Australian vessel reporting requirements
- Ships masters are required to submit a Pre Arrival Report (PAR) prior to arrival.
- Private non-commercial vessels and cruisers subject to biosecurity control, must contact the Department of Home Affairs and Border Force - Let Us Know You're Coming and the department prior to arrival.
- All vessels are also required to manage their ballast water with a department approved method.
- All disembarking crew and passengers will need to have their personal effects available for inspection by a biosecurity officer prior to leaving the vessel.
- If a vessel is subject to biosecurity control, masters must decide if they wish the vessel to remain in international status or request a release from biosecurity control (Coastal stripping).
Australian military vessels
Military vessels entering Australian first points of entry, along with non-first points of entry and external territories are required to submit pre-arrival reporting and ballast water reporting within 96 to 12 hours of entry at a first Australian point of entry using MARS.
- Using MARS, vessel masters must advise the department of changes to previously reported information about crew/passenger movements, human health and waste disposal.
- Where illness on board the vessel is reported, the vessel master is required to answer additional questions to assess the public health risk associated with the vessel prior to arrival at the port.
Depending on the vessel's compliance with biosecurity requirements, military vessels may be subject to further biosecurity inspections whilst in port.