MARS News
A quick reference guide to Understanding the MARS Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) is now available: Quick Reference Guide: Understanding the BSD.
Using the MARS Offline form for itinerary updates
The MARS itinerary update form is for agents and masters to advise the department of changes to a vessel’s itinerary for a voyage.
- Use this form for changes after a Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) has already been submitted, for changes to a vessel’s subsequent port itinerary.
- Masters and agents to complete the form and email it to the National Maritime Centre (NMC) to action.
Getting help for vessel arrivals into Australia
Contact us for help, 7 days a week.
Download tools to support the MARS implementation
The following documents are available for download to support vessel operators and shipping agents with reporting and inspection requirements.
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
This brochure introduces the reporting obligations for MARS, as well as options for access, registration, inspection, billing and invoicing, and the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD). It also introduces the Vessel Compliance Scheme (VCS) and includes feedback from peak industry bodies and agents that have been involved in MARS testing.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| MARS and what it means for you PDF | 12 | 997 KB |
Be aware of biosecurity risks on board your vessel. This guide is designed to help you identify pests most likely to stowaway on board.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Pest Alert! Do You Have Stowaways on Board? PDF | 16 | 486 KB |
A simple checklist tool to help vessel operators get ready for arrival in Australia and prepare the vessel to meet Australia’s biosecurity requirements.
Vessel Documentation checklist
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| Australia’s biosecurity checklist for commercial vessels (English) PDF | 1 | 889 KB |
Building on Australia’s biosecurity checklist for commercial vessels (above), the VCS products (below) provide guidance on compliance with Australia’s biosecurity obligations, and the consequences of non-compliance.
The VCS was designed to improve the transparency of biosecurity risks that biosecurity officers look for during vessel inspections. Compliant vessels that meet the VCS criteria have reduced intervention and associated cost benefits.
VCS is available to the following main vessel types:
- Bulk carriers, cargo and container vessels
- Tankers
- Military and Customs vessels
- Tugs, dredges and barges.
VCS is not available to the following vessel types:
- Cruise vessels
- Roll on Roll off vessels (ROROs)
- Livestock vessels
- Non-commercial vessels and superyachts.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| VCS (brochure) PDF | 2 | 279 KB |
| VCS (poster) PDF | 1 | 204 KB |
A selection of Quick Reference Guides are available to assist you with the most common activities when starting to use MARS.
QRGs can be used in conjunction with the detailed MARS User Guides and FAQs.
These two comprehensive user guides provide step-by-step instructions for accessing and using MARS functionality. There are two guides, based on your MARS user roles, as either a vessel master or as an agent. Last updated 16 March 2017.
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
| MARS Vessel Master User Guide PDF | 139 | 6.74 MB |
| MARS Vessel Agent User Guide PDF | 128 | 6.80 MB |
To support the implementation of MARS we have released an interactive learning tool to help our clients and stakeholders gain an understanding of Australia’s biosecurity vessel clearance process, learn about the Vessel Compliance Scheme (VCS) and gain an overview MARS.
This eLearning tool will provide an introduction to the maritime pathway and also explain your biosecurity obligations. The tool introduces the:
- maritime pathway regulatory obligations
- roles and responsibilities
- why and what the department assesses
- the Vessel Compliance Scheme
- MARS and its functionality.
Launch the Biosecurity Clearance of Vessels and MARS Interactive Learning
This learning tool uses Adobe Flash Player. If you experience errors, review your Flash Player settings or access the assistive technology version, select ‘Yes’ in the Before you start window on the index page.
For help accessing the learning tool email MARS or phone 1800 900 090 or + 61 3 8318 6700 (from outside Australia).
© Commonwealth of Australia 2017
The Biosecurity Clearance of Vessels and MARS interactive learning tool (the tool) is protected by copyright. You may download and use the tool and its contents for personal non-commercial use or use within your organisation but you may not otherwise copy or change the tool or its contents. You must not alter or remove any copyright statement or logo included on, or in connection with, the tool. Requests for further authorisation should be directed to the Assistant Secretary, Compliance, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, email MARS.