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When entering an Australian port, international vessels must comply with the:
Vessels must arrive at a first point of entry (FPOE) unless we grant prior approval to arrive at a non-first point of entry. Find out about:
(previously known as coastal strip or coastal status)
All international vessels intending to arrive in Australia are required to submit pre-arrival reporting to the department prior to arrival for each voyage in Australian territory.
Commercial vessels must report using the Maritime and Aircraft Reporting System (MARS).
The department administers Ship Sanitation Certification (SSC) requirements on behalf of the Department of Health and aged care.
Ship Sanitation Certification (SSC) is aimed at controlling the spread of international listed human diseases by controlling any vectors of these diseases that could potentially be carried on a commercial vessel.
Increased intervention and a stronger enforcement approach is currently in place to keep African Swine Fever (ASF) out of Australia. Passengers and crew must not remove jerky, biltong and other pork products from the vessel. See Keeping ASF out of Australia.
All commercial vessels must use MARS for vessel pre-arrival reporting.
Commercial vessel types that must use MARS to report noting that some vessels having additional requirements to be met:
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, October 2020
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, October 2020
The department is responsible for managing the risk associated with the movement of all domestic bulk in-ship agricultural commodities on board international vessels.
Bulk vessels can harbour exotic pests and plant diseases such as Karnal bunt, which if introduced into Australia, could have the potential to severely impact Australia’s agricultural sector, natural environment and economy.
The department regulates international bulk vessels that:
We work with many international organisations and governments to improve biofouling management globally.
The IMO is the United Nations’ specialised agency responsible for safety and security of shipping and prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. IMO's work supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Australian biofouling management requirements for commercial vessels (ABFMR-CV) set out obligations for the management of biofouling for operators of commercial vessels. These obligations apply when operating vessels under biosecurity control within Australian territorial seas, in order to comply with the Biosecurity Act 2015.
