Biosecurity risk management template
1. Project overview
Provide a general overview of the project including details of:
Main site content
Biosecurity information for the major resource and energy sector
Importing equipment
The department aims to safeguard Australia’s animal and plant health status to maintain overseas markets and protect the economy and environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases.
Unique or exotic pets
Live animals and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world’s most damaging pests and diseases into Australia. This could devastate our unique environment.
While it’s common to keep dogs and cats as pets, other unique and interesting animals including reptiles, insects, amphibians and terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates are increasing in popularity and becoming more available.
Transit and transhipment of animals through Australia
Some animals may be permitted to transit or tranship through an Australian international airport without being imported into Australia.
Importing reproductive material semen and embryos
What you need to know
Semen and embryos from the animal species listed below can currently be imported into Australia from selected Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry approved countries only.
Permitted species for imports of animal semen include buffalo, cattle, cats, deer, dogs, giraffes, goats, horses, mice, rats and sheep.
Permitted species for imports of animal embryos include buffalo, cattle, deer, goats, mice, rats and sheep. For information about importing semen from dogs, please review the information available for:
Notice to Industry – Pigeon Imports
Purpose
This purpose of this webpage is to assist importers with a timeline for the submission of information/applications to the department for the import of pigeon consignments.
Submission of applications and documentation
The following table summarises the timeframes for submission of forms and applications. Information regarding the details of these is not covered in this document. Details are available on the department’s website and/or via the relevant contacts listed below.
Notice of intent to import live pigeons
Publication details
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - February 2026
You are required to email the completed form to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at least 3 to 7 business days prior to the scheduled arrival of the pigeon consignment in Australia.
Importing live pigeons
Live pigeons can currently be imported into Australia from selected department approved countries only. To bring live pigeons to Australia, they must meet all of the department's import conditions prior to export.
The Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) provides the import conditions for all permitted live pigeon imports.
Importing live animals into Australia for laboratory research
All imports of live laboratory animals require an import permit. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. In some instances, import permit applications may need to be referred to external agencies or other government departments for additional expert advice.
It is the importer's responsibility to comply with the requirements for importing live specimens into Australia under:
Invertebrate animals
All imports of live invertebrate animals and their reproductive material require an import permit. These applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and there is no guarantee an import permit will be granted.
Imports of live invertebrate animals from overseas can pose a major risk to Australia’s natural environment, our food security and economy. Many invertebrate animals are known pests or have the potential to harbour and spread diseases of significant animal, plant or human health concern.