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Australian Biosecurity

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Australian Biosecurity

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Information for people travelling or sending goods to Australia.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has portfolio responsibility for managing Australia's biosecurity system. Keeping Australia free from many of the pests and diseases present in other parts of the world is a shared responsibility. Knowing what you, your friends and family can bring into the country either through the airport or through the mail will help keep our environment, agricultural industries and economy safe. Questions posed to this page will be referred to the department's website and feedback form.

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Media inquiries should be directed to 02 6272 3232 or [email protected]
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For queries about what can and can't be sent or brought to Australia, visit http://agriculture.gov.au/travelling.

30/10/2026

🪔 Celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights?

If you're expecting gifts from overseas family and friends, help protect Australia from harmful pests and diseases.

Food, plant material and animal products can carry biosecurity risks that threaten our environment, agriculture and tourism industries.

Before sending or bringing gifts to Australia, check what's allowed. Items such as sweets containing dairy, fresh or dried fruit, spices, nuts, seeds, herbs, flowers and plant material may not be permitted.

✅ Artificial flowers, fabric items, gold or silver beads and personalised photo gifts are generally permitted.

Breaching Australia's biosecurity laws can result in significant penalties and visa cancellation ⬇️

28/10/2026

🚨CASE CLOSED: Following a multi-agency investigation under Operation Cascade, Noah Ebert was found guilty of Illegal wildlife trafficking.

The Victorian man attempted to illegally import pythons, iguanas, tarantulas and an albino turtle into Australia.

Mr Ebert was:
✅ investigated
✅ prosecuted
✅ found guilty and sentenced

Smuggled animals can carry serious pests and disease. These can threaten Australia's environment, agriculture and way of life.

Illegal wildlife trafficking is one of the world's largest illegal industries. It is often linked to organised criminal activity.

Thinking about buying an exotic pet? Always buy animals from reputable Australian breeders and traders.

You could help stop wildlife crime. If you see something suspicious, call the biosecurity Redline on 1800 798 636.

27/10/2026

Our horticulture industries, backyard gardens and native plants have something in common. They are all worth protecting from the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB).

This pest damages fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants. If left unchecked, it could hitchhike to Australia in imported goods, vehicles and packaging.

From September each year, we apply extra measures to goods arriving from countries where BMSB is established, helping to stop it from establishing here.

🛡️ It is one of the ways Australia’s biosecurity system works quietly in the background, every day.

📱 Report any suspected finds by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or online ⬇️🔗

26/10/2026

🐾 A first-day milestone for biosecurity at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport!

Our biosecurity detector dogs got straight to work on the first day of international passenger flights.

Detector dog Goji and handler Katie made the airport’s first detector dog interception. They detected undeclared bananas and pistachio nuts in a traveller's baggage.

This is an important first for Australia’s newest international gateway and demonstrates our biosecurity controls in action.

Our detector dogs work alongside biosecurity officers and advanced screening technology. Together, they help find and manage risks at the border.

It's a strong first-day result and a reminder that everyone has a role to play in protecting Australia from biosecurity risks.

20/10/2026

Biosecurity officers recently detected medicinal patches containing bear bile in the baggage of an international traveller.

Bear bile products are highly regulated and, in most cases, illegal to import into Australia. Most bear species used in bile products are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which strictly prohibits international commercial trade in these animals and their derivatives.

Beyond the legal issues, bear bile products raise a serious biosecurity concern. The bile is often extracted from live bears using inhumane and unsanitary methods, increasing the risk of contamination with harmful diseases.

Unregulated animal-derived medicines can pose risks and may introduce exotic disease or biological contaminants that threaten our country.

Products like these can result in significant penalties, including imprisonment.

Checking and declaring before travel is essential. Learn more ⬇️

14/10/2026

Operation Wager began when department investigators uncovered undeclared bullfrog, spicy frogs and black chicken meat. 🚨

After further investigation, Thi Thuy Hai La was charged with attempting to import 152 kilos of undeclared meat into Australia.

On 26 June 2026, Ms La appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court and was found guilty.

Ms La was sentenced to a total of 13 months imprisonment for breaches of s186(5) and s186(2) of the Biosecurity Act 2015.

The defendant was released on a two-year good behaviour bond.

The department's interception prevented high-risk biosecurity products from entering Australia.

Illegal imports can introduce serious biosecurity risks and threaten Australia's agriculture, environment and food systems.

Breaching Australia's strict biosecurity laws could result in up to 10 years imprisonment or a conviction that could shut down your business.

Know someone not doing the right thing? Report it to REDLINE on 1800 803 006. 📞

13/10/2026

A traveller returning from Sri Lanka declared some unusual fridge magnets made from elephant dung. 💩🧲

While they might make a memorable conversation starter, animal waste products can carry pests, parasites and diseases that pose a real risk to Australia’s agriculture, environment and native wildlife.

Specifically, animal waste can have bacteria, insect larvae or w**d seeds that could affect our livestock health or introduce invasive plants into our environment.

The magnets were not permitted and were voluntarily disposed of by the traveller before they left the airport.

It’s a reminder that just because something is sold as a souvenir, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to bring home.

Check what you can bring into Australia ⬇️

05/10/2026

Travellers arriving from Bali declared what they thought were resin skull decorations. The overseas seller had assured them the items were safe and commonly imported into Australia.

On inspection at Brisbane Airport, biosecurity officers discovered the items were not resin at all. Scanning confirmed the skulls were organic material, which poses a significant biosecurity risk.

Further inspection revealed another concern – the skulls contained live spiders! Animal material and live invertebrates can carry pests and diseases that threaten Australia’s environment, agriculture and native wildlife. The items were surrendered and managed appropriately.

Every day, biosecurity officers on the frontline work to protect Australia.

Don't rely on the seller’s advice. Always declare and check import conditions before you pack. Check what you can bring ⬇️

30/09/2026

A traveller returning from overseas declared they had ‘honey’ and ‘toothbrushes’ in their baggage 🍯

On inspection, biosecurity officers found the labelled honey was contained in a soft drink bottle and included honeycomb, bark and large quantities of whole bees and bee parts! These materials can carry serious pests and diseases that threaten Australia’s honeybee populations and pollination system.

The declared ‘toothbrushes’ were in fact 10-inch plant cuttings that were green and viable, presenting a risk to introducing plant pests, diseases and invasive species 🎋

Neither item met Australian import conditions and both were voluntarily disposed of by the traveller before they left the airport.

Items such as untreated honey and live plant material pose a high risk to Australia’s agriculture and environment. Bee pests and diseases can spread rapidly, impact food production, and cause long-term economic damage.

Declaring items is essential – but it’s important to understand what can and can’t bee brought into Australia 🐝

Learn more ⬇️

30/09/2026

We all have a role to play in being prepared for H5 bird flu.

Knowing what you can do helps.

H5 bird flu: know what to do.

Address

Canberra, ACT

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm

Telephone

+611800900090

Website

http://agriculture.gov.au/travelling

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