Human Quarantine

The Department of Health and Ageing is responsible for developing and maintaining human quarantine and public health policy in Australia. DAFF's responsibilities are limited to the administration of specific human quarantine functions at Australian international air and sea ports.

This procedure enables DAFF to identify people who may be displaying prescribed symptoms of quarantinable diseases that are a serious public health threat to Australia. Australian quarantine laws require that the captain of an international aircraft or vessel must report any passengers or crew who display certain disease symptoms or who are ill with particular quarantinable diseases. The report must be made to an DAFF Bisoecurity officer prior to the vessel's arrival in Australia. This is known as 'pratique'.

Useful information 

• Guidelines for Airline and Aircraft Operators Arriving in Australia
• Pratique for overseas vessels—fact sheet
• Reporting an Illness or Death Fact Sheet

Contacts for further information

Human health issues

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 27, GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6289 8638
www.health.gov.au

Human quarantine requirements at Australian international air and sea ports

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601

Airports Program
Phone: +61 2 6272 4143

Seaports Program
Phone: +61 2 6272 5557