Tips for Travellers

Entering Australia

Before arriving in Australia

To make airport clearance faster and simpler for your clients when they arrive in Australia encourage them to:

• Read a copy of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service brochure What can't I take into Australia or visit the website for information on travel 
  
  
• Clean all footwear, golf clubs, mountain bikes, camping or sporting equipment to remove any traces of soil or contaminants
  
  
• Pack goods for quarantine inspection in one item of hand luggage—and if possible place at the top of the bag.

On arrival in Australia

Make sure there are no unpleasant surprises for your clients by preparing them for quarantine inspection before their arrival. If your clients are travelling to Australia, inform them that:

• Their baggage may be x-rayed, inspected or checked by a detector dog team when they arrive at an Australian international airport.
  
  
• They must declare all food, plant material and animal products on their Incoming Passenger Card.
  
  
• If they fail to declare or dispose of quarantine items, or if they make a false declaration, they will be caught and could be fined $AUD220 on–the–spot, may be prosecuted and fined more than $AUD60,000 or risk 10 years imprisonment and a criminal record. 

To be aware and prepare for travel to Australia see Travel Information and view the 'What can't I take into Australia?' brochure. This brochure is available in a number of languages. It outlines what can and cannot be brought into Australia, information about the quarantine process on arrival and the use of quarantine detector dogs at the airport.

Cultural or seasonal events

Inform your clients of the current quarantine requirements for international travellers. View AQIS quarantine travel advice for information on the changing quarantine requirements in the event of a pest and disease outbreak, or information about the risks posed by brining prohibited items into Australia upon their return from overseas cultural or seasonal events.

For information on changing import conditions see ICON.

Seized items

For information your clients need to know about what happens to goods in the event that they do not meet AQIS import conditions view the 'What's happening to your goods?' brochure. This brochure outlines the options available such as treatment/fumigation, re-exportation and collection of detained goods.

Posting items to Australia

For information your clients need to know if they want to mail items from overseas to Australia, such as gifts, souvenirs or food, they should read the 'What can't be mailed to Australia?' brochure.

Interstate travellers

Every Australian state and territory has specific quarantine requirements detailing items that are allowed to be taken across state borders. AQIS does not keep a record of each state's requirements. If your clients require further information on interstate quarantine please direct them to contact the relevant state department of primary industries, call (within Australia) 1800 084 881 or view the Quarantine Domestic website.

Before you leave Australia

Every country has specific import requirements. AQIS does not keep a record of other countries requirements. For further information direct your clients to contact the relevant country's consulate or embassy in your nearest capital city.

To prepare your clients for Australian quarantine requirements before they leave Australia view the Lonely Planet destination guides.

Taking items out of Australia

Australian has strict laws controlling the import and export of products made from protected wildlife. For information on products or souvenirs made from protected wildlife which are prohibited and restricted, contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) on +61 2 6274 1111.

DEWHA produces a brochure 'If in doubt—check it out' availble from their website.