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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, campaign 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 may receive an on-the-spot fine of up to $AUD220, or may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $AUD66,000 or 10 years imprisonment which may result in 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.
Download the What can't I take into Australia? brochure 
PDF [488kb]
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.
Download the What's happening to your goods? brochure PDF [189kb]
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.
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 Agriculture or call (within Australia) 1800 084 881.
Download the Traveller's Guide to Interstate Quarantine PDF [475kb]
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 PDF [475kb].
