Information for a Cultural or Sporting Event
Are you organising or attending a cultural or sporting event in Australia?
To avoid delays to your participation in this event, you need to know before you arrive what you can and can't bring into Australia. This information is also available in other languages.
Australia is unique in its isolation and certain pests and diseases could devastate Australia's native wildlife and its environment, tourism and agriculture industries. To prevent that from occurring, Australia places strict controls on the articles that can and can't be brought into Australia. If you don't comply with Australia's quarantine requirements you may commit an offence. This may result in prosecution or an on the spot fine and your goods might be destroyed.
Before you arrive, find out what you can't bring into Australia
Some articles are completely prohibited entry and may be destroyed. Some articles are prohibited entry into Australia unless AQIS has granted an import permit. Some articles are prohibited unless they are treated on arrival in Australia.
Examples of articles that may carry pests or diseases include:
- drums, other musical instruments and costumes made from materials such as rawhide, feathers, fur, skins, seeds, nuts, wood, bark or other plant material
- recreational freshwater equipment such as watercraft, wetsuits and fishing gear, as they can pose a significant risk of bringing in the freshwater alga, Didymo
- soiled sporting gear and footwear, including bicycles and golf equipment.
To help you experience a hassle free arrival, you need to do the following things before you leave for Australia:
- Consider sourcing these articles in Australia and/or shipping them to Australia well before the event.
- If that's not possible, notify AQIS Airports as soon as possible of what you plan to bring into Australia. You will be informed if any of these articles are prohibited, require an import permit or must be treated.
- If an import permit is required, allow several weeks for the assessment of your application (fees apply). If a permit is granted, you must then comply with any conditions imposed.
- If your articles need to be treated on arrival in Australia, allow several weeks (fees may apply).
Some of the articles you wish to bring into Australia may be subject to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). For further information contact the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Further information is available from the following:
- AQIS Import Conditions Database—ICON to find out what quarantine restrictions apply.
- Legislation AQIS operates under.
- The Department of Immigration and Citizenship's International Event Coordinator Network, to find out what visa you need to travel to Australia.
- Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website for a quick guide on Australian Customs requirements, including duty free allowances.