Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) which manages the country’s biosecurity risks, has advised that from 27 February 2026 all non-commercial vessels (recreational and private) arriving into Australia will have to provide their Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) in writing (including electronically).

Published 4 days ago, updated 1 day ago

Pre-arrival Reporting Obligations

Under Australia’s Biosecurity Act legislation, all non-commercial vessel owners and vessel operators, arriving in Australian territory to visit, stay or returning Australians must provide a Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) when intending to arrive in Australian territory.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) requires this Pre-arrival Report to ensure that the biosecurity risk of each vessel entering Australian waters is assessed and managed.

Following amendments to Australia’s Biosecurity Legislation, published in August 2025, skippers of all non-commercial (i.e. recreational and private vessels) arriving into Australia will now have to provide their Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) in writing (including electronically). These reports will no longer be able to be given orally and must be sent 96 to 12 hours prior to arrival in Australian waters.

The Pre-Arrival Report can be lodged into the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) pre-arrival reporting (PAR) web portal for non-commercial vessel operators, which was launched in December 2023.

This change will increase the consistency in biosecurity reporting processes and outcomes according to DAFF’s Biosecurity Operations Division.  The amended reporting obligations will come into force on 27 February 2026, allowing time for all stakeholders and affected parties to prepare for the change.

Reminder to vessel masters

The Biosecurity Operations Divisions also reminds all vessel skippers that changes in circumstances during a visit or voyage to Australian territory, particularly to the human health of travellers, must be reported as soon as practicable.

A failure to report accurately or comply with a requirement under the Biosecurity Act 2015 may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties, or criminal prosecutions.

Information and Enquiries

• For more information, go to Vessels, aircraft and military on the DAFF website.
• See also:  New Pre-Arrival Reporting Obligations for Non-Commercial Vessels
• For general enquiries or enquiries relating to arriving by sea, please contact the department on 1800 900 090 or email: conveyance.maritime@aff.gov.au

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