Entering by boat: Australia

Before you arrive

• Notify the authorities 96 hours before arrival.
• Online procedure: Préavis à l’Australian Border Force + Pre-Arrival Report (MARS) — abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea/let-us-know-youre-coming
• Pre-Arrival Report de biosécurité (MARS)
• Biosécurité : bateaux de plaisance

The steps

1. At least 96 hours before arrival: notify the Australian Border Force (vessel name, flag, arrival port and time, last 4 ports, persons on board with date of birth, nationality and passport, illness, animals, weapons).
2. Between 90 days and 12 hours before: lodge the biosecurity Pre-Arrival Report online and keep the document you receive.
3. Before departure: a visa for every non-Australian.
4. Arrive at a first point of entry and wait on board for inspection.

Papers to have on board

• Passports for the whole crew
• Visas, if your nationality requires them
• Crew list
• Outward clearance from the previous country
• Maritime declaration of health
• Papers for animals on board
• Biosecurity declaration

Good to know

• For short voyages the notice period is shorter (72, 48, 24 or 12 hours).
• To berth outside a first point of entry: apply at least 10 days before.

Ports of entry

The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.

Sources

• abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea/let-us-know-youre-coming
• agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity/avm/vessels/non-commercial-vessels

This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.