7 December 2023
Who does this notice affect?
All vessel owners, operators, masters and shipping agents who represent international commercial vessels, including cruise vessels, preparing for arrivals in Australian territory.
What has changed?
Following the deployment of updates to the PAR on 1 December 2023, it was reported to the department that agents and operators were unable to correctly complete the PAR.
The issue related specifically to the upated crew change questions. This issue has been resolved.
What do you need to do?
Vessel masters and shipping agents are able to report in MARS through the usual process for international vessels. The revised questions are located in the PAR Biosecurity tab in MARS.
MARS access: https://online.agriculture.gov.au/selfservice/
As an alternative to direct MARS access, the PAR offline form can be used by vessel masters or delegated officers where there is limited or unreliable internet connectivity to meet pre-arrival reporting obligations.
The MARS PAR offline form has been updated on the MARS offline forms webpage, for use from Monday 4 December 2023. Vessel masters or delegated officers should use the updated PAR offline form to avoid errors and delays when submitting the PAR information into MARS.
The updated offline form is available on the department's website: MARS offline forms
Further information
Reminder to vessel masters and shipping agents
- to read and understand the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) directions and conditions and keep a copy of the current document on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage in Australia.
- that any changes in circumstances during the voyage in Australian waters, particularly changes to the human health of travellers, must be submitted via MARS or reported to the National Maritime Centre (NMC) as soon as practicable.
- that 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.
??Contact the department's?National Maritime Centre (NMC)?by email or phone: 1300 004 605 (in Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).
View the Vessels webpages?for information on Australia's biosecurity reporting obligations and responsibilities.?