16 October 2026
Who does this notice affect?
All airlines and aircraft operators operating international flights into Australian territory, including their representatives and ground handling agents.
What has changed?
This notice reminds aircraft operators of their biosecurity reporting obligations where insects or other pests are detected onboard an aircraft travelling to Australia.
Under section 193 of the Biosecurity Act 2015, aircraft operators are required to report prescribed information prior to landing in Australia.
Section 44(2) of the Biosecurity Regulations 2026 sets out the information that must be reported, and includes:
(c) if there are animals or plants (or both) in the cabin of the aircraft—that fact;
(d) if any animal in the cabin of the aircraft died during the flight—that fact;
This includes any insects or other pests identified onboard an aircraft during a flight into Australian territory. Aircraft operators must ensure this information is reported to the department prior to arrival.
Pre-arrival reporting enables the department to assess biosecurity risks and determine whether any action is required on arrival.
Action Required
Prior to departure, aircraft operators should take reasonable steps to prevent pests entering the aircraft.
If insects or other pests are detected during a flight to Australia, aircraft operators must report this fact to the department before arrival.
Upon arrival, aircraft operators must comply with any directions given by a biosecurity officer, which may include facilitating an inspection, securing the aircraft, or undertaking biosecurity measures to manage biosecurity risks.
Aircraft operators are encouraged to review the Biosecurity obligations for aircraft arriving in Australian territory document to ensure they understand their biosecurity requirements.
Further information
Please contact Conveyance.Aircraft@aff.gov.au