Let Us Know You’re Coming – Australia

​​If you’re travelling by boat the master of a vessel arriving in Australia is required by law to give notice of impending arrival at least 96 hours before arrival. Penalties may apply for failure to do so.

If the journey to Australia is likely to take less than 96 hours then use the table below to work out when to give notice.

Item	Likely duration of journey	Specified period
1	72 hours or more but less than 96 hours	72 hours
2	48 hours or more but less than 72 hours	48 hours
3	24 hours or more but less than 48 hours	24 hours
4	Less than 24 hours	12 hours

​​How to let us know you’re coming

You can give 96 hours notice by either:

• Sending an email to yachtreport@homeaffairs.gov.au
• Phone us on +61 2 6246 1325

What you need to tell us

You will need to provide:

• the name of your craft
• the craft’s country and port of registration
• your intended first port of arrival
• your estimated arrival time
• the last four ports you visited
• the details of people on board including name, date of birth, nationality and passport number
• details of any illness or disease recently encountered
• if you have any animals on board
• if you have any firearms on board

Requirements for Superyachts entering Australia

Superyachts

Large motor or sailing vessels (superyachts) of over 24 metres in length, whether for private use or commercial recreational or sporting activities, are subject to customs, immigration and biosecurity controls when entering and/or departing Australia.

Recent changes to reporting and border clearance procedures have resulted in a superyacht owner/operator/master or agent being required to seek permission to enter Australia through non-appointed ports.

This applies to both private superyachts and those intending to operate as special recreational vessels (SRVs) in Australia for commercial purposes and under temporary licence arrangements as described under the Special Recreational Vessels Act (2019) and Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012.

A ship’s owner/operator/master or agent must submit a request through the Maritime Travellers Processing Committee (MTPC), for superyachts that are:

• operating privately, but proposing to arrive in Australia at non-appointed ports, or
• operating as an SRV (under a temporary coastal trading licence) proposing to arrive or visit non-appointed ports.

Application process for Superyachts

If MTPC approval is required, vessel operator/owners/masters or their agents must submit an MTPC application through the ASAP ​n​o later than 10 business days before the arrival and no more than 12 months in advance. The application form must contain the full itinerary, vessel details and port intentions (for example, passenger/crew exchange, shore excursions, and sail by/anchor only).

Superyachts approved for arrival at non-appointed ports will be subject to the operator/owners/masters or their agents meeting ABF and DAFF border clearance costs associated with attending non-appointed ports to clear the vessel and persons/goods.

Note: Superyachts operating under a coastal trading licence will potentially incur costs at all non-appointed ports visited during a voyage.

Further information can be obtained by reading the MTPC Air and Sea Approval Portal FAQs (87KB PDF) or by contacting the MTPC.

Reporting requirements for Superyachts

Superyachts (non-commercial) arriving in Australia through a non-appointed port remain subject to the impending arrival reporting requirements as outlined in Let us know you’re coming and information requirements as outlined in Yachts and pleasure craft.

Superyachts operating under a coastal trading licence are considered international commercial vessels and must also comply with the standard reporting and operating requirements for international commercial vessels under the Coastal Trading Act and customs legislation.

Immigration and Customs clearance options

The ABF determine the most efficient and effective method of clearance.

Current options include:

• on a wharf, at a dedicated or temporary facility, or
• en route, between the last port overseas and the first port of arrival in Australia.

To submit an en route clearance application,  seek approval through the MTPC via the ASAP, at least 6 months before the arrival and no more than 1 year in advance.

En route clearances require ABF officers to join the vessel prior to departure from the last overseas port. The agent or operator is responsible for all costs associated with the officer’s overseas travel including airfares, accommodation, meals and ground transport.

Overview

The information contained on this page applies to the non-commercial use of pleasure craft, motor sailors and motor cruisers. It provides an outline of the procedures and legal requirements which apply to the Master of these vessels arriving in and departing from Australia.

If you are in charge of any of the above mentioned craft, you are considered the Master of the craft, even if you are not its owner and the owner is on board.

Whether you are a returning resident, migrating to Australia or a visitor, you need to comply with entry requirements. You can help speed this up if you follow these simple steps:

1. Make sure each person on board has a valid visa and passport.
2. You are required by law to notify the Department of Home Affairs before you arrive. Let us know you are coming
3. Clearly display the International Pratique Q-flag and travel directly to an appointed boarding station.
4. Complete the Small Arrival Report form and Incoming Passenger Card (available from the ABF on arrival).

Australia has strict laws to protect its citizens and natural environment. Penalties may be imposed if you breach those laws by illegally importing:

• drugs
• animal or plant material
• firearms, weapons or ammunition
• protected wildlife and products made from them
• some food items
• some medicinal products including Performance Enhancing Drugs.

Arrival

When you arrive in Australia, you must first call at a port of entry where the Australian Border Force and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Biosecurity) checks can be completed.

When entering Australian waters you must clearly display the International Pratique Q-flag (yellow). You must also travel directly to an appointed boarding station.

Berthing

Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry clearance must be completed before you go ashore.

It is an offence to go ashore without prior clearance. Contact with other vessels or sea craft in port prior to clearance is also prohibited.

• Stay on board. No persons other than a Biosecurity or Border Force officer is allowed to board your craft, nor can any person, animal or article leave the craft until you have been given full clearance.
• Depending on your arrival time, you may be required to remain on board overnight before being cleared the following day.
• Don’t throw any waste or foodstuffs overboard while you’re in Australian waters or while you are moored. Use designated biosecurity disposal points.
• Keep all food and animals secure until your craft has been inspected by Biosecurity officers.
• Don’t trade foodstuffs with other overseas vessels.
• Keep your craft free of insects.

Documents required on arrival

• All people on board will be required to produce travel documents such as a valid passport, visa and completed Incoming Passenger Card.
• The Master will be required to complete a Small Craft Arrival Report.

Charges

The ABF does not levy any charge for clearance. However, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry operates on a full cost recovery basis.

Biosecurity

All vessels arriving in Australian territory from outside of Australia, including private non-commercial vessels (yachts), private superyachts, and cruises are subject to Australian biosecurity control.

To assist in preparing your vessel for your arrival and for the biosecurity inspection, download and read the 2-page starting on the Right Track checklist of biosecurity considerations and prepare before arrival in Australian territory.

You can find the checklist at non-commercial vessel arrival biosecurity reporting – yachts and private superyachts on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s website.

Alert officers to the presence of and confine animals on board. If you do not have a valid import permit for animal(s), they will be treated as illegally imported.

If you declare prohibited items, you may be given the option of re-exporting them. If you do not declare items of biosecurity concern, a substantial on-the-spot fine could be imposed or you could be prosecuted.

For further detailed information on Australia’s biosecurity regulations for yachts and pleasure craft arrival, visit non-commercial vessel arrival biosecurity reporting – yachts and private superyachts on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s website.

Sailing in Australian waters

When you arrive in Australia, there are a number of clearance options depending on when you intend to leave. If you intend to leave within twelve months, you may be granted a Control Permit, asked to provide a security for temporary importation or to formally import the craft.

All options provide access to Australian waters and lands.

Control Permits

A Control Permit will be issued to the Master of the craft if we are satisfied the craft is transiting Australia for non-commercial purposes. Control Permits may be issued for a period of 12 months, or the length of the Master’s visa, whichever is less. Extension of the permit may be granted on application, provided that you meet eligibility requirements and have an appropriate visa.

A person eligible to apply for a Control Permit must be a tourist or a temporary resident of Australia. Australian citizens are not eligible for a Control Permit unless they have overseas residency. Satisfactory evidence of overseas residency is required.

For a Control Permit to be issued, the craft must meet the following criteria:

• craft must have arrived from overseas and will be scheduled to depart for overseas
• craft must have arrived under its own power and not as cargo
• craft must be transiting Australia for non-commercial purposes i.e. is not engaged in the commercial carriage of cargo or passengers
• craft may be privately or corporately owned (however, a Control Permit is not granted where a craft is owned by a corporation and more than 50% of the owners of the corporation are Australian residents)
• craft must not be employed for any activities of a commercial nature (e.g. charter, hire or lease)
• craft, or parts of the craft, are not to be offered for sale, sold or otherwise disposed of.

However, the craft may remain in Australia for repair or refit.
Control Permits are not issued if the craft is owned or operated by an Australian resident unless exceptional circumstances apply.
If circumstances of the craft’s presence in Australia change, you are required to advise the Australian Border Force. Failure to do so can result in a Control Permit being revoked and the craft being deemed imported at which time payment of duty and tax will be required.

What if the Master wants to fly home and come back later?
This is possible but you must advise us and make arrangements for appropriate control over the craft.

Further information can be obtained from our office at your intended port of arrival.

Temporary importation of vessels
If your visa allows you to reside in Australia for a limited period you may be required to temporarily import a craft into Australia. Temporary importation without paying customs duty and tax is subject to:

• The vessel being exported within 12 months of arrival
• A security in cash or an appropriate bank guarantee being provided equal to the duty and tax that would otherwise be payable.

Return of security
If a cash security has been given and a cash refund is sought you must give us advance notice at the proposed port of departure before you leave.

Formal Importation
If you are an Australia citizen, permanent resident of Australia or migrating to Australia on a craft purchased outside Australia, importation of the craft is required. Customs duty and tax are payable on any craft imported into Australia upon its arrival.

Leaving Australia

Passenger Movement Charge

You may be required to pay a Passenger Movement Charge on departure. This charge is AUD60 per person. Children under 12 years of age are exempt.

Clearance

Australian Border Force clearance is required before you depart. This is available at any appointed port. You should contact us in advance to avoid unnecessary delay. It is an offence to depart without clearance.

Requirements for departure

• Valid travel documents for all persons on board
• When a small craft departs Australia for a place overseas, the vessel is exported and an export declaration is required. You should lodge the export declaration, and present the export declaration number (EDN) to the ABF, before requesting ABF clearance.

For further details on travel documents, visit travel documents

Registering craft – the Registrar of Ships

Masters of foreign craft not registered under the law of a foreign country must make a declaration about the nationality of their craft when leaving Australia.

All Australian vessels, including pleasure craft, irrespective of size or type, whether owned by an Australian citizen or an Australian company, must be registered before leaving Australia. State registration does not meet this requirement.

Unregistered craft will not receive Australian diplomatic protection while overseas.

You can do this by contacting the Registrar of Ships at Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Ship’s gear

Australian residents who are taking articles out of Australia which they already own, including yachting equipment, may require proof of prior ownership on return to avoid paying duty.

These goods should be listed for the Australian Border Force at your port of departure.

Embarking animals

Most countries require animals on board to have health certificates from their country of origin.

Australian residents are advised not to take their pets overseas because of biosecurity concerns and stringent requirements to return animals to Australia. However, if you wish to take an animal on your trip you should consult with the Government/s of your intended return for their biosecurity requirements.

For further detail visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Travel to Christmas, Cocos (Keeling) and Norfolk Islands

For immigration purposes craft travelling to or from Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands and the mainland of Australia are deemed to have not left Australia if their trip is within 30 days of departure from the mainland Australia or these islands. Persons on board these craft must ensure that their visa covers the entire period of their stay including travel time between the mainland of Australia and these islands.

Australian Border Force and Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry clearances are required on both arrival and departure.

Persons travelling to Norfolk Island are immigration cleared both on arrival and departure on mainland Australia and Norfolk Island. Therefore, they must have a multiple entry visa for return to mainland Australia.

Travel Advice

For travel advice on the overseas locations you may be visiting see Smartraveller.

For general advice on what you need to know see travelling by boat.