Travellers are reminded to keep biosecurity front of mind and not bring food, meat, fruit, or other risk items back to Australia, as international flights recommence.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said despite the impact of COVID-19 on passenger arrivals, between January 2020 and October 2021, more than 75,000 international travellers were intercepted with over 100,000 biosecurity risk items, with pork, fruit, spices and dirty footwear the most common items.
“Pork items can carry African swine fever, which is a huge threat for our pork industry and farmers. If we had an incursion, it has been estimated that it could cost us $2 billion.
“Fruit can carry diseases such as citrus canker, a serious disease that could ruin our fruit industry and impact on the safe, fresh Aussie fruit on our supermarket shelves.
“Plant cuttings can carry risks including Xylella fastidiosa, which could devastate our horticultural industries and cost our grape and wine industry $7.9 billion over 50 years.
“For those who do the wrong thing and do not declare risk items, the infringement notice is up from $420 to $2,664 and international visitors can have their visas cancelled for more serious offences.
“It is great that we can travel again, but we need everyone to buy-into biosecurity, make your trip one to remember for the right reasons and help us protect Australia from pests and diseases.”
To learn more about items that are a biosecurity risk and may not be permitted into Australia, visit
To learn more about why biosecurity is important, view the Australian biosecurity animation at
