If you intend on importing something into Tasmania, you have an important role to play in helping to protect your property/business, the broader industry and the state from the impact of pests, weeds and diseases.
Listed below are some biosecurity actions you can take to meet your general biosecurity duty (GBD) and to help keep your business - and Tasmania - biosecurity safe.
Important Biosecurity Actions
Biosecurity vigilance (also known as Notification of a Biosecurity Event)
If you SEE something on, or in your imported items that is unusual or of biosecurity concern, such as potential exotic plant/animal pests, weeds or diseases, or invasive animal species;
SECURE the site by restricting access (and limiting movement in the case of suspected animal diseases) AND take a photo, noting the location; and then
REPORT it to Biosecurity Tasmania as soon as possible - see reporting details below.
Please note: Taking your own samples may increase the risk of spreading the biosecurity risk so Biosecurity Tasmania will provide further instruction regarding possible sample collection and submission.
Importing items into Tasmania
Check the biosecurity requirements before you import any items. You can do this via the Biosecurity Tasmania website, or by contacting Biosecurity Tasmania directly. If you are importing plants or plant products, you should consult the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania first. Also check the Importing Plants webpage. Also, if you are importing animals please check the Importing Animals webpage.
Ensure that imports are accompanied by any required certificates, permits or other documentation, that labelling is accurate and that you notify Biosecurity Tasmania of the import at least 24hrs prior to arrival where required.
If you are importing plants or animals, or derived products that pose a biosecurity risk, through the mail or via courier/transport company, the packaging/load must be clearly marked ‘for Biosecurity Tasmania attention’ and the consignment must be accompanied with any required certificates, permits or other documentation.
Take all reasonable and practicable measures to ensure that any items you import are clean and free of soil, seeds, plant material or pests prior to arrival. All plants and many of their products must be presented to Biosecurity Tasmania at a Registered Quarantine Place (AQP). It is the responsibility of the importer to determine an appropriate AQP and make a booking for inspection with Biosecurity Tasmania once the AQP has confirmed they will accept the consignment.
If you are importing seeds in consignments under 1kg as per Import Requirement 36 in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania, ensure that they are sourced from an approved supplier or consider applying to become a registered importer if you plan on importing seeds on a regular basis.
If you are importing live freshwater fish, please ensure the species of fish you intend to import are on the Inland Fisheries Service Permissible Imports List - Freshwater Aquarium Fish. Persons who are not registered as as a Fish Dealer with Inland Fisheries may not import freshwater fish into Tasmania without an appropriate permit issued by the Director of Inland Fisheries.
Contact and reporting
Contact Biosecurity Tasmania for general information or to report a suspected pest, weed or disease:
Phone: (03) 6165 3777
Email: Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au
Alternatively, for reporting pests, weeds or diseases, you can call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881) or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 858).
Stay up to date on Biosecurity in Tasmania
Subscribing to get Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories is the best way you can keep yourself up-to-date and fully informed about Tasmanian biosecurity issues. Our Advisories cover topics such as changes or proposed changes to Tasmania’s import regulations, animal health and welfare, plant health, forthcoming regulation reviews and opportunities for public comment, new or emerging pest/disease risks and a range of other matters related to Tasmania’s biosecurity.
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Please note that this information contains minimum recommendations only. The GBD requires a person dealing with biosecurity matter or a carrier to take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk associated with the dealing. Such measures may not be specified in any regulations, guidelines or other official publications.