Tasmania is free from many animal-related pests and diseases present on mainland Australia and overseas due to our natural sea barrier. To help keep these pests and diseases out, we have very strict requirements on the importation of animals and animal products.
We all have a general biosecurity duty to protect our primary industries, environment and way of life from harmful pests, weeds and diseases. You can help by disposing of, or declaring restricted items when you arrive in Tasmania.
Birds (domestic)
Examples: Peafowl, fowl (chicken), goose, Chinese goose, pigeon, turkey, helmeted guineafowl, Japanese quail, mallard duck, mandarin duck, Muscovy duck, ostrich, budgerigars (budgies), cockatiels, canary, zebra finch.
IMPORTANT NOTE - Due to ongoing
outbreaks of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Victoria and NSW, all birds entering Tasmania must be declared to Biosecurity Tasmania. Birds from Control Areas or Restricted Areas must not be moved to Tasmania.
Allowed if: Classified as 'Domestic Stock' in the
Animal Biosecurity Manual, and both common and scientific names appear on the bird's transfer cage.
Not permitted entry: Fruit, bird seed or plant materials as feed or bedding.
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes
For further information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries:
Dogs
Permitted:
Domestic dog - must have proof of treatment with Praziquantel at a dose rate of 5mg/kg of body weight within 14 days before entry. This can be a statement or certificate from a Vet, or Statutory Declaration by the owner, or empty pill packet and proof of purchase with the date of treatment written on package.
Tasmanian dog returning within 14 Days - must have evidence that the dog has been out of Tasmania for no more than 14 days. This can be travel tickets (ship or airline) that clearly describe the dog or statutory declaration by owner.
Puppy 12 weeks and under - must have proof of age for the puppy.
All dogs including assistance dogs: Have been checked within the last 24 hours and found free from brown dog tick and is apparently healthy.
Not permitted entry: Dingoes, foxes, and wolves are prohibited.
Extra tip: All dogs must be microchipped from the age of 6 months unless they are a racing greyhound, hunting dog, working dog or have been seen by a vet and it is considered to be unsafe for the dog’s health or welfare.
For information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries:
Cats
Examples: Domestic cats
Allowed: There are no restrictions on importing cats into Tasmania. Please ensure your cat is in good health to travel and its vaccinations are up to date.
Extra tip: Under the
Cat Management Act 2009, domestic cats over the age of four months must be desexed and microchipped, and a
multiple cat permit is required to own more than four cats.
Declare the item? No
Inspection required? No
For further information on cat ownership:
Pets (other than dogs, cats or domestic birds)
Allowed: Emus, guinea pigs, ostriches, rabbits
IMPORTANT NOTE - Due to ongoing outbreaks of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Victoria and NSW, all birds entering Tasmania must be declared to Biosecurity Tasmania. Birds from Control Areas or Restricted Areas must not be moved to Tasmania.
Travel restrictions: No seed, fresh fruit or grains can be used as bedding or feed and brought into Tasmania.
Shredded newspaper is recommended as bedding – no plant material.
Extra tip: Emus are subject to a Wildlife Import Permit. Please contact
Wildlife.Services@nre.tas.gov.au to enquire about lodging an Application for a Wildlife Permit.
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes
For information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries:
Invertebrates (dead or alive)
Dead
Examples: Beetles, bugs, butterflies, moths and spiders.
Allowed if: They are transported in a soil free medium.
Alive
Examples: Beetles, bugs, butterflies, moths, spiders, aphids, worms and other invertebrates.
Allowed if: They are transported in a soil free medium and are on the list available in Animal Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (PDF 1Mb).
For information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries:
Bees
Due to the ongoing response to Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) in NSW, the Tasmanian Chief Plant Protection Officer has put in place a General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) to prevent the introduction of this honeybee parasite into Tasmania:
Further information:
For further information:
Please contact Senior Biosecurity Officer (Apiary Biosecurity) Julie Lupia
Mobile: 0467 805 968
Email: Julie.Lupia@nre.tas.gov.au
Animal carcass/parts/products
Examples: Carcases or parts of carcases from farm animals, poultry, birds, and game species killed in Australia, including tanned and untanned hides / skins, and raw carcases (excluding farmed fish and raw/untanned foxes).
Allowed if:
1.Upon arrival in Tasmania the animal matter must be free from contamination with soil, weed seeds, extraneous plant material, and insect infestation, AND
2. There must be a clear description of the contents (common and scientific names) on the outside of the packaging, AND
3. Contact details of both supplier and importer, AND
4. Purpose of importation must be stated, AND
5. It must be accompanied by a copy of any Government approvals issued for the removal of the animal/s from their place of origin and/or for their importation into Tasmania (if relevant).
6. Check with your freight / courier company for requirements that may apply to the type of packaging required to transport untreated / raw (e.g., frozen) animal carcases.
Extra tip: Dead animals, birds and game species (including foxes) that have been taxidermized are allowed unrestricted entry into Tasmania from other Australian States and Territories (excluding farmed fish).
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? On request
For information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries:
Fish and seafood (not for consumption)
Examples: Aquarium fish
Allowed if: The container is clearly labelled identifying the consignment as live fish or as a fish product, and includes both the common and scientific names of those species present.
Where a permit or declaration is required, a copy of that document should also be attached to the outside of the container.
The fish were bred in Australia or imported into Australia according to the requirements of the Australian Government (DAFF).
No fish in this consignment are listed as prohibited fish by the Chief Veterinary Officer (Tasmania), or as Controlled Fish under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, or as Noxious Fish under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995.
Any fish on the Restricted Fish List found in the
Animal Biosecurity Manual (PDF 1Mb). This includes salmon, trout, eel, hake, cod, perch, mullet, flounder, bream, flathead, herring, sea bass, grouper, sardines may be imported if it meets the requirements listed in the Animal Biosecurity Manual Section 3.3.14
Declare the item: Yes
Inspection required: Yes
For information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries:
Livestock/farm animals
Examples: Cattle, sheep, pigs.
Allowed if: All livestock have been inspected within 7 days prior to movement to Tasmania and be found free of disease.
Cattle
1. A completed Health Certificate, National Vendor Declaration and Animal Welfare Guidelines - Transport of Livestock Across Bass Strait Declaration must accompany the shipment.
2. The cattle must be identified with a compliant National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) identification device.
3. The cattle must not be known or suspected of being infected with, or exposed to, an
Exotic Animal Disease or
Endemic Animal Disease (other than Johne's Disease) within 42 days prior to movement to Tasmania commencing.
4. The herd of origin must not be subject to any animal movement restrictions, other than restrictions for Bovine Johne's Disease.
5. Cattle that are infected or suspected of being infected with Johne’s disease may be introduced into Tasmania providing the purchaser or recipient has been advised that the cattle are infected or suspected of being infected with Johne’s Disease.
6. The owner or person in charge of the animals in the exporting State or Territory must certify within 7 days prior to movement to Tasmania that, to the best of their knowledge, all the above conditions have been met.
7. A Stock Inspector or Government Veterinary Officer in the state of origin must certify that after due enquiry, they have no reason to doubt the above 'owner declaration'.
Note: The importer must transfer NLIS numbers of these cattle on the NLIS database within seven (7) days of arrival in Tasmania.
Application to the Chief Veterinary Officer for an Individual Permit to import cattle into Tasmania may be made for cattle not meeting the above requirements. Details about making an application for Individual Permit are provided in the section General notes about importation of animals and animal products in the
Animal Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (PDF 1Mb).
Sheep
Sheep (including from Flinders Island)
Breeding or store sheep consigned to Tasmania (including Flinders Island)
The following conditions apply for the importation of breeding or store sheep into Tasmania (including Flinders Island):
1. The sheep must be inspected by the owner or person in charge within 7 days prior to movement to Tasmania and be found free of signs of disease. The flock of origin must not be under any regulatory control due to any disease or condition other than Ovine Johne's Disease (OJD).
2. Ovine Brucellosis, or any other disease notifiable in Tasmania, must not be present or suspected in the flock of origin.
4. A person authorised by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the exporting state or territory must certify within 7 days of export that to the best of their knowledge, all the above conditions have been met.
5. All certification must be presented to an Authorised Officer when the animals arrive in Tasmania.
6. Sheep that are infected, or suspected of being infected, with Ovine Johne's Disease may be imported provided that all other conditions have been met. The purchaser or recipient must be advised of the Ovine Johne's Disease status of the sheep if Ovine Johne's Disease is suspected or confirmed in the flock of origin.
7. The sheep must be free of all types of ticks including cattle tick.
8. A Shearing Exemption is required for sheep with more than 25 mm wool.
Sheep for slaughter
2. The owner/person in charge must declare that the sheep are consigned for immediate slaughter at a specified abattoir.
3. The sheep must be held at the specified abattoir and slaughtered within 7 days of arriving in Tasmania.
Sheep returning to Tasmania
Sheep of Tasmanian origin that are returning to Tasmania after attending sales or exhibition at shows require an Individual Permit to be issued for their return to the state. The importer must ensure the conditions of entry detailed in the permit are met and that a copy of the permit accompanies the sheep on arrival back into Tasmania.
Details about making an application for Individual Permit are provided in the section General notes about importation of animals and animal products of the
Tasmanian Animal Biosecurity Manual (PDF 1 Mb).
Pigs
Pigs known to be in their final trimester of pregnancy, or showing signs of advanced pregnancy, should not be transported. Animal welfare requirements for the transport of livestock across Bass Strait are outlined in the following Animal Welfare Guidelines.
Store and breeding pigs from northern Australia
The following conditions apply to pigs from Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia north of the Tropic of Capricorn:
2. The herd of origin must not be under any animal movement restrictions.
4. The pigs must be:
a. from a herd accredited as free from Brucella suis according to a scheme approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the exporting state or Territory, OR
b. from a herd in which all boars and breeding sows have been tested negative for Brucella suis by the Complement Fixation Test or Rose Bengal Test with negative results within 30 days of departure for Tasmania, OR
c. tested for Brucella suis by the Complement Fixation Test or Rose Bengal Test with negative results within 30 days of departure for Tasmania
5. A person authorised by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the exporting State or Territory must certify within 7 days of export that to the best of their knowledge, all the above conditions have been met.
The following conditions apply to store and breeding pigs which have never been in Queensland, Northern Territory or Western Australia north of the Tropic of Capricorn:
2. The pigs must have never been in Queensland, Northern Territory, or Western Australia north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
3. The herd of origin must not be under any animal movement restrictions.
Pigs for slaughter
2. The owner/person in charge of the pigs must declare that they are consigned for immediate slaughter at a specified abattoir.
3. The pigs must be held at the specified abattoir and slaughtered within 7 days of arriving in Tasmania.
Racing and performing pigs
Importers of racing and performing pigs are required to hold a valid Individual Permit which specifies the conditions of entry to Tasmania. This is a requirement even if the animals are only temporarily visiting the state.
Details about making an application for Individual Permit are provided in the 'General notes about importation of animals and animal products' section of the Animal Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (PDF 1Mb).
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection? Yes
For information on conditions and restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries:
Wildlife animals
Examples: Invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals such as koalas, mice and rats.
IMPORTANT NOTE - Due to ongoing outbreaks of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Victoria and NSW, all birds entering Tasmania must be declared to Biosecurity Tasmania. Birds from Control Areas or Restricted Areas must not be moved to Tasmania.
Declared the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes
For Further Information on restrictions:
For further information and import enquiries: