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Frequently Asked Questions: Biosecurity Legislation

The formal consultation process on the draft legislation closed on 24 October 2012. All the submissions made as part of the initial phase of the consultation were considered and where appropriate amendments were made to the draft legislation.

The Biosecurity Bill 2012 and the Inspector-General of Biosecurity Bill were introduced into Parliament on 28 November 2012.

Answers to questions on the human biosecurity chapter of the Biosecurity Bill

PDF printable version of FAQs - Biosecurity Legislation (PDF 594 KB)

1. What is the role of the Department of Health and Ageing in the development of the new legislation?

The Department of Health and Ageing is responsible for drafting the human biosecurity chapter of the Biosecurity Bill.

The Minister for Health is co-administrator of the Biosecurity Bill.

2. What is the benefit of the new legislation?

The new legislation will replace the century-old Quarantine Act 1908 to make Australia’s biosecurity regime more responsive and streamlined. The new Act is a modern act that takes the realities of contemporary biosecurity into account and reflects the fundamentally changed environment in which we now work.

The new legislation recognises the need for international traffic and trade to pass through the border without unnecessary intervention. It will allow for a flexible approach to managing the threat of serious communicable diseases to human health by providing a range of options to respond where a risk is identified. It will take into account the rights of individuals when deciding what measures to take and ensure that interventions are proportionate to the risk posed.

3. Under the new legislation, what will happen to passengers arriving in Australia who are unwell?

Airlines and vessels are obliged to report ill passengers prior to arrival. However, it is the passenger’s responsibility to approach a Biosecurity Officer upon arrival in Australia and inform them if they are feeling unwell.

A Biosecurity Officer will ask the passenger a series of questions to determine if the passenger has signs or symptoms of a serious communicable disease. They will discuss the best course of action with the passenger to ensure he or she manages their health, and to protect the health of the passenger’s family, friends and community. Passengers may be taken to hospital for treatment if it is appropriate.

4. Under the new legislation, what will happen if there is another international outbreak of a disease like H1N1 Influenza?

As part of a co-ordinated approach with state and territory Governments, the Commonwealth Government will give directions and take actions to prevent entry, as well as manage the spread of, any serious communicable disease. This may lead to an increase in activity at Australia’s borders, including an increase in passenger screening that may involve requesting incoming passengers to complete a Health Declaration Card.

5. Under the new legislation, what are the Australian quarantine requirements for Yellow Fever?

Yellow Fever is a viral disease of short duration and varying severity that is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. The World Health Organization (WHO) closely monitors reports of yellow fever infection.

Travellers who are one year of age or older, and who have stayed overnight or longer in a yellow fever declared country six days prior to arriving in Australia must hold an international vaccination certificate.

Travellers who are required to possess a yellow fever vaccination certificate but who do not possess one will be permitted to enter Australia. However, they will be given information about seeking medical advice if they develop any signs or symptoms of yellow fever.

Further information

For further information please visit the DAFF Biosecurity Legislation website.