Human ashes
Human ashes are not a biosecurity risk. But the container you use to store them needs to meet some requirements.
To find out more about bringing human ashes into Australia, see human health.
Human remains for burial or cremation
You can import human remains into Australia for burial or cremation. They can be a biosecurity risk, so some requirements apply. We recommend you consult a funeral director or a customs broker to help you with the process.
An official document must accompany the human remains. This can be either:
- an copy of an official certificate that states the cause of death
- an extract from an entry in an official register that states the cause of death
- an copy of an official embalming certificate (if this applies)
- a certificate from a medical practitioner that states either:
- the body or body part has (or had before death) signs or symptoms of a listed human disease and the name of that disease
- the body or body part does not have (or did not have before death) signs or symptoms of a listed human disease.
If the document is not in English, also provide a certified translated copy.
To find out more about the import process, see human health.
If you cannot provide an official document, you will need permission from one of our human biosecurity officers to bring the remains into Australia. To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
Remains of a person infected with COVID-19
If the deceased person had COVID-19, cremating their remains before bringing them to Australia is preferred, but not required.
If you want to import the non-cremated remains of a person infected with COVID-19:
- the requirements and process for importing are the same as for other remains
- a human biosecurity officer will be informed when the remains arrive in Australia. They may give extra direction about how to transport and handle the remains.
Funeral homes can refer to our advice for funeral directors (COVID-19).
Human remains for teaching, scientific or research purposes
To bring in human remains for teaching, scientific or research purposes, you must:
- tell the Agriculture office in the city of entry at least 48 hours before the remains arrive
- provide a written declaration at the airport to get clearance
- follow normal import processes – see the commercial acquisitions section on the importing human remains or ashes page.
Written declaration
The declaration must state that the body or body part has been donated for scientific or research purposes. It must also state one of the following:
- You are aware that the body or body part has (or had before death) signs or symptoms of a listed human disease and the name of that disease.
- As far as you are aware, the body or body part does not have (or did not have before death) any signs or symptoms of a listed human disease.
Find out what diseases are listed human diseases.
If you cannot provide a written declaration, you will need permission from one of our human biosecurity officers to bring the remains into Australia. To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
What we recommend during the COVID-19 pandemic
We recommend you confirm with your supplier that the remains are free from COVID-19. Only proceed if suitable COVID-19 screening and testing occurs, especially in countries where there is widespread community transmission.
Also see our COVID-19 guidance for using human remains for teaching, scientific and research purposes.
Human remains for other purposes
Some Indigenous human remains may be movable cultural heritage. Find out about importing cultural heritage objects into Australia on the Arts website.
If you are bringing in human remains for other purposes not mentioned above (such as for display or as curios), you must:
- ask for permission from one of our human biosecurity officers
- tell the Agriculture office in the city of entry at least 48 hours before the remains arrive
- follow normal import processes – see the commercial acquisitions section on the importing human remains or ashes page.
To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
Hair, teeth or bones of a deceased human body
To bring in the hair, teeth or bones of a deceased human body, they must:
- be clean
- have no tissue, blood or poo on them.
If they do not meet these requirements, you will need the permission of a human biosecurity officer. To ask for permission or find out more, email our human remains team.
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