So finally the big day has come and you’re all alone in the airplane on your way to Australia. You may have mixed feelings: tired from all the stress brought upon you by packing and leaving family and friends. But you will probably also feel excited and relieved that you can finally begin that great study adventure down under. Luckily you have not forgotten that upon arrival in Australia, you will have to show:

Some airlines distribute Passenger Cards before landing in Australia or you can get one before going through the passport check gate at the airport. You must fill in both sides of the card and If unsure about what to answer, it is better to check with the staff and see if they have a Passenger Card in your language. See: Passenger Card.

 

To protect the country’s agriculture and natural environment, Australia is cautious about letting potentially dangerous items into their country, and those `items` include insects that may have travelled with you on the plane. (Information for sea travellers).

 

Australia is very serious about keeping animal and plant diseases outside their borders. To protect Australia’s unique natural environment – with plants and animals found nowhere else in the world – as well as the $22 billion agricultural industry, quarantine laws are tough. So if you arrive in Australia and `forget` to declare so called `quarantine risk items`, you may face an on-the-spot fine of up to $220. And remember this could happen as a result of failing to declare something as small as an apple or orange!

 

You will have your luggage screened in more ways than just the electronic scans. If a small dog runs towards you and starts sniffing your bag, it may feel like a very warm welcome. However it also could be too late to realise that you forgot that dry fruit you should have declared. The `sniffing dog` can smell quarantine items and drugs all the way from the other side of the room. And Australian custom officers are similar to custom officers all over the world: they look tough and do not joke about their work!

 

 

For more important information on what you can and cannot bring into Australia simply visit:  www.aqis.gov.au. And before packing, we recommend checking the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website to see items to declare

Same regulation applies to sending items by mail from outside of Australia. See: What can’t be mailed

Remember: when in doubt ALWAYS declare

 

·        Dairy, eggs and egg products

·        Live animals

·        Meat and meat products

·        Seeds and nuts 

·        Fresh fruit and vegetables 

·        Live plants 

·        Handicrafts and souvenirs that contain or are made from seeds 

·        Biological materials

·        Deer horn/velvet, edible birds nest packaged products

·        Soil and sand

 

·        Seeds and nuts

·        Plant products

·        Food

·        Teas, coffees, and milk based drinks

·        Bamboo, cane or rattan basket ware and mats - including coconut carvings, cane baskets

·        Wooden articles

·        Fresh flowers and dried flower arrangements, pine cones and potpourri

·        Shells or coral in any form

·        Feathers, bones, horns and tusks

·        Stuffed animals

·        Wool (unprocessed) and animal hair

·        Animal equipment (used)

·        Sporting and camping equipment

·        Bee products