Tasmanian Biosecurity

Tasmanian Biosecurity

Tasmania has some of the world’s most stringent biosecurity requirements.

These are in place to protect the State’s environment and primary industries from introduced pests, weeds and diseases – from both overseas and the Australian mainland.

If you are participating in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and are bringing your boat from outside of Tasmania, or are travelling down from interstate by air or on the Spirit of Tasmania as a visitor, there are some very important biosecurity requirements you will need to meet.

Check your Bags:

If you intend to come ashore, check your vessel, storage, bags and possessions to make sure you’re not carrying any restricted or prohibited items, including fruit and vegetables, plant material, soil, seeds, honey and some seafood and animal products. 

You can find out more detailed information on what you can and can’t bring to Tasmania on the Biosecurity Tasmania website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/travellersguide  

If you are carrying any restricted or prohibited items with you, please be sure to appropriately dispose of those items when you arrive in Tasmania. 

Come in Clean: 

Ensure your vessel is clean and free from organic matter before arriving in Tasmania. 

Check and clean hulls, decks, deck equipment, bilge, holding tanks and wet wells.

Find out more about in-water biofouling cleaning for vessels arriving from interstate or overseas here.

Check, Clean and Dry your Equipment: 

  • Diving equipment including wetsuits, fins, masks, weight vests, hookah gear and other abalone harvesting equipment (catch bags, ab irons and knives etc). 
  • Fishing gear including rods, reels, waders, fish bins and catch bags and bait. 
  • Aquatic recreation gear including surf boards, kayaks, canoes, jet skis, biscuits and skis. 
  • Gum boots and wet weather pants etc.

Bringing your Dog or other Animals? Check the Rules: 

Tasmania has strict rules to ensure we remain free of hydatids disease and brown dog ticks, which can make our dogs – and even humans –​ sick.

If you’re bringing your dog to Tasmania, you must fill out a declaration to say that you have treated it for hydatids tape worm (tip: ensure the medication contains the active ingredient Praziquantel) and have checked its body recently for brown dog ticks. 

More information and the declaration form is available on the Biosecurity Tasmania website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/hydatid  

Bringing a different animal? Most other animals also have import requirements to enter Tasmania, so make sure that you check the Biosecurity Tasmania website before you travel.

​​​​​More Information:

​Website: Biosecurity Tasmania | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

Phone: (03) 6165 3777

Email: biosecurity.tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au