The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued an Industry Advice Notice warning every airline operating to Australia that, from 12 December, only the latest authorised incoming-traveller announcement may be played on board. Any outdated audio or video breaches section 220 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 and could trigger enforcement action ranging from infringement notices to prosecution.
The compulsory announcement – a two-minute clip shown prior to landing – tells arriving passengers what food, plant and animal products must be declared or disposed of, and highlights Australia’s hefty on-the-spot fines for false declarations. DAFF says some carriers continued to rotate older versions back into service as aircraft returned from storage or changed routes, creating ‘messaging inconsistencies’ that undermine the country’s strict pest-control regime.
Airlines now have to audit their entire fleets, ensure the correct file is installed in in-flight entertainment systems, and brief crew and third-party contractors. Operators flying wet-lease aircraft or charter services are also covered.
![Canberra reminds airlines: use approved biosecurity passenger video or face penalties]()
For travellers and corporate mobility teams looking to stay ahead of such compliance requirements, VisaHQ's Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) provides up-to-date guidance on visas, biosecurity declarations and digital entry forms. The service can streamline pre-departure paperwork, send real-time alerts when regulations change and even consolidate group applications, minimising the risk of last-minute surprises at the gate.
The mandate dovetails with broader digitisation of the border, including electronic incoming-passenger cards and SmartGate expansion to all e-passport holders.
For corporate travel managers the notice is more than regulatory housekeeping. Non-compliance can delay aircraft clearance and cause knock-on schedule disruption – a growing risk as holiday peak traffic collides with tight slot availability at Sydney and Melbourne. Logistics teams moving perishables or time-sensitive samples on passenger services should factor in potential delays if an airline is found in breach.
Legal advisers note the Biosecurity Act allows the agriculture minister to direct carriers to take ‘remedial action’ at their own cost, adding financial exposure on top of fines. Organisations booking charters for major events or fly-in-fly-out operations are urged to obtain written confirmation from carriers that the authorised announcement is installed.
The compulsory announcement – a two-minute clip shown prior to landing – tells arriving passengers what food, plant and animal products must be declared or disposed of, and highlights Australia’s hefty on-the-spot fines for false declarations. DAFF says some carriers continued to rotate older versions back into service as aircraft returned from storage or changed routes, creating ‘messaging inconsistencies’ that undermine the country’s strict pest-control regime.
Airlines now have to audit their entire fleets, ensure the correct file is installed in in-flight entertainment systems, and brief crew and third-party contractors. Operators flying wet-lease aircraft or charter services are also covered.
For travellers and corporate mobility teams looking to stay ahead of such compliance requirements, VisaHQ's Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) provides up-to-date guidance on visas, biosecurity declarations and digital entry forms. The service can streamline pre-departure paperwork, send real-time alerts when regulations change and even consolidate group applications, minimising the risk of last-minute surprises at the gate.
The mandate dovetails with broader digitisation of the border, including electronic incoming-passenger cards and SmartGate expansion to all e-passport holders.
For corporate travel managers the notice is more than regulatory housekeeping. Non-compliance can delay aircraft clearance and cause knock-on schedule disruption – a growing risk as holiday peak traffic collides with tight slot availability at Sydney and Melbourne. Logistics teams moving perishables or time-sensitive samples on passenger services should factor in potential delays if an airline is found in breach.
Legal advisers note the Biosecurity Act allows the agriculture minister to direct carriers to take ‘remedial action’ at their own cost, adding financial exposure on top of fines. Organisations booking charters for major events or fly-in-fly-out operations are urged to obtain written confirmation from carriers that the authorised announcement is installed.
