Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
Figure 1 Photo showing two tug boats towing an offshore installation
Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
Disclaimer
The requirements in this document are subject to change and it is the responsibility of the user to check
that they have the latest version and to ensure compliance with the legislation. See
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/offshore for the latest version.
The requirements contained in this document are those of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection
Service only and do not include the requirements of any other Australian Government agency.
Links to other websites are provided for the user's convenience and do not constitute endorsement of all
material at those sites, or any associated organisations, products or services.
If you use automatic language translation services in connection with this document, you do so at your
own risk.
AQIS may revise this Disclaimer at any time by updating this document.
In addition please refer to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF)1 general Disclaimer.
Version Control
Version
Author
Date
1.0
Seaports Program
1 September 2011
An initiative of the AQIS Seaports Program GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601
1
http://www.daff.gov.au/about/disclaimer
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
Contents
Disclaimer ......................................................................................................................................................2
Contents ........................................................................................................................................................3
2
GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................................................5
3
PURPOSE ...............................................................................................................................................7
4
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................................7
5
VESSEL REPORTING ...............................................................................................................................9
5.1
International Vessels .....................................................................................................................9
5.1.1
Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report ..............................................................................................9
5.1.2
Ballast Water Management Summary ................................................................................10
5.2
International Aircraft ...................................................................................................................11
5.2.1
Pre-Arrival Report ................................................................................................................11
5.2.2
Disinsection Requirements ..................................................................................................12
5.3
Additional Reporting Requirements for Vessels and Aircraft Arriving At Non-Proclaimed Places .
.....................................................................................................................................................12
5.3.1
Vessels .................................................................................................................................12
5.3.2
Aircraft .................................................................................................................................12
5.3.3
Goods (Cargo) ......................................................................................................................13
5.4
Vessels exempt from pre-arrival reporting .................................................................................13
5.4.1
6
7
When to notify AQIS ............................................................................................................13
VESSEL MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................................14
6.1
Biofouling management ..............................................................................................................14
6.2
Waste management ....................................................................................................................15
6.3
Cargo management .....................................................................................................................15
6.4
Surveillance .................................................................................................................................16
AQIS DIRECTIONS ................................................................................................................................16
7.1
Approval to Berth ........................................................................................................................16
7.2
Certificate of pratique .................................................................................................................16
7.2.1
Vessels .................................................................................................................................16
7.2.2
Aircraft .................................................................................................................................16
8
CREW CHANGES AND CREW TRANSFERS ...........................................................................................17
9
RELEASE FROM QUARANTINE ............................................................................................................17
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
9.1
Maintaining Australian quarantine status ...................................................................................18
9.2
Activities which will not result in a change in quarantine status ................................................18
10
FURTHER INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................18
11
CONTACT DETAILS ..............................................................................................................................18
12
ATTACHMENT 1 ..................................................................................................................................20
12.1
Stripping of a Vessel to Australian Coastal Status .......................................................................20
12.1.1
QRM includes, but is not limited to: ....................................................................................20
12.1.2
Foodstuffs to be disposed of will include, but is not limited to: .........................................20
12.1.3
AQIS requires from the master the following information and cooperation: ....................21
12.1.4
AQIS requires the agent to arrange the following if coastal status is required: .................21
12.1.5
Stripping of a vessel .............................................................................................................23
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
1 GLOSSARY
Term
Definition
Aircraft
A machine or device such as airplane or helicopter that is capable of
atmospheric flight.
Approval to Berth (ATB)
Approval of QO under paragraph 26A(b) of the Act to bring the vessel to a
place specified in the approval. The proforma document included as
Attachment 2 to this document is generated from VMS and is used to give
directions to the Master under section 78A of the Act.
Australian place
Includes:
-
Anywhere that is considered a part of a State or mainland Territory of
Australia
-
Ashmore and Cartier Islands Territory
-
Indian Ocean Territories
-
Anchorage within the Australian territorial sea
-
Australian resources installations
-
Australian sea installations
Australian seabed
Seabed where the Quarantine Act 1908 applies to installations that intend to
attach.
Australian resources
installation
A resources installation that has been installed or attached, had pratique
granted, and has been released from quarantine. It is an installation that is
deemed to be part of Australia.
Australian sea installation
A sea installation that has been installed or attached, had pratique granted,
and has been released from quarantine. It is an installation that is deemed to
be part of Australia.
Australian waters
means:
-
(a) in relation to a resources installation—waters above the Australian
seabed
-
(b) in relation to a sea installation—waters comprising all of the adjacent
areas and the coastal area.
Ballast Water Summary
Sheet
Document used to record ballast water volumes, exchange details and
empty tank residual sounding for international vessels. The completed
record needs to be sent to AQIS as part of the vessel’s quarantine prearrival information.
Coastal Status (stripping
to)
Vessels that have been granted coastal status are able to visit other
Australian ports without further regulation from AQIS. Once a vessel leaves
Australian waters or exchanges goods or persons with an international
status vessel, it loses its coastal status and is again treated as an
international vessel.
Floatel
Floating accommodation vessel. This is considered a ‘sea installation’.
Floating Production,
Storage and Offtake
Is a type of floating tank system used by the offshore oil and gas industry
and designed to take all of the oil or gas produced from nearby platforms or
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
(FPSO) facility
templates, process it, and store it until the oil or gas can be offloaded onto a
tanker or transported through a pipeline. Usually takes the form of a heavily
modified tanker.
Floating Storage and
Offloading (FSO) facility
Is a floating storage device, without the facilities for oil or gas processing.
Stores oil or gas until it can be offloaded onto a tanker. Usually is an out-ofservice tanker.
Jack-up platform
A platform that can be jacked-up above the sea using legs that can be
lowered. They are designed to be moved from place to place.
Mobile Offshore Drilling
Unit (MODU)
Includes:
-
jack-up platforms; and
-
semi-submersible platforms
These rigs are generally used for exploratory drilling.
MNCC
Pratique
Maritime National Co-Ordination Center – Point of contact for shipping
agents for activities relating to vessels 25 meters or greater.
Pratique is the permission granted by AQIS for a vessel or aircraft arriving in
Australia to disembark passengers or crew after determining it is free from
any illness, death, biological material or vectors of quarantine concern,
(noting that the vessel or aircraft itself, cargo and some persons or goods
may remain under Quarantine control).
Proclaimed place
A place or port that is listed in the Quarantine Proclamation 1998 as a first
port of arrival for international vessels.
Quarantine Pre Arrival
Report for Vessels
(Pratique) (QPAR)
A document used by AQIS to assist with initial risk assessment of vessels.
Submitted by a shipping agent or master 96 to 12 hours prior to a vessel’s
arrival.
Release from Quarantine
Complete quarantine clearance of a vessel or installation. Includes the
removal of all quarantine risk material and disinfection of contaminated
surfaces.
Semi-submersible platform
A platform that has hulls (columns and pontoons) of sufficient buoyancy to
allow the structure to float, but of weight sufficient to keep the structure
upright. They are designed to be moved from place to place.
Ship Sanitation Certificate
(SSC)
Certification required under International Health Regulations for international
vessels. The SSC regime is aimed at controlling the international spread of
human diseases by controlling any vectors of disease that could potentially
be carried on a ship.
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
2 PURPOSE
This document provides the offshore oil and gas industry with guidance on Australian quarantine
management requirements for vessels, equipment and infrastructure entering Australian waters;
including vessels servicing these activities.
These guidelines apply to the following vessel types:
 Seismic survey/research vessels
 International mobile offshore facilities
o Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU), including jack-up and semi-submersible
drill rigs
o Floating Production Storage Offtake (FPSO) facilities
o Floating Storage Offtake (FSO) facilities
o Floating Accommodation Support Vessels (ASV)
 International offtake or shuttle tankers
 International vessels delivering cargo
 Offshore support vessels
o Platform Supply Vessels (PSV)
o Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels (AHTSV)
 International aircraft arriving at an Australian place (or resources installation),
 Australian aircraft returning from resource installations
 Australian vessels returning from resource installations
This document should be read in conjunction with the AQIS Operator guidelines for vessels 25
meters and greater arriving in Australia and the AQIS Guidelines for Airline and Aircraft
Operators Arriving in Australia.
3 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is part of the Australian Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Australia is free from a number of biological threats, such as foot and mouth disease, that have
had major economic and environmental consequences for other countries. AQIS manages
quarantine controls at our borders to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the
country. AQIS also provides import and export inspection and certification to help maintain
Australia's highly favorable animal, plant and human health status and access to overseas
export markets.
AQIS administers human quarantine functions on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing
(DoHA), including the screening of arriving passengers for human quarantinable diseases,
surveillance activities relating to Ship Sanitation Certification (SSC) and vector monitoring.
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
The principal Commonwealth legislation regulating quarantine is the Quarantine Act 1908 (the
Act). The Act has broad coverage over matters of biosecurity concern in Australia and provides
for certain matters to be dealt with by subordinate legislation (that is, proclamations, regulations
and determinations). Of particular relevance to these guidelines are the:
 Quarantine Regulations 2000
 Quarantine Proclamation 1998 and
 Quarantine Service Fees Determination 2005.
International vessels, aircraft, persons, goods and cargo arriving at installations including those
working within Australian waters present possible pathways for exotic pests and diseases to
enter Australia. All vessels, persons and goods arriving at an Australian place from overseas are
subject to quarantine requirements to ensure they comply with international health regulations
and any biosecurity risks are managed.

All vessels, aircraft and installations that arrive in Australia from overseas are subject to
quarantine requirements until they are ‘released from quarantine’2.

Any person that has been onboard an international vessel, aircraft or installation is
subject to quarantine and will remain so until they are ‘released from quarantine’3.

All goods which are onboard, or have been onboard, an international vessel, aircraft or
installation are subject to quarantine and will remain so until they are ‘released from
quarantine’4.

An international vessel or aircraft is to enter Australia only at a declared first port of entry
unless permission is received from AQIS. The master of an international vessel is guilty
of an offence if he/she permits the vessel to moor, anchor or otherwise be secured in
waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea of Australia, other than
at a declared first port5.

Once an installation is attached to the Australian seabed and has been ‘released from
quarantine’ it is considered to be part of Australia6.

Any goods that arrive at an Australian installation from a place outside of Australia are
deemed to be ‘imported’7.
For the purpose of these guidelines all vessels aircraft, installations, persons and goods
that remain subject to quarantine will be referred to as ‘international’. When released
from quarantine they are referred to as ‘Australian’.
2
S17 of the Quarantine Act 1908, http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/quarantine/legislation
3
S18 of the Quarantine Act 1908, http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/quarantine/legislation
4
S18 of the Quarantine Act 1908, http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/quarantine/legislation
5
S20 of the Quarantine Act 1908, http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/quarantine/legislation
6
S16AA and s16AAA of the Quarantine Act 1908, http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/quarantine/legislation
7
S16AB of the Quarantine Act 1908, http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/quarantine/legislation
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
Every vessel (including those normally based in Australia) that visits an overseas
place; or interacts with an international vessel, installation, persons or goods is subject
to quarantine. In practical terms they will be treated as an international vessel until
AQIS is confident that they pose an acceptable level of biosecurity risk.
The fact that vessels, installations, persons and goods are subject to quarantine means that a
quarantine officer has certain powers regarding those things. Quarantine officers are
responsible for assessing and managing the biosecurity risk presented by them. In order to
assess the biosecurity risk, quarantine officers may use powers under the Act to gather further
information. Based on this information, a quarantine officer must decide whether the item poses
an unacceptably high level of biosecurity risk.
If this is the case, the vessel, installation, person or goods may be ordered into quarantine and
directed for further action to limit the biosecurity risk.
Fees 8may be applicable to a number of actions that are undertaken by quarantine officers.
Refer to the Quarantine Service Fees Determination 2005* for details.
4
VESSEL REPORTING
4.1 International Vessels
All international vessels arriving at Australian places (including installations that have been
released from quarantine) must meet the following pre-arrival reporting requirements.
A person is guilty of an offence if they knowingly (or negligently) give false or misleading
information9.
4.1.1 Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report
Masters of vessels are required to report prescribed information on the Quarantine Pre-Arrival
Report10 (QPAR) to the MNCC, 96–12 hours prior to the estimated time of arrival at an
Australian port or place11.
The QPAR provides important information to AQIS so that a biosecurity risk assessment of the
vessel can be conducted prior to arrival. If the information changes, after it is given, an update of
the changes must be provided again as soon as possible.
Prescribed information12 that a master of a vessel must answer includes:
 vessel particulars such as name, identifiers, agent and voyage-related details
 health questions highlighting illness and/or death of persons on board the vessel
8
Information regarding Seaports fees and charges can also be found at
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/fees-charges
9
S27A of the Quarantine Act 1908.
10
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/vessel-clearance/vessels
11
S27A of the Quarantine Act 1908.
12
Reg10 of the Quarantine Regulations 2000.
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide






whether or not the vessel has a valid Ship Sanitation Certificate (SSC)
proposed crew and passenger movements
details of animals onboard
ballast water management information
pest and disease information (e.g. presence of Asian gypsy moth, bees)
previous cargoes of grain, meal or livestock.
The master of a vessel is required to immediately notify an AQIS officer if a prescribed symptom
presents or a prescribed or infectious disease breaks out onboard. The obligation also applies if
the master suspects that a quarantinable disease has broken out or a quarantinable pest is
onboard.
Further information about prescribed symptoms is available in Reporting an Illness or Death:
Important Quarantine Information for Crew of International Ships and Aircraft13.
4.1.2 Ballast Water Management Summary
Part of AQIS's charter is to ensure that foreign ballast water has been managed in accordance
with the Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements before permitting its discharge
inside Australia's territorial sea (12 nautical mile limit applies).
All international vessels arriving at Australian places must meet Australia’s Ballast Water
Management Requirements. Any ballast water that has been exchanged at sea, by an approved
method, is deemed to be acceptable for discharge in Australian ports/waters. These
requirements are consistent with internationally accepted standards.
Masters of vessels are required to submit a Ballast Water Summary Sheet14 at the same time as
submission of the QPAR to the MNCC.
International vessels entering an Australian installation exclusion zone should also apply the
principles of ballast water management that are contained in the Australian Ballast Water
Management Requirements by completing an AQIS Ballast Water Management Summary and
sending it to the Australian installation operator.
Vessels must retain all ballast water records in the AQIS Ballast Water Management Summary
Sheet and any relevant vessel logbooks, and make these available to a quarantine officer on
request.
Australia’s Ballast Water Management Requirements are consistent with the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast
Water and Sediments (2004) (the BWM Convention).
Australia is currently developing a set of requirements to give effect to the BWM Convention.
Once the Convention enters into force a range of new requirements relating to ballast water
treatment standards, onboard documentation and survey and certification will be enacted.
Further information on the Ballast Water Management Convention can be found at the IMO
website.
13
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-quarantine-factsheet
14
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/ballast/requirements/summary-sheet
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
Safety of vessels and crews is of paramount importance. Vessels undertaking ballast water
management to comply with Australian requirements should do so in accordance with the
Mariners' Guide to Ballast Regulations in Australia.15
Masters should be aware that some Australian states and territories have additional vessel
reporting and ballast water requirements.
4.2 International Aircraft
Any Australian aircraft that interacts with an international vessel/installation will result in the
Australian aircraft (and all persons and goods onboard) becoming subject to quarantine.
All international aircraft arriving at Australian places (including installations that have been
released from quarantine) must meet the following pre-arrival reporting requirements16.
A person is guilty of an offence if they knowingly (or negligently) give false or misleading
information17.
4.2.1 Pre-Arrival Report
Commanders of aircraft are required to report prescribed information before landing. This
means, as close to top of descent as is operationally practicable, but no less than 30 minutes
before the aircraft is brought to a complete stand still. A commander may issue the report by
radio communication or telecommunication.
Prescribed information includes18:
 for non-scheduled flights, the identity of the aircraft, port of arrival and estimated time of
arrival
 where any person onboard the aircraft has died during the flight or is found to be
suffering from an illness
 where any person onboard the aircraft presented with a prescribed symptom during the
flight
 where any live animals are onboard the aircraft
 where any animal has died onboard the aircraft during the flight, or
 where the arrangements for disinsection of the aircraft have not been undertaken in
accordance with AQIS requirements.
In the event that any of the above has occurred, a Commander of an aircraft must ensure that
the ground handling agent or Air Controller contacts AQIS prior to the aircraft's arrival. A
Commander of an aircraft must also report any changes to the above information.
Further information about prescribed symptoms is available in Reporting an Illness or Death:
Important Quarantine Information for Crew of International Ships and Aircraft .19.
15
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/ballast
16
S27B of the Quarantine Act 1908.
17
S27B of the Quarantine Act 1908.
18
Reg 12 of the Quarantine Regulations 2000.
19
http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/111988/reportinganillness.pdf
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4.2.2 Disinsection Requirements
All international aircraft intending to arrive into Australia must meet disinsection requirements as
set out in the AQIS/Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Biosecurity New Zealand Schedule of
Aircraft Disinsection Procedures. 20Where these requirements are not met, AQIS will meet the
aircraft on arrival to supervise the disinsection process. A fee for service may apply.
Further information about prescribed symptoms is available in Reporting an Illness or Death:
Important Quarantine Information for Crew of International Ships and Aircraft 21.
4.3 Additional Reporting Requirements for Vessels and Aircraft Arriving At
Non-Proclaimed Places
While Australian installations are considered an Australian place they are not proclaimed as a
first port of entry22. No international vessel or aircraft may arrive or unload goods at these nonproclaimed places, without prior approval.
4.3.1 Vessels
Masters of international vessels intending to arrive at an Australian installation as a first port of
call must submit an Application for Permission to Enter an Australian Non-Proclaimed First Port
of Entry and/or Subsequent Port of Call 23(via their Australian shipping agent). Applications must
be submitted to AQIS no less than 10 working days prior to arrival in Australia.
Any Australian vessel returning from an international installation to an Australian non-proclaimed
port will also need to seek permission.
In instances where international vessels intend to visit an Australian installation as a
subsequent port of call, the master (via their agent) must also submit an application for
Permission to Enter an Australian Non-Proclaimed First Port of Entry and/or Subsequent Port of
Call.
In instances where international vessels depart an Australian installation and proceed to a
subsequent Australian port the master (via the agent) must notify AQIS of the intended
subsequent port visit(s). If the vessel has not had a physical inspection at the installation, the
vessel may be subject to AQIS inspection and ballast water summary verification at the
subsequent port.
4.3.2 Aircraft
Commanders of international aircraft intending to arrive at an Australian installation as a first port
of entry must submit an Application for 20AA permission for an international aircraft to enter an
Australian non-proclaimed quarantine first port no less than 5 working days prior to arrival in
Australia.24
20
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/aircraft/disinsection/procedures
21
http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/111988/reportinganillness.pdf
22
Part 2 of the Quarantine Proclamation 1998.
23
S20AA of the Quarantine Act 1908. - http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/vessel-clearance/20aa
24
http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/avm/aircraft/aircraft_forms/20aa-aircraft
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Aircraft returning from an international installation to an Australian non-proclaimed first port of
entry must submit an Application for 20AA permission for an international aircraft to enter an
Australian non-proclaimed quarantine first port.
Any Australian aircraft that interacts with an international vessel/installation will result in the
Australian aircraft (and all persons and goods onboard) becoming subject to quarantine. The
Commander must report as per section 3.2
4.3.3 Goods (Cargo)
Masters of vessels and aircraft intending to unload goods (cargo) at a non-proclaimed port are
required to submit an application for Permission for Animals, Plants or Other Goods to be landed
at a Place that is not a Declared Port 25(via their Australian shipping/ground handling agent).
Applications must be submitted to AQIS no less than 10 working days prior to arrival in Australia.
Any exceptions to this requirement are listed in section 7.2 of this document.
Note: Approval to attach to the Australian seabed is granted by the Australian Customs and
Border Protection Service (ACBPS), under the Customs Act 1901, Section 5A. The approval
may contain additional conditions relating to quarantine requirements that will be in place
until such time as the vessel is released from quarantine.
4.4 Vessels exempt from pre-arrival reporting
International vessels operating either within or outside the Australian territorial sea are not
subject to quarantine requirements provided the vessel does not anchor, attach to the Australian
seabed or call at an Australian place.
Vessels transiting through Australia’s territorial sea and not landing on Australian territory are not
required to submit a Pre-Arrival Report.
This exemption may be applicable to:
 International seismic survey / research vessels operating in Australian waters
 International vessels associated with construction of installations provided the vessel
does not attach to the Australian seabed (e.g. mobile offshore drilling units); or intend to
land any goods at an Australian place and
 Australian vessels and aircraft that journey between the Australian mainland and an
Australian installation.
Note: Vessels are still expected to comply with the Australian Ballast Water Management
Requirements before being allowed to discharge ballast water inside Australia's territorial
sea.
International vessels that interact with any Australian vessels/installations will result in the
Australian vessel/installation (and all persons and goods onboard) once again being considered
an international vessel/installation and therefore subject to quarantine.
4.4.1 When to notify AQIS
AQIS must be notified of the following events:
25
S20D of the Quarantine Act 1908 - http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/landing-at-non-declared-port
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
death or illness onboard if there is an intention to bring the body to the mainland or an
Australian vessel/installation

medical evacuation to the Australian mainland

prior to crew transfers from transiting vessels to an Australian place or installation

prior to any goods being transported from an international vessel/installation to an
Australian place.
To effectively manage the biosecurity risks associated with vessel movements, AQIS requires
being notified by masters of seismic or survey vessels operating within Australian waters and
outside the Australian Territorial Sea, including the following information:

intended operating location(s)

intended duration of stay

intended next port once the survey has been completed

re-provisioning and bunker fuel arrangements and

name and contact details of an Australian agent (if applicable).
5 VESSEL MANAGEMENT
5.1 Biofouling management
The petroleum production and exploration industry has an important role in Australia's fight
against marine pests26.
Operators of vessels, sub-miscible equipment and infrastructure involved in petroleum
production and exploration operations can help prevent the introduction and spread of potentially
devastating marine pests by implementing the following measures:


Minimise the amount of biofouling through a high standard of cleaning and maintenance.
Comply with any international and domestic biofouling requirements.
Note: Incorporating practices that minimise the build-up of biofouling into routine cleaning
and maintenance programs significantly reduces marine biosecurity risks.
Operators of petroleum related vessels, equipment and infrastructure should refer to the
'National biofouling management guidance for the petroleum production and exploration
industry27' for practical guidance on managing biofouling. These recommendations have been
developed in conjunction with the petroleum production and exploration industry and apply to the
following vessel types:
 offshore support vessels including utility support vessels, platform supply vessels and
anchor handling tug supply vessels
 mobile offshore drilling units including jack-up units, drilling barges and semi-submersible
ships
26
http://www.marinepests.gov.au/marine_pests
27
http://www.marinepests.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1120131/Biofouling_guidance_petroleum.pdf
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







crew transfer vessels
diving support vessels
accommodation vessels
seismic survey vessels
landing craft
pipe laying ships and barges
floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSO) and floating storage and
offloading vessels (FSO)
related submersible equipment and infrastructure.
Operators of oil tankers and gas carriers should refer to the 'National biofouling management
guidelines for commercial vessels28' for guidance on managing biofouling.
Operators of heavy lift vessels and dredges (including rock dumping ships) should refer to the
'National biofouling management guidance for non-trading vessels29' for guidance on managing
biofouling.
5.2 Waste management
No waste is to be transferred from an international vessel (including aircraft) or international
installation to an Australian place, vessel or installation without AQIS permission.
Waste may include sweepings, organic galley and accommodation refuse, unconsumed
prepared meals and other partly consumed food, soil, animal and plant materials (including
seeds), or materials used to pack and stabilise cargo, any non-washable items, other overseas
waste or materials.
All waste is to be stored in a container or sealed room on board the international vessel, so that
no waste is accessible to any animals and there is no leakage.
Galley grinders and incinerators should not to be used within an installation’s exclusion zone.
Sewage and food waste may be discharged from sea vessels subject to compliance with the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex IV.
5.3 Cargo management
Cargo and/or equipment (goods) must not be transferred from an international vessel/installation
to an Australian vessel/installation without AQIS permission.
The master, owner or agent of the vessel must apply for permission to land the goods at an
Australian installation (a non-proclaimed port). Refer to section 3.3 for additional details.
Where permission is granted, the transfer of goods from international vessels/installations to
Australian vessels/installations may result in the Australian vessel/installation (and all persons
and other goods onboard) once again becoming subject to quarantine.
28
http://www.marinepests.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1109594/Biofouling_guidelines_commercial_vessels.
pdf
29
http://www.marinepests.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1120133/Biofouling_guidance__NTV.pdf
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Goods are permitted to transfer between Australian vessels and Australian installations.
5.4 Surveillance
If the master or crew of any vessel or installation observes any insects, including bees, or birds
on the vessel the master should contact AQIS.
If the master or crew of any vessel or installation observes suspected illegal fishing vessel
activities or suspected irregular entry vessel movements, the master should report these
activities to the ACBPS.
6 AQIS DIRECTIONS
6.1 Approval to Berth
Once AQIS has assessed the information submitted in the QPAR, an approval to berth (ATB)
may be issued to the master of a vessel stipulating directions which will apply to the vessel while
it is in Australia.
In some circumstances, a master will not be issued an approval to berth – instead all directions
will be included on the certificate of pratique.
6.2 Certificate of pratique
Once AQIS is satisfied that all human health risks have been mitigated a certificate of pratique
will be issued to the master of the vessel (or commander of an aircraft).
Pratique, in practice, is the permission granted by AQIS for an international vessel, aircraft or
installation to disembark passengers or crew (noting that the vessel itself, cargo and some
persons or goods may remain subject to quarantine).
6.2.1 Vessels
If a request for pratique is refused, the master of the international vessel/installation must fly the
quarantine signal (yellow flag or quarantine lights). Under no circumstances are any persons
permitted to leave the vessel without receiving permission from a quarantine officer.
6.2.2 Aircraft
Most international aircraft entering Australia are operating under a system of automatic pratique,
which means pratique is automatically granted at the time an aircraft arrives. However,
automatic pratique does not apply to non-scheduled flights30 like those servicing vessels and
installations.
AQIS officers may need to meet the aircraft when pratique is not automatically granted. All
passengers and crew must remain onboard until pratique is granted by AQIS or unless
authorised by an AQIS officer.
It is a requirement to comply with any directions issued by AQIS in the approval to berth and/or
in the certificate of pratique31.
30
Non–scheduled flight, of an aircraft, has the meaning given by the Air Navigation Act 1920.
31
S78A of the Quarantine Act 1908.
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7 CREW CHANGES AND CREW TRANSFERS
Crew from international vessels/aircraft and international installations are subject to quarantine.
The master of an international vessel/installation is guilty of an offence if he/she allows a person
to remove goods from the international vessel/installation without written permission from
AQIS32.
Any crew from an international vessel/aircraft/installation disembarking at an Australian place
may be subject to a inspection (including personal effects) as some foodstuffs and other goods
may not be permitted entry.
Crew transfers are permitted between Australian vessels and Australian installations.
Crew transfers from international vessels/installations to Australian vessels/installations will
result in the Australian vessel/installation (and all persons and goods onboard) once again being
considered international and therefore subject to quarantine requirements.
Note: TheACBPS and Department of Immigration and Citzenship (DIAC) also have their
own requirements for crew disembarking international vessels/installations. For further
information, email the ACBPS at information@customs.gov.au or visit the DIAC website
(www.immi.gov.au).
8 RELEASE FROM QUARANTINE
Where an international vessel or installation is required to remain in Australian waters or
attached to the Australian seabed for an extended period of time the relevant Master or agent
may request it be ‘released from quarantine’ and considered an Australian vessel/installation.
In assessing the suitability of an international vessel/installation to be considered Australian and
released from quarantine, AQIS may conduct an inspection of the vessel/installation and any
goods onboard. AQIS may also issue directions to mitigate the biosecurity risk of the
vessel/installations and any persons or goods onboard.
Risk material may include, but is not limited to stores, waste and personal effects. It is also
standard practice to direct the cleaning and disinfection of all cold storage and freezer areas.
Once released from quarantine a vessel or installation is afforded ‘Australian’ status and is no
longer subject to quarantine. The vessel/installation will continue to have Australian status, until
such time as the vessel/installation leaves Australian waters or once again has contact with
vessels, persons or goods that remain subject to quarantine.
Australian status allows unhindered interaction with other Australian vessels (including aircraft)
and installations; and allows unrestricted movement of crew between the Australian
vessel/installation and Australian ports. When applied to installations it also means that they may
receive Australian-based supply vessels and aircraft without impediment.
Note: Further details on what is required for a vessel to be stripped to ‘coastal status’ can
be found at Attachment 1.
32
S29 of the Quarantine Act 1908.
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide
8.1 Maintaining Australian quarantine status
Once a release from quarantine has been issued ‘Australian’ status can be maintained by
ensuring there is:
 no movement of cargo, goods, waste, people, animal or plant products from international
vessels or aircraft (unless under quarantine supervision or approval) and
 no interaction or physical contact with international ports, places (including installations)
and vessels.
8.2 Activities which will not result in a change in quarantine status
There are a number of circumstances when an Australian vessel or installation may interact with
an international vessel and not result in a change in quarantine status. These include:

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international vessels that connect solely through a flow line to and from an Australian
vessel or installation
international vessel that transfers quarantine cleared cargo by machinery (ie crane) to an
Australian vessel or installation
Australian vessel or installation that transfers Australian goods to an international vessel
via machinery
connection between an Australian and international vessel solely through a tow line.
An exchange between an Australian vessel or installation and an international vessel may be
eligible for continued release from quarantine if it involves no transfer of uncleared cargo or
stores, movement of waste, or transfer/interaction of people.
Industry is encouraged to contact the local AQIS office for guidance as to whether an interaction
is subject to a change in quarantine status of the Australian vessel or installation.
9 FURTHER INFORMATION
Additional information can be sourced at the following locations.
Quarantine legislation
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/quarantine/legislation/quarantine
Vessel Requirements:
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels
Aircraft Requirements:
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/aircraft
Ballast Water Management:
http://www.marinepests.gov.au/australian_ballast_water_management and
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/ballast/requirements
Biofouling Management:
http://www.marinepests.gov.au/petroleum/managing_biofouling
Importation of Goods:
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/import
http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/import/icon-icd
10 CONTACT DETAILS
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
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Street Address: 7 London Circuit, Canberra City ACT 2601
Postal Address: GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6272 3933
Freecall: 1800 020 504 (from within Australia - calls from mobile and public phones may incur
additional charges)
Email: AQIS33
Website: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis
Contact for vessel (sea) arrivals
Seaports Program
Phone: +61 2 6272 5777
Fax: +61 2 6272 3200
Email: seaports@aqis.gov.au
Contact for aircraft arrivals
Passengers Program
Phone: +61 2 6272 4143
Fax: +61 2 6272 3468
Email: airports@aqis.gov.au
Other Useful Contacts
33

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service – manages the security and integrity
of Australia’s borders. For further information on Customs requirements:
phone: 1300 363 263 or +61 2 6275 6666 (outside Australia)
email: information@customs.gov.au
website www.customs.gov.au
Customs Hotline: 1800 06 1800 (for reporting suspicious activities)

Department of Immigration and Citizenship - maintains and enforces Australia's visa
requirements. For further information on the Department of Immigration and Citizenships
requirements phone: 131 881 (within Australia)
website: www.immi.gov.au/sea/enquiries/

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) - is responsible for the enforcement of
environmental and safety standards for vessels in Commonwealth jurisdiction. Their role
includes protection of the marine environment from pollution from ships and other
environmental damage caused by shipping. For further information on AMSA
phone: 1800 641 762 (within Australia) or +61 2 62795000 (outside of Australia)
website: www.amsa.gov.au.
http://www.daff.gov.au/feedback?query=aqispr&SQ_DESIGN_NAME=aqis
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11 ATTACHMENT 1
11.1 Stripping of a Vessel to Australian Coastal Status
Outlined below are the quarantine requirements and the general process that AQIS will follow.
Of most importance is that all quarantine risk material (QRM) will be removed from your vessel.
AQIS will inspect each area/room of your vessel for QRM.
Unless otherwise approved by AQIS, the stripping of a vessel to Australian coastal status must
be conducted at a proclaimed port that has AQIS approved waste collection, transport and
treatment facilities available..
11.1.1 QRM includes, but is not limited to:

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
potted plants and deck gardens
animals including pets, insects and rodents
hessian bags once used to hold coffee/rice/potatoes/beans
foodstuffs including grain and returning Australian produce including those cross
contaminated with QRM.
untreated timber dunnage (such as pallets);
waste bins, spilt food residues, used bags and packaging throughout the vessel and on
deck; and
any cargo or ships' goods that are to be landed;
Any items containing or made up of plant, animal or soil origin.
11.1.2 Foodstuffs to be disposed of will include, but is not limited to:



most dairy products such as fresh milk, ice cream, yoghurt, butter and cheeses including
packaging
all poultry products fresh, cooked or frozen including packaging e.g. egg and egg
products, noodles and mayonnaise containing greater than 10% egg
fresh fruit and vegetables including packaging fresh and frozen meat products including
packaging.
Dry provisions such as rice and spices will be inspected for insects, and honey will be inspected
for impurities.
Particular attention will be paid to crew quarters for personal belongings subject to quarantine
(e.g. personal food supplies, wooden articles, potted plants, pets, sporting equipment etc.).
Galleys, food preparation and provision areas will be inspected to remove all QRM. Items that
are cross-contaminated with QRM will be treated as QRM and seized. Goods infested with live
insects will require treatment or destruction as per AQIS guidelines and and may be removed
from the vessel.
Inspectors will concentrate on 3 major areas:
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Offshore Installations Quarantine Guide

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
galleys and all food storage areas - along with clearance of the vessel for issuing
pratique;
all cabins and crew quarters;
open deck areas and equipment including all storage areas above and below deck and
engine/steering rooms.
Should the vessel need to be refitted in the future, you will need to contact AQIS regarding
these separate requirements.
11.1.3 AQIS requires from the master the following information and cooperation:

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

a copy of the General Arrangements that clearly identifies all areas of the vessel (prior to
arrival if possible);
crew to accompany quarantine officer(s) during the inspections
crew to be available to assist officers during the inspection
access to all areas of the vessel
fridges and freezers must be defrosted, emptied, clean and at room temperature at the
time of the inspection.
It is recommended to reduce the amount of QRM on board prior to arrival. It is advisable to
consume any fresh/frozen meat and fresh produce prior to the inspection. To assist in
determining which provisions are considered to be a high biosecurity risk, check the AQIS Import
Conditions (ICON) database34. You may wish to ensure that items that will be seized are
consumed beforehand as much as possible.
The interior surfaces of fridges and freezers including racks and shelving will need to be treated
using an AQIS approved disinfectant by the ships crew under AQIS supervision during the
inspection. To do this, fridges and freezers must be defrosted, emptied, clean and at room
temperature at the time of the inspection. The galley areas exposed to high risk QRM residues
will also be managed as per the fridge/freezer requirements.
11.1.4 AQIS requires the agent to arrange the following if coastal status is required:

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



34
submission of the Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report (QPAR) to AQIS 12 to 96 hours prior to
arrival at the first Australian port of call
provide a copy of this information to the master along with the approval to berth prior to
the arrival of the vessel
provide AQIS with updates on arrival, berthing (if applicable), and sailing times
an AQIS approved waste contactor to be available to collect, transport waste and seized
items for treatment/destruction. Advise AQIS of the date and time that the waste is to be
collected and transported
organise prior to arrival the equipment (hand sprayer) and AQIS approved
disinfectant for the inspection where required i.e. Virkon for the freezers and areas
containing foodstuffs; Virkon or hypochlorite solution (2% available chlorine required) for
areas that have stored fruit and vegetables or their packaging
in combination with the Master, appropriate equipment and staff to conduct the
treatments
http://netprod.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_querycontent.asp
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
An understanding that re-provisioning of the vessel must not take place until the vessel
has been granted full coastal status. This will negate the possibility of cross
contamination with high risk stores.
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11.1.5 Stripping of a vessel
Stripping of a vessel can be conducted offshore provided a number of additional conditions are met
including:

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a safe pre-approved method of travel to and from the vessel for AQIS staff is provided
all work and travel to be completed within one day (no overnight stays)
a pre-approved method of removing and transporting all seized goods and waste for
disposal at the completion of the inspection can be provided
all travel costs are met by the client.
Any International travel for AQIS officers must be approved in advance. This process may take
up to 10 days.
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