Biosecurity Import Permits are required for the importation of many sample types (commodities) entering Australia. It is the responsibility of the Chief Investigator (CI) of each project to ensure they have an appropriate and valid Import Permit for the entry of their samples to Australia. The AAD Science Branch maintains a series of centrally managed Biosecurity Import Permits for use by Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) projects.
Please discuss your permit needs (eg what types of samples you plan on importing and what laboratories you want to work with them in etc) with AAD staff who centrally manage permits. It is recommended that permit needs are discussed before project activity commences.
If you have access to the AAD intranet (including from research stations) refer to the Permits intranet page for more details. If you have difficulty accessing permit documents, don't have access to the Permits intranet page or require assistance from the AAD, please email import.permits@aad.gov.au as soon as possible or speak to the Laboratory Manager directly.
The AAD holds Import Permits for a variety of sample types including:
- soil
- water (liquid and ice)
- microorganisms
- invertebrates (marine and terrestrial, including live specimens)
- animal specimens including: birds, marine mammals, fish
- plant specimens including moss, lichen, algae, cyanobacteria
- contaminated soil and waste for disposal via deep burial
Biosecurity Import Permits are NOT collection permits. Project CIs must apply for a collection permit via AAD Territories, Environment and Treaties Section.
When preparing scientific samples for import (from station or ship), refer back to the Scientific Samples page. This will help ensure samples are cleared by external regulatory bodies efficiently and with minimal delay.