What to declare when you arrive in Australia

Food and biosecurity rules, the Incoming Passenger Card, bringing medicines, and declaring AUD 10,000 or more in cash.

In short

When you land you fill in an Incoming Passenger Card, in English. Australia has strict biosecurity rules to keep out pests and diseases, so food, plant and animal products must be declared or thrown in the bins at the airport.

What to do

Declared goods are inspected by a biosecurity officer. Goods that are not a biosecurity risk are given back to you.

Before you pay: safety checks

Do not split cash between travellers, or ask someone to carry it for you, to stay under AUD 10,000. AUSTRAC says this is illegal

What you need to know

Declare all food, animal products and plant material (including wooden items), and any shoes, clothing or gear used in rural areas or near animals. Or put them in the bins at the airport
Giving false or misleading information, or not following an officer's directions, can bring a fine of up to $7,280 or prosecution
Cash: if you carry AUD 10,000 or more (or the same in foreign currency), you must declare it. Money sent through a bank or remittance service does not count
Medicines: bring no more than a 3-month supply, in the original packaging, with your prescription or a doctor's letter. The medicine must be legal in the country you are travelling from

From the Department of Agriculture (biosecurity), the Australian Border Force, AUSTRAC (cash) and the TGA (medicines). Rules can change, so check before you fly.

Travelling to Australia: biosecurity (Department of Agriculture) ↗Incoming Passenger Card (Australian Border Force) ↗Travelling with medicines (TGA) ↗Moving money across borders (AUSTRAC) ↗