Contents

Part I--Introductory                                                                                                               1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

2A......... Power to supersede Quarantine measures under State Acts .............. 1

2B......... Proclamation in event of epidemic ...................................................... 1

3............ Coordinated response powers ............................................................ 2

4............ Scope of quarantine ............................................................................ 5

5............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 6

5AA...... References to quarantine officer ....................................................... 23

5A......... Special Quarantine Zones ................................................................. 23

5B......... When person or thing is taken to have been exposed to another person or thing     23

5C......... Power or requirement to do or cause a thing to be done ................... 24

5D......... Level of quarantine risk .................................................................... 24

5E.......... References to aircraft and commander of an aircraft ......................... 24

6............ Extension of Act to Cocos Islands and Christmas Island ................. 25

6AB...... Extension of Act to Ashmore and Cartier Islands ............................ 25

6A......... Special provision regarding resources installations in the Joint Petroleum Development Area               25

6B......... Power to make, vary, suspend or revoke various instruments etc. .. 25

6C......... Provisions relating to conditions, restrictions or requirements ........ 27

7............ No appropriation .............................................................................. 27

Part II--Administration                                                                                                      28

8A......... Officers responsible for human quarantine ....................................... 28

8B......... Officers responsible for animal and plant quarantine ....................... 28

9............ Appointment of officers responsible for human quarantine ............ 29

9AA...... Appointment of officers responsible for animal and plant quarantine 30

9A......... Temporary quarantine officers ......................................................... 31

10.......... Delegation by Minister ..................................................................... 31

10A....... Delegation by Secretary .................................................................... 32

10B....... Delegation by Director of Quarantine .............................................. 32

11.......... Arrangements with State and Territory Governments to aid in carrying out this Act             32

Part IIA--Proposed decisions affecting the environment                               34

11A....... Definitions ........................................................................................ 34

11B....... Decisions under this Act not to be regarded as actions for the purposes of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act ......................................................... 34

11C....... Requirement to seek from Environment Minister advice about proposed decision involving significant risk of environmental harm .......................................................................... 34

11D....... Provision of advice by Environment Minister ................................. 35

11E........ Director of Quarantine to take advice into account .......................... 35

Part III--General provisions                                                                                           36

12.......... Declared places ................................................................................. 36

12A....... Minister may take quarantine measures in an emergency ................ 36

12B....... Laboratories etc. ............................................................................... 36

13.......... Proclamation of ports of entry etc. .................................................. 37

13A....... Emergency quarantine grounds ......................................................... 42

14.......... Exemption of certain vessels and goods ........................................... 42

14A....... Exemptions pursuant to Torres Strait Treaty .................................. 43

15.......... Vessels may be directed to carry disinfecting equipment ................. 44

16AA.... Certain resources installations to be part of Australia ..................... 44

16AAA. Certain sea installations to be part of Australia ............................... 45

16AB.... Certain goods deemed to be imported into Australia ....................... 46

16AC.... Notice of proposed importation of goods ........................................ 47

16AD.... Quarantine officer may require additional information about goods 48

16AE..... False or misleading information ........................................................ 49

16AF..... Manner of communicating decisions by quarantine officers ............ 49

16AG.... Evidence of giving of notices by electronic means ............................ 50

16AH.... Vessel arriving illegally at a place other than a port ......................... 50

Part IV--Quarantine of vessels, persons and goods                                         51

Division 1A--Application                                                                                          51

16A....... Part applies to animals and plants .................................................... 51

Division 1--Liability to quarantine                                                                       52

17.......... Vessels or installation subject to quarantine ..................................... 52

18.......... Persons and goods subject to quarantine .......................................... 52

19.......... Revival of Quarantine (Cocos Islands) ............................................. 54

19AA.... Revival of quarantine (Christmas Island) ......................................... 55

19A....... Continuance of liability to quarantine .............................................. 55

20.......... Vessels to enter only first ports of entry unless permission given .. 56

20A....... Overseas aircraft to land only at landing places unless permission given                 57

20AA.... Permission to enter place other than first port of entry ................... 57

20B....... Prohibition of entry by air from proclaimed places ......................... 58

20C....... Aircraft landing at places other than landing places ......................... 60

20D....... Animals, plants or other goods to be landed at declared port .......... 61

21.......... Quarantine signals on vessels and installations ................................ 62

22.......... Notification of outbreak of a disease ................................................ 63

23.......... Signal ................................................................................................. 64

24.......... Unauthorised person not to board or approach vessel or installation 64

25.......... When required vessel to be brought to ............................................. 65

25A....... Boarding of installations ................................................................... 65

26.......... Limit in port for vessels subject to quarantine ................................. 65

26A....... Vessels to be brought to mooring grounds ........................................ 66

27A....... Pre‑arrival and pre‑departure reports by certain vessels (other than aircraft) and installations               66

27B....... Pre‑arrival and pre‑departure reports by certain aircraft .................. 69

28.......... Quarantine officer may require master and medical officer of vessel or installation to answer questions                71

29.......... People not to leave, or to remove goods from, vessel or installation that is subject to quarantine          74

29A....... Animal or thing that has been exposed to an animal that has been killed or has died not to be removed from an overseas vessel or an overseas installation without permission ...................... 75

29B....... Directions about animals on vessels or installations ........................ 77

30.......... Persons prohibited from quitting vessels, installations and quarantine areas           78

31.......... Apprehension of persons liable to quarantine .................................. 79

32.......... Mooring of vessels from declared places .......................................... 79

32A....... Vessel coming from declared place may be directed not to enter a port   80

32B....... Pratique in relation to certain overseas aircraft ................................. 80

33.......... Pratique in relation to other overseas vessels ................................... 81

33A....... Grant of pratique to installations ..................................................... 83

34.......... Quarantine surveillance ..................................................................... 83

Division 2--Performance of quarantine                                                             85

35.......... Order to perform quarantine ............................................................. 85

35AA.... Medical examination for possible pulmonary tuberculosis .............. 86

35A....... Vessel or installation having a communicable disease on board ........ 88

35B....... Release from quarantine .................................................................... 91

35C....... Person ordered into quarantine may seek an independent medical assessment        92

35D....... Chief Quarantine Officer (Human Quarantine) must assess whether a person is to remain in quarantine               92

36.......... Master may be directed to take vessel or installation into quarantine 93

37.......... When vessel or installation deemed to be in quarantine ................... 93

38.......... Particulars to be given ....................................................................... 94

39.......... Performance of quarantine by vessel or installation ......................... 94

40.......... Vessel or installation in quarantine not to be moved without permission                95

41.......... Removal from vessel to perform quarantine ..................................... 95

42.......... Power to permit vessel to proceed on voyage .................................. 96

44.......... Goods not to be removed ................................................................. 96

44A....... Removal from vessels or installations of goods in quarantine .......... 97

44B....... Landed cargo in quarantine ............................................................... 98

44C....... Examination of goods on importation ............................................. 100

44D....... Examination of imported goods ...................................................... 100

45.......... Performance of quarantine by persons ........................................... 101

46.......... Release from quarantine .................................................................. 102

46A....... Approvals for the purpose of goods subject to quarantine ............ 102

48.......... Goods ordered into quarantine ....................................................... 107

48AA.... Treatment and destruction of goods ............................................... 109

48AB.... Treatment of things that have been exposed to animals that were subject to quarantine         110

48AC.... Diseased plant grown from another plant ...................................... 112

48AD.... Packages, packing material and other waste material ...................... 112

48A....... Abandoned goods may be destroyed .............................................. 113

49.......... Unlawful damage by officers .......................................................... 114

Part V--Quarantine of animals and plants                                                            115

52.......... Examination of animals on importation .......................................... 115

52A....... Examination of animals or plants on installations .......................... 116

53.......... Examination of plants on importation ............................................ 117

54.......... Examination of imported animals and plants .................................. 117

55A....... Power to order goods into quarantine ............................................. 117

Part VAA--Vector monitoring and control activities                                      119

55B....... Definitions ...................................................................................... 119

55C....... Vector monitoring and control activities (other than on private property)              120

55D....... Private property--direction to owner or controller to carry out vector monitoring and control activities              120

55E........ Private property--power of quarantine officer (human quarantine) to carry out vector monitoring and control activities with consent .................................................................... 120

55F........ Private property--power of quarantine officer (human quarantine) to carry out vector monitoring and control activities in emergency .................................................................... 121

55G....... Private property--power of quarantine officer (human quarantine) to carry out vector monitoring and control activities under warrant .................................................................. 121

Part VA--Automated entry processing and release of imported goods 124

56.......... Automated entry processing and release of imported goods .......... 124

Part VI--Expenses                                                                                                              127

Division 1--Interpretation                                                                                      127

58A....... Interpretation .................................................................................. 127

Division 2--Expenses of quarantine                                                                 128

58B....... Prescribed health measures provided in relation to travellers ......... 128

59.......... Liability of owner etc. for expenses of quarantine ......................... 128

59A....... Liability for costs of pilotage, treatment etc. ................................. 129

59B....... Security for carrying out responsibilities ....................................... 130

63.......... Owners of vessel quarantined liable for services of medical officer 130

63A....... Provision of sustenance for animals in quarantine .......................... 131

63AA.... Additional provisions concerning agent's liability under section 59A or 63            131

5>64.......... Quarantine expenses in case of animals and plants ........................ 132

Division 3--Charges for the provision of prescribed health measures in relation to travellers               135

64A....... Definition of prescribed health measure ........................................ 135

64B....... Traveller definitions ........................................................................ 136

64C....... Charges for the provision of prescribed health measures in relation to travellers    138

64D....... Tariff of amounts payable for prescribed health measures ............ 139

Division 4--Recovery of expenses                                                                    140

65.......... Expenses to be a charge upon vessel .............................................. 140

66.......... Recovery of expenses ..................................................................... 140

66A....... Sale of animals, plants or goods to recover expenses ..................... 140

Part VIA--Enforcement                                                                                                   142

Division 1--General powers                                                                                  142

66AA.... General powers of quarantine officers in relation to premises ....... 142

Division 2--Monitoring powers                                                                           146

66AB.... The monitoring of premises ............................................................ 146

66AC.... Monitoring warrants ....................................................................... 147

66AD.... Seizures without offence‑related warrant in emergency situations 148

Division 3--Offence‑related searches and seizures                                 149

66AE..... Offence‑related searches and seizures ............................................ 149

66AF..... Offence‑related warrants ................................................................ 149

66AG.... The things that are authorised by a search warrant ........................ 151

Division 4--Warrants granted by telephone or other electronic means                152

66AH.... Warrants may be granted by telephone or other electronic means . 152

Division 5--Stopping and searching vessels or vehicles                       154

66AI...... Searches without warrant in emergency situations ......................... 154

66AJ..... How a quarantine officer exercises a power under section 66AI .... 154

Division 6--General rules about premises and warrants                       156

66AK.... Availability of assistance, and use of force, in executing a warrant 156

66AL..... Announcement before entry under warrants .................................. 156

66AM... Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc. ............................... 156

66AN.... Occupier to be present during search under warrants .................... 157

66AO.... Use of equipment to examine or process things ............................. 157

66AP..... Use of electronic equipment at premises ........................................ 158

66AQ.... Compensation for damage to equipment ........................................ 159

66AR.... Copies of seized things to be given ................................................ 160

66AS..... Retention of things that are seized ................................................. 160

66AT.... Magistrate may permit a thing to be kept ...................................... 161

66AU.... Release of seized goods .................................................................. 162

66AV.... Quarantine officer must produce identity card ............................... 162

66AW... Giving of consent ............................................................................ 162

66AX.... Receipts for things seized or moved ............................................... 163

Part VIB--Commission of inquiry into equine influenza outbreak          164

66AY.... Appointment of Commissioner ...................................................... 164

66AZ.... Hearings .......................................................................................... 164

66AZA. Commissioner not bound by the rules of evidence ......................... 165

66AZB.. Quarantine officers ......................................................................... 165

66AZC.. Conferral of quarantine powers ...................................................... 165

66AZD. Disclosure of personal information ................................................ 166

66AZE.. Application of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 ........................... 166

66AZF.. Application of laws relating to disclosure ...................................... 167

Part VII--Miscellaneous                                                                                                 168

66B....... Compliance agreements .................................................................. 168

67.......... Penalties for certain acts done in contravention of Act .................. 169

67A....... Liability of master or owner of vessel for importation of prohibited animals          172

68.......... Effect of unlawful importation etc. ................................................ 172

68A....... Destruction of certain animals ........................................................ 175

69.......... Seizure of animals, plants or other goods ....................................... 175

69A....... Compensation for destroyed goods ................................................ 176

70.......... Power to board vessels and examine things found on them ............ 180

70AA.... Power to board installations and examine things found on them .... 182

70A....... Power to search goods .................................................................... 183

70B....... Powers of officers in relation to goods ........................................... 183

70BA.... Carrying out tests on samples ........................................................ 185

70BB..... Officers may be assisted by animals .............................................. 185

70C....... Offences in relation to goods or vessel ........................................... 185

70CA.... False or misleading statements about approvals, permits, compliance agreements etc.           186

70D....... Directions relating to the movement of persons and goods subject to quarantine    188

70E........ Directions to people in a quarantine station ................................... 188

71.......... Boarding vessel or installation ........................................................ 189

72.......... Medical inspections and examinations ........................................... 189

73.......... Quarantine officer may make inquiries at any time ........................ 190

74.......... Power to affix notices ..................................................................... 191

74AA.... Quarantine information to be given to travellers to Australia ........ 192

74BB..... Identity cards .................................................................................. 192

74BC..... Power to require information after entering premises with consent or under warrant             193

74C....... Non‑compliance with requirements ................................................ 194

74D....... Powers relating to vessels and vehicles .......................................... 194

74DA.... Master or owner of vessel or installation ordered into quarantine may be directed to help officers        195

74E........ Persons to assist officers ................................................................ 195

75.......... Persons may be vaccinated etc. ...................................................... 196

75A....... Vessels involved in certain offences ............................................... 197

75B....... Animals on boats ............................................................................ 201

76.......... Unauthorised entry on quarantine station etc. ............................... 201

77.......... Pilot wrongly conducting vessel subject to quarantine ................... 203

78.......... Master not to allow vessel to enter port other than first port of entry if quarantinable disease or pest on board 203

78A....... Treatment of vessels and installations that are believed to be in an insanitary condition or to be likely to be carrying diseases or pests ............................................................................. 203

78AA.... Treatment of vessel or installation subject to quarantine ............... 205

78B....... Mooring of insanitary vessels ........................................................ 206

78C....... Moving an insanitary vessel ........................................................... 207

79A....... Exclusion of privilege against self incrimination in certain circumstances                208

80.......... Penalty for desertion ...................................................................... 208

82.......... Protection from civil proceedings ................................................... 209

83.......... Master, medical officer or agent misleading quarantine officer ....... 210

84.......... Maliciously ordering vessel etc. into quarantine ............................ 210

86A....... Venue in summary prosecution ...................................................... 210

86B....... Jurisdiction of courts ...................................................................... 211

86C....... Power to administer oaths or take declarations .............................. 211

86DA.... Evidence of analyst ......................................................................... 211

86E........ Fees and deposits ........................................................................... 213

86EA..... Commonwealth etc. not liable to pay fees ..................................... 216

86F........ Compensation for acquisition of property ..................................... 216

86G....... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................. 217

87.......... Regulations ..................................................................................... 217

Notes                                                                                                                                           225

An Act relating to Quarantine

  

Notes to the Quarantine Act 1908

Note 1

The Quarantine Act 1908 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 3, 1908 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

All relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 30 June 1997 is not included in this compilation. For subsequent information see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Quarantine Act 1908	3, 1908	30 Mar 1908	1 July 1909 (see Gazette 1909, p. 1175)
Quarantine Act 1912	15, 1912	6 Nov 1912	6 Nov 1912	--
Quarantine Act 1915	42, 1915	15 Nov 1915	15 Nov 1915	--
Quarantine Act 1920	47, 1920	2 Dec 1920	2 Dec 1920	--
Quarantine Act 1924	30, 1924	26 Sept 1924	26 Sept 1924	--
Quarantine Act 1947	19, 1947	4 June 1947	4 June 1947	--
Quarantine Act (No. 2) 1947	92, 1947	11 Dec 1947	11 Dec 1947	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1950	80, 1950	16 Dec 1950	31 Dec 1950	S. 16
Quarantine Act 1961	61, 1961	24 Oct 1961	24 Oct 1961	--
Quarantine Act 1966	12, 1966	13 May 1966	1 Aug 1968 (see Gazette 1968, p. 4213)	--
Quarantine Act 1969	1, 1969	14 Mar 1969	14 Mar 1969	S. 7(2)
Statute Law Revision Act 1973	216, 1973	19 Dec 1973	31 Dec 1973	Ss. 9(1) and 10
as amended by
Statute Law Revision Act 1974	20, 1974	25 July 1974	31 Dec 1973	--
Quarantine Amendment Act 1979	1, 1979	27 Feb 1979	27 Feb 1979	S. 7
Quarantine Amendment Act (No. 2) 1979	105, 1979	25 Oct 1979	25 Oct 1979	--
Australian Federal Police (Consequential Amendments) Act 1979	155, 1979	28 Nov 1979	19 Oct 1979 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1979, No. S206)	--
Australian Federal Police (Consequential Amendments) Act 1980	70, 1980	28 May 1980	28 May 1980	--
Quarantine Amendment Act 1981	54, 1981	25 May 1981	22 June 1981	Ss. 7(2), 11(2) and 16(2)
Off‑shore Installations (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1982	51, 1982	16 June 1982	Part VII (ss. 52--112): 14 July 1982 (a)	--
Migration (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1983	84, 1983	14 Nov 1983	Part IX (ss. 28, 29): 2 Apr 1984 (b)	--
Quarantine Amendment Act 1984	19, 1984	26 Apr 1984	Ss. 1, 2 and 27: Royal Assent Ss. 20--21: 1 Aug 1984 (see Gazette 1984, No.  291) Remainder: 24 May 1984	Ss. 4(2), 5(2), 6(2) and 26(2)
as amended by
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1984	165, 1984	25 Oct 1984	S. 3: (c)	Ss. 2(32) and 6(1)
Torres Strait Treaty (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1984	22, 1984	26 Apr 1984	15 Feb 1985 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1985, No. S538)	--
Quarantine Amendment Act 1985	2, 1985	29 Mar 1985	29 Mar 1985	Ss. 5(2)--(4), 25 and 26
Sea Installations (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1987	104, 1987	6 Nov 1987	Parts I‑V (ss. 1--30) and Part VIII (s. 57): 15 Oct 1987 Remainder: 6 Nov 1987 (see s. 2(2))	--
as amended by
Community Services and Health Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1988	155, 1988	26 Dec 1988	S. 41(3): 6 Nov 1987 (d)	--
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1987	141, 1987	18 Dec 1987	S. 3: Royal Assent (e)	S. 5(1)
Statutory Instruments (Tabling and Disallowance) Legislation Amendment Act 1988	99, 1988	2 Dec 1988	2 Dec 1988	--
Petroleum (Australia‑Indonesia Zone of Cooperation) (Consequential Provisions) Act 1990	37, 1990	7 June 1990	18 Feb 1991 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1991, No. S47)	--
Quarantine Amendment Act 1991	134, 1991	2 Sept 1991	1 Sept 1991	Ss. 4 and 6
Territories Law Reform Act 1992	104, 1992	30 June 1992	S. 24: 1 July 1992 (f)	--
Maritime Legislation Amendment Act 1994	20, 1994	15 Feb 1994	1 Aug 1994 (see Gazette 1994, No.  S289)	--
Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act 1994	94, 1994	29 June 1994	Ss. 3--10: Royal Assent (g)	Ss. 4, 5(2), 6 and 8
Quarantine Amendment Act 1994	169, 1994	16 Dec 1994	16 Dec 1994	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996	25 Oct 1996	Schedule 5 (items 126--132): Royal Assent (h)	--
Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1996	59, 1996	20 Nov 1996	Schedule 7: Royal Assent (i)	--
Primary Industries and Energy Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1997	94, 1997	30 June 1997	Schedule 7: 22 Oct 1997 (see Gazette 1997, No. S418) (j)	Sch. 7 (items 5, 24) [see Table A]
Environment, Sport and Territories Legislation Amendment Act 1997	118, 1997	7 July 1997	Schedule 1 (items 58, 59): Royal Assent (k)	--
Quarantine Amendment Act 1999	196, 1999	23 Dec 1999	Schedule 1 (items 1‑85, 87‑327): 23 June 2000 Schedule 1 (item 86): 16 July 2000 (see s. 2(2)) Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 43, 50, 65, 68, 73, 76, 81, 83, 85, 91, 93, 96, 98, 112, 114, 119, 143, 160, 165, 174, 180, 193, 201, 226, 265, 271, 290, 317, 320, 323) [see Table A]
Timor Gap Treaty (Transitional Arrangements) Act 2000	25, 2000	3 Apr 2000	Ss. 4--6 and Schedule 2 (item 41): (l)	Ss. 4--6 [see Table A]
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2000	121, 2000	5 Oct 2000	Schedule 2 (item 8): 11 Nov 1999 Remainder: 5 Dec 2000 (see Gazette 2000, No.  S612)	Ss. 4--7 [see Table A]
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000	137, 2000	24 Nov 2000	Ss. 1--3 and Schedule 1 (items 1, 4, 6, 7, 9--11, 32): Royal Assent Remainder: 24 May 2001	Sch. 2 (items 418, 419) [see Table A]
Quarantine Amendment Act 2002	17, 2002	4 Apr 2002	Schedule 1 (items 1--17A): 4 Oct 2002 Schedule 1 (item 18): 2 May 2002 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (item 17A) [see Table A]
Petroleum (Timor Sea Treaty) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003	10, 2003	2 Apr 2003	Schedule 1 (items 1--52, 54--75, 78--82): 20 May 2002 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2003	38, 2003	2 May 2003	Schedule 4 (items 1, 2, 6--22, 24--33) and Schedule 5 (items 4--7): 30 May 2003 Schedule 4 (items 3--5, 23): (m)	S. 2(1) (am. by 139, 2004, Sch. 3 [items 1--3]) S. 2(3) (am. by 139, 2004, Sch. 3 [item 4])
as amended by
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2004	139, 2004	13 Dec 2004	Schedule 3 (items 1--6): (ma)	--
Crimes Legislation Enhancement Act 2003	41, 2003	3 June 2003	Schedule 3 (item 35): (n) Schedule 3 (item 42): Royal Assent	Sch. 3 (item 42) [see Table A]
Quarantine Amendment (Health) Act 2003	91, 2003	26 Sept 2003	Schedule 1 (items 1--43): 26 Mar 2004 Schedule 1 (items 44, 45): (o) Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 7, 11, 13, 33, 38, 40) [see Table A] S. 2(1) (am. by 54, 2004, Sch. 4 [item 1])
as amended by
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004	54, 2004	27 Apr 2004	(see 54, 2004 below)	--
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2004	54, 2004	<