25 July 2022
Who does this notice affect?
All vessel owners, operators, master’s, and shipping agents who represent international commercial vessels, including cruise vessels for the purposes of Australian biosecurity clearance.
What has changed?
The Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS) Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) and Human Health Update forms for commercial vessels have been revised.
These changes relate to information and updates on ill passengers/crew, or death on board, or if a pre-arrival report has not been provided, the vessel will be subject to the negative pratique process.
Pratique is only granted after a biosecurity officer has assessed that there is no human health risk associated with the vessel.
The revised PAR and Human Health Update forms will come into effect from 30 July 2022.
The Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) for commercial vessels has been revised. There are now new mandatory Human Health questions prescribed by the Department of Health.
- The COVID-19 tab of questions has been consolidated on the Human Health tab of the PAR and Human Health (HH) update.
- New directions will appear on Biosecurity Status Documents (BSDs).
- Pratique Framework
- Commercial vessels are no longer granted pratique at the time of submission of the Pre-Arrival Report (PAR).
- Commercial vessels excluding cruise vessels are subject to the positive or negative pratique process until arrival, which, for biosecurity purposes, is when the vessel enters Australian territorial waters, 12 nautical miles (NM) from the Australian coastline.
- Reformed Australian negative pratique arrangements have been mandated as of 3 March 2022.
- Pratique is granted automatically via MARS on arrival where there are no human health issues (positive pratique process), excluding all cruise vessels and non-commercial vessels.
- Non-commercial vessels and cruise vessels are subject to the negative pratique process and will not be granted pratique until a biosecurity officer has assessed the human health risks associated with the vessel at its first point of entry. (negative pratique process).
- Once a vessel has arrived (within 12 NM), subsequent Human Health Updates do not change the pratique process.
- If pratique has been granted via the positive pratique process and an ill passenger/crew or death on board is subsequently reported, pratique cannot be revoked.
- If pratique has not been granted and a subsequent Human Health Update reports no ill passenger/crew or death on board, a biosecurity officer must grant pratique manually via the negative pratique process.
- Commercial vessels including cruise vessels must continue to provide a PAR in writing, via MARS.
What do you need to do?
Complete your PAR in MARS as per usual. The revised and mandatory questions appear in the Human Health section of the PAR in MARS.
As an alternative to direct MARS access, offline forms can be used by vessel masters or officers where there is limited or unreliable internet connectivity to meet pre-arrival reporting obligations.
The MARS PAR offline form has been updated on the MARS offline forms webpage, for use from Saturday 30 July 2022. Vessel masters and shipping agents should make sure to use the updated PAR to avoid errors and delays when submitting into MARS.
Where can you find the forms?
The updated offline forms are available on the department’s website: MARS offline forms
Vessel reporting requirements and the Biosecurity Act 2015
Vessel masters and shipping agents are reminded:
- to read and understand the Biosecurity Status Document (BSD) directions and conditions and keep a copy of the current document on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage in Australia.
- That any changes in circumstances during the voyage in Australian waters, particularly changes to the human health of traveler’s and crew, must be submitted via MARS or reported to the NMC as soon as practicable.
- that a failure to report accurately or comply with a requirement under the Biosecurity Act may result in penalties, including infringement notices, civil penalties, or criminal prosecutions.
Further information
Contact the department’s National Maritime Centre (NMC) by email or phone
1300 004 605 (in Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).
Information and MARS supporting materials can be found on the department’s website under MARS communications and training materials. More details about Vessel Pratique are available on the department’s website.
See the Department of Health website for the latest key contact information, travel advice and the collection of factsheets for industry and the general public (Resources) on Listed Human Diseases.
Detailed information on the Negative Pratique Instrument is available on the Federal Register of Legislation.