​To help protect Australia’s people, plants and animals, there are strict laws about what you are allowed to bring into Australia. Tasmania also has its own quarantine laws, because it is a separate island from the Australian mainland and its environment is unique.

By following a few simple rules, you can avoid having any problems and get on with your studies!

Prohibited items

Goods that are considered illegal include drugs such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. Counterfeit goods and some types of pornography are also banned. Do not try to bring these into Australia.

Incoming passenger card

During your flight, you will be given an incoming passenger card to complete. On this card, you must declare whether or not you have packed any restricted goods by ticking YES. The incoming passenger card is a legal document and if you are found to be carrying a restricted good that you did not declare, you can be fined and charged with a criminal offence.

The list of restricted goods that must be declared includes: 

• Weapons - This includes all hand held weapons such as knives, along with guns, ammunition and toy guns.
• Performance enhancing drugs – If you’re carrying steroids or human growth hormone, these must be declared.
• Currency – There is no limit to the amount of money you are allowed to bring into Australia, but you must declare if you are carrying over AU$10,000 in any currency, traveller’s cheques or other forms of money order. This money will not be taken from you, if you declare it. You only need to declare the money you are carrying with you, not what is in your bank account.
• Food, plants, animals and biological goods – This includes anything made of wood, seeds, nuts, fruit, vegetables, meat, packaged food including noodles and rice, herbs and spices, snacks, biscuits, cakes, confectionary, and any dairy food.
• Medicines – This includes all prescription medicine, alternative therapies or traditional and herbal medicines.
• Protected wildlife – Carrying live animals is prohibited, but so are animal products like ivory, caviar, coral, orchids or hunting trophies.
• Heritage listed goods – Valuable works of art, stamps, coins or historical objects require a special permit.
• Veterinary products – This means all drugs and medicines for animals.

If you are not sure whether something should be declared, then the right thing to do is to declare it and ask a customs official. You can also dispose of prohibited items in quarantine bins in the airport. In many cases, the goods that you declare will not be taken from you after inspection. Some products may require treatment to make them safe and will be taken for quarantine. Depending on the good, it might be returned to you or stored until you leave the country. You can find out more about Australia’s quarantine restrictions here.