Australia Updates Arrival Rules for Boats, Ships

Australia has introduced new reporting requirements for boats and ships arriving in Australian waters, effective 18 June 2026. The changes apply to both commercial vessels (cargo ships) and non-commercial craft such as private yachts and recreational boats. For commercial operators, rules now require updated health information before arrival, including whether anyone on board has experienced new shortness of breath in the past 21 days—added to existing reportable signs like fever, coughing, skin rashes, and unusual bleeding. Government forms used for pre-arrival reporting (PAR), human health updates (HHU), and additional health questions have been revised, with guidance available via MARS offline forms.