Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2020L01307 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020

made under subsection 44(2) of the

Biosecurity Act 2015

Compilation No. 3

Compilation date: 1 November 2021

Includes amendments up to: F2021L01463

Registered: 5 November 2021

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 November 2021 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

3 Authority

4 Definitions

Part 2—Passenger statements

5 Requirement to provide statement—certain individuals entering Australian territory from New Zealand

6 Requirement to provide statement—certain returning Australian citizens and permanent residents

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Part 1—Preliminary

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under subsection 44(2) of the Biosecurity Act 2015.

4  Definitions

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:

(a) Australian territory;

(b) landing place;

(c) passenger.

  In this instrument:

Act means the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Australian Border Force has the same meaning as in the Australian Border Force Act 2015.

Australian Border Force employee means an APS employee:

 (a) in the Department administered by the Minister administering the Australian Border Force Act 2015; and

 (b) who is in the Australian Border Force or whose services are made available to the Australian Border Force.

Overseas Travel Ban Determination means the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020, as in force on 1 November 2021.

relevant official means any of the following:

 (a) a biosecurity officer;

 (b) a chief human biosecurity officer;

 (c) a human biosecurity officer;

 (d) an Australian Border Force employee.

Part 2—Passenger statements

 

5  Requirement to provide statement—certain individuals entering Australian territory from New Zealand

 (1) This section applies to an individual who:

 (a) is entering Australian territory:

 (i) at a landing place in accordance with Division 2 of Part 4 of Chapter 4 of the Act; and

 (ii) as a passenger of an aircraft on a flight that commenced in New Zealand; and

 (b) had been only in either or both of New Zealand and Australia for at least 14 days immediately before the day the flight commenced.

 (2) The individual must provide, to a relevant official, a written statement signed by the individual that includes:

 (a) a declaration that the individual had been only in either or both of New Zealand and Australia for the past 14 days; and

 (b) the following information for the individual:

 (i) whether the individual has signs or symptoms of human coronavirus with pandemic potential;

 (ii) whether the individual has been exposed to human coronavirus with pandemic potential in the past 14 days;

 (iii) name;

 (iv) date of birth;

 (v) passport number;

 (vi) phone number while in Australian territory;

 (vii) intended address while in Australian territory;

 (viii) email address;

 (ix) flight number.

Note 1: An individual who fails to comply with a requirement that applies to the individual under this section may contravene a civil penalty provision (see section 46 of the Act).

Note 2: A person may commit an offence or contravene a civil penalty provision if the person provides false or misleading information or documents (see sections 137.1 and 137.2 of the Criminal Code and sections 532 and 533 of the Act).

Note 3: For protections for children or incapable persons who are subject to the requirement in subsection (2), see Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 1 of Chapter 2 of the Act.

Note 4: Part 2 of Chapter 11 of the Act deals with confidentiality of personal information collected under the Act.

 (3) The requirement in subsection (2) applies at the landing place.

6  Requirement to provide statement—certain returning Australian citizens and permanent residents

 (1) This section applies to an individual:

 (a) to whom section 5 does not apply; and

 (b) who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident; and

 (c) who is entering Australian territory at a landing place in accordance with Division 2 of Part 4 of Chapter 4 of the Act; and

 (d) who most recently left Australian territory to travel to New Zealand in accordance with the Overseas Travel Ban Determination in the following circumstances:

 (i) an exemption set out in subsection 6(2) or (3) of that Determination applied to the individual;

 (ii) no other exemption set out in section 6, or granted under section 7, of that Determination applied to the individual; and

 (e) who, after so travelling, left New Zealand to travel to another foreign country.

 (2) The individual must provide, to a relevant official, a written statement signed by the individual that includes:

 (a) a declaration that the individual:

 (i) most recently left Australian territory to travel to New Zealand as mentioned in paragraph (1)(d); and

 (ii) had, after so travelling, left New Zealand to travel to another foreign country for a compassionate reason or because the individual required urgent medical treatment that was not reasonably available in New Zealand or Australia; and

 (b) the following information for the individual:

 (i) whether the individual has signs or symptoms of human coronavirus with pandemic potential;

 (ii) whether the individual has been exposed to human coronavirus with pandemic potential in the past 14 days;

 (iii) name;

 (iv) date of birth;

 (v) passport number;

 (vi) phone number while in Australian territory;

 (vii) intended address while in Australian territory;

 (viii) email address;

 (ix) flight number.

Note 1: For subparagraph (a)(ii), an example of a compassionate reason for an individual is the death or serious illness of a close family member of the individual or of a close family member of the spouse or de facto partner of the individual.

Note 2: An individual who fails to comply with a requirement that applies to the individual under this section may contravene a civil penalty provision (see section 46 of the Act).

Note 3: A person may commit an offence or contravene a civil penalty provision if the person provides false or misleading information or documents (see sections 137.1 and 137.2 of the Criminal Code and sections 532 and 533 of the Act).

Note 4: For protections for children or incapable persons who are subject to the requirement in subsection (2), see Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 1 of Chapter 2 of the Act.

Note 5: Part 2 of Chapter 11 of the Act deals with confidentiality of personal information collected under the Act.

 (3) The requirement in subsection (2) applies at the landing place.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020

15 Oct 2020 (F2020L01307)

16 Oct 2020 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Biosecurity Legislation (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2021

18 Apr 2021 (F2021L00456)

Sch 1 (items 1–6): 19 Apr 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

Biosecurity (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2021

4 Aug 2021 (F2021L01068)

Sch 1 (item 1): 11 Aug 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

Biosecurity (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Amendment (No. 2) Determination 2021

27 Oct 2021 (F2021L01463)

Sch 1 (item 1): 1 Nov 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 4.....................

am F2021L00456; F2021L01068; F2021L01463

Part 2

 

s 5.....................

am F2021L00456

s 6.....................

ad F2021L00456

 

 

Overview

The Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020 was made under subsection 44(2) of the Biosecurity Act 2015 by the Australian Government in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation was enacted to address the need for stringent entry requirements for individuals travelling to Australia from regions where the human coronavirus with pandemic potential posed a significant risk. The objective of this legislative instrument is to facilitate the collection of essential health information from passengers to mitigate the risk of virus transmission. The Determination applies to individuals entering Australian territory from New Zealand and returning Australian citizens or permanent residents, requiring them to provide a written statement detailing their travel history and health status to relevant officials upon arrival. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in civil penalties, and providing false information is subject to criminal penalties. This legislative instrument underscores the Australian Government's commitment to protecting public health by enforcing rigorous biosecurity measures during the pandemic.

Scope and Application

The Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020 applies to specific individuals entering Australian territory from New Zealand and certain Australian citizens and permanent residents returning to Australia from New Zealand. These individuals must provide a written statement to a relevant official, such as a biosecurity officer, detailing their travel history, potential exposure to the human coronavirus with pandemic potential, and personal contact information. This requirement is in place to prevent the spread of the virus and to facilitate contact tracing efforts. The legislation operates under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and extends to Australian territory. There are no stated exclusions or thresholds within the Determination itself, although the scope of its application may be further defined or modified by subordinate instruments. The Determination has been amended several times to reflect changes in circumstances and policy responses to the evolving situation regarding the human coronavirus with pandemic potential.

Key Provisions

The Biosecurity (Entry Requirements—Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Determination 2020, under subsection 44(2) of the Biosecurity Act 2015, primarily mandates specific entry requirements for individuals arriving in Australia from New Zealand and for returning Australian citizens and permanent residents who have recently travelled to New Zealand. Section 5 of the Determination requires individuals entering Australian territory from New Zealand to provide a written statement, signed by the individual, to a relevant official at the landing place. This statement must include a declaration that the individual has been in either New Zealand or Australia for the past 14 days, along with personal details such as name, date of birth, passport number, and contact information. Additionally, the individual must declare whether they have signs or symptoms of human coronavirus with pandemic potential or have been exposed to it in the past 14 days. Section 6 of the Determination applies to Australian citizens or permanent residents who left Australian territory to travel to New Zealand under the Overseas Travel Ban Determination and subsequently left New Zealand for another foreign country. These individuals must provide a similar written statement to a relevant official, declaring that they left Australia to travel to New Zealand under an exemption and subsequently left New Zealand for a compassionate reason or urgent medical treatment not available in New Zealand or Australia. The Determination imposes specific obligations on the individuals subject to its provisions. These obligations include the provision of accurate and truthful information in the written statements required by sections 5 and 6. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in contravention of civil penalty provisions under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Additionally, any individual providing false or misleading information or documents may commit an offence or contravene civil penalty provisions under both the Criminal Code and the Biosecurity Act 2015. The Determination also includes provisions for the protection of children or incapable persons who are subject to these requirements, ensuring that their rights and welfare are considered. Breaches of the obligations under this Determination can result in both civil and criminal consequences. Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, an individual who fails to provide the required written statement may contravene a civil penalty provision, which can lead to financial penalties. Furthermore, providing false or misleading information or documents can result in criminal offences under the Criminal Code, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. The Act also includes provisions for the confidentiality of personal information collected under the Determination, ensuring that individual privacy is protected.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.