Let us know you are coming
Cruise ships
Cruise ships are subject to Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity controls when entering and/or departing Australia.
A cruise ship is defined as a ship that has more than 100 sleeping facilities for passengers paying for a service of sea transport.
Cruise ships providing direct international sea transport require full immigration clearance and inwards Advance Passenger Processing (APP) for all passengers and crew.
Cruise ship representatives seeking to understand APP reporting obligations or who need to obtain necessary system access to complete APP, can contact their shipping agent for assistance.
Vessels seeking to enter an Australian Non-Appointed port require permission for the first port of entry and/or to enter subsequent ports.
Cruise ships require Maritime Traveller Processing Committee (MTPC) approval when they want to enter seaports
other than the Ports of:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane (excluding Tangalooma)
- Cairns (excluding Yorkeys Knob)
- Port Adelaide
- Hobart.
Cruise ships wanting to arrive, depart or visit any other seaports (including Tangalooma and Yorkeys Knob) must submit an MTPC application.
Requests are subject to Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) resource availability and infrastructure at the requested port.
Find out more about the Biosecurity requirements for the management of Cruise Vessel arriving into Australia at
DAFF Biosecurity Cruise Vessels.
Large passenger vessels
Large passenger vessels are defined as a ship with 99 or less sleeping facilities for passengers paying for a service of sea transport.
Large passenger vessels are subject to customs, immigration and biosecurity controls when entering and/or departing Australia. This includes requiring permission to enter an Australian Non-Appointed First port of Entry and/or to enter subsequent Ports of Call.
Large passenger vessels require MTPC approval when they want to enter seaports
other than the Ports of:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane (excluding Tangalooma)
- Cairns (excluding Yorkeys Knob)
- Port Adelaide
- Hobart
- Broome
- Darwin.
Large passenger vessels wanting to arrive, depart or visit any other seaports (including Tangalooma and Yorkeys Knob) must submit an MTPC application.
Superyachts
Large motor or sailing vessels (superyachts) of over 24 metres in length are subject to customs, immigration and biosecurity controls when entering and/or departing Australia. This applies whether they are for private use, or commercial recreational or sporting activities.
Recent changes to reporting and border clearance procedures mean that a superyacht owner/operator/master or agent must seek permission to enter Australia through non-appointed ports.
A ship's owner/operator/master or agent
must submit a request through the MTPC for superyachts that are operating privately but proposing to arrive in Australia at non-appointed ports.
Maritime Traveller Processing Committee
The MTPC co-ordinates the exercise of various statutory controls and responsibilities performed at seaports. One function of the MTPC is to review requests from the cruise ship industry seeking to arrive or depart from minor, restricted and non-designated seaports where no permanent ABF or DAFF presence exists.
Making an application to the Maritime Traveller Processing Committee
Cruise ships, large passenger vessels and superyacht operators or their agents requiring MTPC approval must apply through the
Air and Sea Approvals Portal (ASAP). This will require account creation.
The MTPC will liaise with relevant border agencies to confirm availability for border clearance processes.
Application process for Cruise ships and large passenger vessels
Cruise ship or large passenger vessel operators or their agents requiring MTPC approval must submit their application in the ASAP. This must be done
at least 30 days before the arrival and no more than 2 years in advance. The application must contain the full itinerary, vessel details and port intentions (for example, passenger/crew exchange, shore excursions, and sail by/anchor only).
Cruise vessels wanting to undertake a Round Trip Cruise (RTC) must apply through the
Air and Sea Approvals Portal (ASAP).
For specific requirements regarding cruises undertaking a RTC, refer to
Round Trip Cruise parameters (160KB PDF).
Further information is in the
MTPC Air and Sea Approval Portal FAQs (428KB PDF). Alternatively,
contact the MTPC.
Note: Approved arrival clearance of vessels at non-appointed ports will incur Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) cost recovery charges. The ABF does not levy any charges for clearance at appointed ports. However, the DAFF operates on a full cost recovery basis.
Cruise ship visitors and on-board functions
The cruise ship operator should seek approval from the MTPC through the
ASAP at least 5 business days before inviting visitors to board a cruise ship for a function or other purpose not related directly to the vessel's operations. For example, media or marketing events, family visits or fund-raising activities.
Embarkation and disembarkation
Any requests to embark or disembark passengers at non-appointed ports must come through the MTPC through the
ASAP. Any passengers wishing to leave/join a vessel at a non-appointed port must gain approval if it is not an emergency.
An emergency or high-risk disembarkation request must be submitted even after a disembarkation has occurred.
Application process for Superyachts
Superyacht vessel operators/owners/masters or their agents requiring MTPC approval must submit an application no later than 10 business days before the arrival and no more than 2 years in advance through the
ASAP. The application must contain the full itinerary, vessel details and port intentions (for example, passenger/crew exchange, shore excursions, and sail by/anchor only).
Superyachts approved for arrival at non-appointed ports will be subject to the operator/owner/master or their agent meeting ABF and DAFF border clearance costs associated with clearing the vessel and persons/goods.
Note: Superyachts will potentially incur costs at
all non-appointed ports visited during a voyage when operating under a
coastal trading licence.
Further information is in the
MTPC Air and Sea Approval Portal FAQs (428KB PDF). Alternatively,
contact the MTPC.
Reporting requirements for Superyachts
Superyachts (non-commercial) arriving in Australia through a non-appointed port remain subject to the impending arrival reporting requirements as outlined in
Let us know you're coming. Also applicable are the information requirements as outlined in
Yachts and pleasure craft.
Superyachts operating under a coastal trading licence are considered international commercial vessels. They must also comply with the standard reporting and operating requirements for international commercial vessels under the Coastal Trading Act and customs legislation.
Immigration and Customs clearance options
The ABF determine the most efficient and effective method of clearance.
Current options include:
- on a wharf, at a dedicated or temporary facility, or
- en route, between the last port overseas and the first port of arrival in Australia.
To submit an en route clearance application, seek MTPC approval via the
ASAP. This must be done
at least 6 months before the arrival and no more than 2 years in advance.
En route clearances require ABF officers to join the vessel prior to departure from the last overseas port. The agent or operator is responsible for all costs associated with the officer's overseas travel including airfares, accommodation, meals and ground transport.
Contact details for the Maritime Traveller Processing Committee
The MTPC operates Monday - Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (excluding public holidays). You can contact the MTPC by email at
mtpc@abf.gov.au. Note that the MTPC only monitors the inbox during business hours.
