If you’re flying into Australia soon whether you’re a local heading home or a visitor arriving for the first time there’s a change worth knowing about before you pack your bags. Biosecurity fines have increased by 40% in 2026, and undeclared items that once might have earned a warning can now cost you upwards of AU$2,664.
Here’s exactly what’s changed, why it matters, and how to make sure you’re not the one caught out at the border.
What’s Changed
Australia’s biosecurity penalties for undeclared risk items think food, wooden souvenirs, plants, and camping gear have risen sharply this year. Fines that previously sat lower now start at AU$2,664, and can climb depending on the item and the circumstances.
This isn’t a minor administrative tweak. It reflects heightened vigilance at the border, driven by growing concern over disease outbreaks overseas, particularly Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cases in neighbouring Indonesia.
Why Indonesia (and Bali) Matters Here
Australia is incredibly protective of its agricultural industry, and for good reason: the country is free of many pests and diseases that plague farming elsewhere in the world. An FMD outbreak reaching Australian soil could be devastating for livestock and the wider agricultural economy.
Because so many Australians travel to and from Bali and the rest of Indonesia each year, authorities are paying closer attention to travellers arriving from the region. If you’ve recently been to Bali, even just for a holiday, customs officers may be scrutinising your bags a little more carefully than before.
That doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It just means the margin for “I forgot that was in there” has shrunk considerably.
What Counts as a Biosecurity Risk
Some of the most common items that catch travellers out:
- Food — fresh or packaged snacks, fruit, meat products, dairy, even seemingly harmless items like muesli bars or sealed sachets from your hotel or the plane
- Wooden items — carvings, souvenirs, musical instruments, and untreated wood products
- Plants and seeds — including dried flowers, leis, and plant-based decorations
- Camping and outdoor gear — tents, hiking boots, and equipment that’s been used outdoors, particularly on farms or in rural areas overseas
- Animal products — leather goods, feathers, or items containing animal-derived materials
If in doubt, it’s on the list.
The Golden Rule: Always Declare
The simplest way to avoid a fine is also the easiest: if you’re not 100% sure whether something needs to be declared, tick “yes.”
Declaring an item doesn’t automatically mean it will be confiscated, and it definitely doesn’t mean you’ll be fined. Biosecurity officers may simply inspect it, treat it, or ask a few questions, and you’ll be on your way. The fines are reserved for undeclared items that are discovered during screening, not for travellers who are upfront.
This ties in with the recent shift toward the Australia Travel Declaration, the new digital alternative to the old paper Incoming Passenger Card, which is rolling out progressively across Australian airports through 2026 and into 2027–2028. Whether you’re filling in a digital declaration or the familiar orange card, the same principle applies: honesty at the border is the cheapest option, every time.
Before You Fly Home
A few quick habits can save you a very expensive surprise:
- Check your bag the night before — not just at the airport. It’s easy to forget a stray snack or souvenir buried in a side pocket.
- Ask family and friends what they’ve packed for you — gifts and “just take this home for me” items are a common source of accidental non-declarations.
- When unsure, declare it — officers would always rather you ask than guess wrong.
- Share this with anyone flying home soon — particularly if they’ve been travelling through Bali or Indonesia recently.
The Bottom Line
Australia’s biosecurity system exists to protect an agricultural industry and natural environment that much of the world doesn’t have the luxury of. The rules haven’t fundamentally changed, but the cost of getting it wrong just did, significantly.
So before your next flight home, take five extra minutes to check your bag. It’s a lot cheaper than the alternative.
Flying into Australia soon? Save this guide and share it with anyone else making the trip home.