Overview
The Biosecurity Amendment (Improving Operational Efficiency) Act 2026 (No. 84, 2026) received royal assent and came into force on 15 September 2026. The Act amends the Biosecurity Act 2015 and is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
What the Act changes
The Act makes changes in two areas, set out in two schedules.
Schedule 1 - Australia Travel Declarations
Schedule 1 amends rules around Australia Travel Declarations, including application and transitional provisions. The source does not specify the practical detail of those changes beyond the schedule heading.
Schedule 2 - Notices of intention and technical amendments
Schedule 2 makes changes to notices of intention and includes technical amendments to the Biosecurity Act 2015. The source does not specify the practical detail of those changes beyond the schedule heading.
Key actions
- Businesses involved in importing goods, agriculture, or international travel logistics can review the full text of the Act at https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026A00084 to determine whether the changes to Australia Travel Declarations or notices of intention are relevant to their operations.
- The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry can be contacted for clarification on how the amended biosecurity rules apply - the department is reachable via agriculture.gov.au.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.