DAFF - IIAN : 188-2026 National arrangements for military maritime activity

Monday, November 2, 2026


02 November 2026

Who does this notice affect?

This notice applies to stakeholders involved in military maritime arrivals, including:

  • Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Foreign Defence Force (FDF) agencies coordinating the arrival of military vessels in Australia.
  • Defence and military agencies responsible for managing or supporting military maritime operations in Australia.
  • Port operators and approved arrangements operators involved in the handling, berthing or presentation of military vessels for biosecurity purposes.
  • Industry participants supporting military maritime activity who engage with the Department for biosecurity clearance or inspection requirements.

What has changed?

This notice applies only to biosecurity inspection activities associated with Australian and foreign military vessel arrivals. It does not apply to military cargo operations or to aircraft, traveller or personnel clearance activities, which will continue under existing arrangements.

From Monday 02 November 2026, the Military Operations Section (MOS) will assume operational responsibility for biosecurity related inspection activities relating to Australian and foreign military vessel arrivals.

This change provides clarity on arrangements for stakeholder engagement and points of contact for military maritime activity.

For operational and biosecurity related queries associated with inspections of military vessels stakeholders should use the updated contact details outlined below.

Military Operations Section (MOS)    

Northern and western regions
Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Cairns
Email: militaryoperations-northwest@aff.gov.au 
On-call phone: 08 8998 4825

Southern and eastern regions
Queensland excluding Cairns, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania
Email: militaryoperations-southeast@aff.gov.au 
On-call phone: 07 3637 7770

Further information

Military Operations Section (MOS)
Email:  militaryoperations-northwest@aff.gov.au 
On-call phone: 08 8998 4825

Email: militaryoperations-southeast@aff.gov.au
On-call phone: 07 3637 7770