Western Australia is free from many of the insect or animal pests, plant and animal diseases and weeks which are present elsewhere in Australia, but there is a high risk of them arriving on goods carried or used by travellers.
The Quarantine Checkpoint at the WA/NT border is in place to ensure the region maintains this status. We depend largely upon the traveller to our region and state to be fully aware as to what items have restricted entry into our region and state and we hope travellers’ will assist us in our endeavours. The following is a guide to the quarantine restrictions within the East Kimberley and Western Australia.
Restricted items
Do not bring to Western Australia
- Fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Home-dried fruit and vegetables which have not been dried to commercial standards.
- Frozen raw apple, grape, stone fruit, paw-paw, blueberry, mango with skin or seed attached, unpeeled potato or onion.
- Raw walnuts in shells.
- Honey and other hive products unless certified as heat-treated.
- Bees and apiary equipment.
- Hay/fodder.
- Weeds and weed seeds.
- Soil (including soil in plant pots).
- Used agricultural/horticultural containers (such as potato sacks, wheat/seed bags, chaff bags, fruit/vegetable cartons).
- Plants (including cut flowers and foliage).
- Seeds.
All items are subject to inspection on arrival, so please declare all items.
Do not bring to the Kimberley
- Uncertified citrus and stone fruit are prohibited entry into the Ord River Irrigation Area (Kununurra) from 1 April to 30 November. Carefully check other fruit you are carrying to reduce the risk of introducing Fruit Fly.
- All palm plants and foliage that originate from the Broome area, unless suitably treated.
There are other restricted items whilst travelling within Western Australia, please contact Quarantine WA for further information.
Permitted
What you CAN bring to Western Australia
- Commercially packaged dried fruit and vegetables except for apple and loquat with peel.
- Frozen raw fruit and vegetables, except for those listed above as prohibited.
- Nuts, except for raw walnuts in shells.
- Fresh fish.
- Dairy products.
- Meat products.
- Processed foods such as biscuits, fruit-cake, fruit juice, cordial and dried packet foods such as polished rice (except for un-milled rice).
All items are subject to inspection on arrival, so please declare all items.
Useful information
Animals and birds
Pets such as cats, dogs, budgerigars, cockatiels, weeros, domestic rabbits and guinea pigs are permitted entry, provided cages contain no fruit, vegetables, seed, feed or straw. Many other birds and animals are prohibited, restricted or require permits. To check requirements, telephone the Department of Environment and Conservation on +61 8 9334 0333. Notice of livestock movement must be given at least 48 hours in advance to DAFWA Stock Inspector on +61 8 9166 4000 or +61 420 101 714.
What you can REMOVE from the Kimberley
You are able to take any fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area, Kununurra out of the area. All other items must be certified by a state authority or have received prior approval from the state authority. As a general rule, supermarket purchased produce would not receive certification due to its unknown history.
For further information about Western Australia's quarantine rules:
The Department of Agriculture in Western Australia
Quarantine WA – Phone: +61 8 9168 7354
Northern Territory Quarantine Service – Phone: +61 8 8999 2138
Don’t risk a fine!
