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Annex

Post-arrival requirements for psittacine household pet birds imported from New Zealand

Effective 13 October 2021 to 1 July 2022

  1. The bird(s) must be transported directly from the first point of entry to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment approved post-arrival quarantine (PAQ) premises by the most direct route.
  2. The bird(s) must be confined indoors at the premises approved by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment prior to import. The premises must be conveniently located for supervision by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. The bird(s) must be confined in an approved mosquito-proofed area for 45 days after arrival in Australian territory. The quarantine area must be entirely enclosed so that there can be no contact by the quarantined bird(s) with any other birds. The area must prevent the escape of the bird(s). The bird(s) shall not leave the approved premises for any reason without approval from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
  3. All waste generated during PAQ must be stored within the PAQ premises until the quarantine period is complete. Waste includes (but is not limited to) droppings, seed husks, uneaten seed and other food, feathers, dander, cage lining materials and equipment.
  4. No birds, other than those imported on the same import permit, may be held at the PAQ premises.
  5. During the 45 day period of isolation, the bird(s) must not come in contact with other birds or people who have contact with other birds, other than the examining registered veterinarian.
  6. The owners must have no contact with other birds for the duration of the quarantine period and must prevent contact by other people who have contact with birds, other than the examining registered veterinarian.
  7. The owner must notify the biosecurity officer within 24 hours of death or illness in the bird(s). The biosecurity officer must also be notified within 24 hours of any escapes during the 45 days post arrival quarantine period.
  8. During post arrival quarantine, a veterinarian must examine the bird(s) at the PAQ premises for any clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease, including any lesions suggestive of avian pox, in the PAQ premises a minimum of 38 days after arrival of the bird(s). The veterinarian must follow personal biosecurity protocols including wearing clean protective clothing and hand hygiene. Lesions suggestive of avian pox in psittacine birds must be shown not to be caused by psittacine pox virus. Any testing required must be performed by a laboratory approved by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
    The owner will arrange for the examination, provide all reasonable assistance to facilitate that process and pay the costs involved. The veterinarian will provide a report stating the results of the examination for infectious or contagious disease to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment veterinary officer in the relevant state.
  9. If there is suspicion of infectious or contagious disease in the bird(s) under PAQ, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment veterinary officer must be notified and the bird(s) will remain in isolation. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment veterinary officer, in consultation with the approved laboratory, may require further testing or examinations.
  10. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment veterinary officer shall require all birds that die during the post arrival quarantine period to be submitted to the approved laboratory for disease investigation at the owner’s cost.
    Note: In the event of any imported bird showing evidence of disease or producing a positive result to any tests undertaken after arrival in Australia, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment may require any or all of the birds to be either detained in the approved premises for further testing, be placed in a government quarantine facility or euthanased.