Regulator function
Border Management and Revenue Systems
- In relation to the Customs Act 1901 and Customs Regulations 2015, administer appointment (and revoking) of ports, airports, wharves and boarding stations, and require international vessels and international aircraft to arrive in Australia at specified ports or airports.
- In relation to the Migration Act 1956 and Migration Regulations 1994, assume responsibility for the designation of foreign dignitaries.
- Administer, monitor and promote compliance across the border continuum including trade and traveller facilitation and intervention, and enforcement activities including supply chain integrity, customs and migration investigations, field operations and immigration compliance activities and customs compliance within the designated region.
- Administer, monitor and enforce customs and border regulations to support the efficient movement of legitimate goods across the border while detecting and preventing the movement of prohibited goods, and administer the collection of border revenue, regulated goods and supply chain risks, and undertakes customs compliance activity.
- Provide guidance and information to support traders make decisions that encourage voluntary compliance with their obligations under legislation for the importation of goods including the origin, valuation and classification of goods.
- Ensure that requirements and expectations are clear, consistent and transparent by publishing information on the ABF website including under Australian Customs Notices.
Border Security, Maritime Surveillance and Immigration Detention
- Administer, monitor and enforce legislation and regulations relating to the management and security of Australian Maritime Domain to combat maritime security threats.
- Administer, monitor and enforce migration legislation and regulations in response to Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals entering Australia and/or its external territories.
- Administer, monitor and promote compliance across the end-to-end management of the National Detention Network.
Legislation
Border Management and Revenue Systems
- Customs Act 1901
- Customs Regulation 2015
- Migration Act 1956
- Migration Regulations 1994
- A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 - ATO
- A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 – ATO
- Australian Passports Act 2005 – DFAT
- Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905
- Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Regulation 2016
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulation 1956
- Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulation1958
- Customs Securities (Penalties) Act 1981
- Customs Tariff Act 1995
- Customs Tariff Regulations 2004
- Customs Tariff Validation Act 2009
- Customs Undertakings (Penalties) Act 1981
- Import Processing Charges Act 2001
- Psychotropic Substances Act 1976
- Customs (ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Rules of Origin) Regulations 2009
- Customs (Australia-US Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2004
- Customs (Chilean Rules of Origin) Regulations 2008
- Customs (Chinese Rules of Origin) Regulation 2015
- Customs (Hong Kong Rules of Origin) Regulations 2019
- Customs (Indonesian Rules of Origin) Regulations 2019
- Customs (International Obligations) Regulation 2015
- Customs (Japanese Rules of Origin) Regulation 2014
- Customs (Korean Rules of Origin) Regulation 2014
- Customs (Malaysian Rules of Origin) Regulation 2012
- Customs (New Zealand Rules of Origin) Regulations 2006
- Customs (Pacific Islands Rules of Origin) Regulations 2018
- Customs (Peruvian Rules of Origin) Regulations 2019
- Customs (Singaporean Rules of Origin) Regulations 2017
- Customs (Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2004
- Customs (Trans-Pacific Partnership Rules of Origin) Regulations 2018
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 – DCCEEW
- Foreign Passports (Law Enforcement and Security) Act 1995 - DFAT
- Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946
- Maritime Powers Act 2013
- Maritime Powers Regulation 2014
- Maritime Powers (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013
- Migration Agents Regulation 1998
- Norfolk Island Act 1979 - DITCRD
- Passenger Movement Charge Act 1978
- Passenger Movement Charge Collection Act 1978
- Passenger Movement Charge Collection (Recovery and Refund of Charges) Regulation 2014
- Therapeutic Goods Act 1989
- Torres Strait Treaty Act 1984 – DFAT
- Customs (International Obligations) Regulation 2015
- Customs Legislation Amendment (Application of International Trade Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2004
- Customs Licensing Charges Act 1997
- Customs Undertakings (Penalties) Act 1981
- Customs (Australian Trusted Trader Programme) Rule 2015
- Customs (Indian Rules of Origin) Regulation 2022
- Customs (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Rules of Origin) 2021
- Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905
- Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Regulation 2016
- Customs (United Kingdom Rules of Origin) 2022*
- Customs Ordinance 1993 (CI)
- Customs Ordinance 1993 (CKI)
- Norfolk Island Customs Ordinance 2016
- The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006
- Excise Act 1901
- Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989
- Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act 1995
- Customs tariff (anti-dumping) act 1975
- Customs Tariff (Anti-Dumping) Regulation 2013
- Trade Marks Act 1995
Border Security, Maritime Surveillance and Immigration Detention
- Maritime Powers Act 2013
- Maritime Powers Regulation 2014
- Customs Act 1901
- Customs Regulation 2015
- Migration Act 1958
- Migration Regulations 1994
- Maritime Powers (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013
- Australian Border Force Act 2015
- Work Health & Safety Act 2012
- Privacy Act 1988
- Freedom of Information Act 1982
- Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013
Regulated community
Border Management and Revenue Systems
- Travellers entering and leaving Australia
- Tourism sector
- Small and medium enterprises
- State and territory governments
- Visa applicants and holders, Visa applicant sponsors, employers of non-citizens
- Registered Business Sponsors
- Registered Migration Agents
- Air and Sea Travellers and crew entering and leaving Australia
- Trade sector
- The general public
- Import and export businesses and agents, warehouse businesses
- Air freight, sea cargo and mail operators
- Aircraft and vessel owners and operators
- Airport and Seaport owners and operators
- Unauthorised maritime arrivals
- Customs brokers
- Tourism and cruise ship operators
- Trade compliance agencies
- Licensed depots and warehouses (incl. duty free stores)
- Licensed Customs brokers
- End-to-end trade stakeholders
- Criminals and organised crime groups, including trade- and financial-based crime
- Accredited Trusted Traders
Border Security, Maritime Surveillance and Immigration Detention
- Oil and gas industry and affiliated groups
- Submarine cable owners
- Commercial or non-commercial maritime users of the Australian Maritime Domain
- Persons embarked on maritime people smuggling ventures
- Law enforcement agencies and legislatively responsible departments
- Persons participating in criminal activity, organised crime and terrorist groups operating in and through the maritime environment
- Potential irregular immigrants and crew on board maritime people smuggling ventures
- Potential irregular immigrants and crew who have entered the Australian Migration zone as Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals
- Visa applicants and holders
- Detainees
- Visitors to detention facilities
- National detention operators
- Contractors
Portfolio
Home Affairs
Internal to department / external entity
Internal