Need to know how strict the quarantine laws are when going to Tasmania on the ferry.?

Question

I am moving to Tasmania and found out a lot of things can not go over such as my hermit crabs and all my fish. I wasn't happy at all as I have had to find new homes for all my well loved pets. Fortunately they let my 2 dogs through. I also have an awesome collection of small cacti. Now I understand that their laws states that no plant/plant part or soil can be brought in but i was wondering how do they go about checking this??? I am catching the ferry across and my car will be packed up with all my gear. Do they literally go through my whole car? Do they have sniffer dogs go through them whilst the cars on the ferry? Or is this law relaxed like when you cross NSW and Vic borders and they say you must throw away all our fruit due to fruit flies but no one actually checks??? If I did take one of my prized cacti would I get found out???

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO WHINGE ABOUT HOW LAWS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AND THAT THEY ARE THERE FOR A REASON. I ALREADY UNDERSTAND THIS.

Answer 1

Tassy quarantine is far stricter that any other state.

When i brought my dogs down here a bit over 3 years ago I was told (by the Dept responsible for quarantine) I would need a certificate to say their vaccinations were up to date at that they had been professionally wormed, no body actually checked this at the time.

They are however far more vigilant on plant material and soil, and they do impose fines any anyone trying to bring them in illegally but plants are allowed into the state once they have cleared quarantine (had some roses shipped last year). I'd suggest you contact the department and explain what you want to do and see if they can work with you to find a way they are usually quite helpful

Sniffer dogs are used but more to find food stuffs