Detector Dog Program - Working with dogs to help protect Australia

Customs Detector Dog Program plays an important role in helping to protect Australia from prohibited imports such as drugs, firearms and explosives. Detector dog teams are trained to find goods hidden in luggage, parcels, mail, cargo containers, vessels, vehicles, aircraft and on people.

In the past, detector dog teams were trained to find only narcotics. In 2003, in response to the need to strengthen security requirements at Australia's border, the Detector Dog Program was expanded to include firearms and component parts, ammunition, explosives and chemical precursors. This initiative drew on the experience of both domestic and international agencies.

Customs detector dogs also support Federal, State and Territory police and other government agencies in search operations.

Customs is continually looking for ways to improve training methods and new applications for detector dog teams. This includes currency detection.