In the past malaria was endemic in the Northern Territory (NT), resulting in numerous deaths in the Aboriginal and mining communities. The last endemic case was reported in 1996, and Australia was declared malaria free in 1981. However, the Top End of the Northern Territory is still receptive to malaria. To help decrease the risk in the NT and to decrease the morbidity from malaria, a passive surveillance program has been complemented with an active screening and surveillance program for students arriving from countries with endemic malaria.