FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 2025/20 - sponsored by EcoTreat

Welcome to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Report, your one-stop update on the latest operational issues and notices issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This report is designed to keep you informed and prepared to manage biosecurity compliance effectively in an ever-changing landscape.

This Week's Summary

Here are the key developments for this week:

• Future of Biosecurity Fumigation Monitoring: Discussion Paper - Have Your Say
  DAFF has now publicly released a new discussion paper and survey exploring technological solutions to improve fumigation monitoring in Australia's biosecurity regime. FTA and the Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) have been closely involved in shaping this dialogue over the past five years, providing critical feedback on treatment methodologies and operational impacts. This latest consultation invites industry to contribute to the development of more accurate, transparent, and effective monitoring technologies. Submissions to the Have Your Say survey close 2 June 2025. Read more HERE.

• Additional self-service industry report for fees now available on the Biosecurity Portal
  A new self-service report is now live on the Biosecurity Portal, enabling Approved Arrangement Class 19 accredited persons to access detailed records of service (fees) for individual consignments. The report includes brokerage, importer, service, and payment details, helping users invoice clients more efficiently and reduce enquiries to the department. This enhancement follows the earlier release of cargo status reporting and forms part of the Simplified Targeting and Enhanced Processing Systems (STEPS) Program. Read more HERE.

• SAC Cost Recovery Charge to Increase from 1 July 2025
  From 1 July 2025, the SAC (Self-Assessed Clearance) cost recovery charge will increase to 37 cents per declaration, in line with annual indexation under DAFF's regulatory framework. The existing exemption for reporters lodging 277 or fewer SAC declarations in a quarter will remain unchanged. This update follows DAFF's annual review of biosecurity and imported food regulatory charges. Read more HERE.

• ANAO Report Tabled in Parliament: Biosecurity Workforce Delivery Under Scrutiny
  The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has released Report No. 32 (2024–25), tabled in Parliament on 21 May 2025, assessing the DAFF's delivery of the biosecurity workforce as only partly effective. The performance audit highlights shortcomings in workforce planning, skills tracking, scheduling, and data management. While DAFF has developed enterprise and group-level strategies, key gaps remain in aligning workforce capability with risk, maintaining continuity plans, and ensuring biosecurity officers are properly authorised and competent. Seven recommendations were made — all accepted by DAFF — with remedial work underway through the Transformation Action Plan. Further information and access to the full report is available HERE.

• Multiple Scheduled System Outages to Impact DAFF and ICS Systems
  DAFF has advised of several scheduled maintenance windows that will impact access to key biosecurity systems. Users are encouraged to plan around these outages and delay activity until maintenance is complete:
     > Wednesday 28 May – Thursday 29 May (23:00–02:00 AEST):
  Intermittent outages expected across COLS, OPS and PEBS. BICON and MARS will remain available, though users may experience payment and invoice errors.
     > Friday 30 May (20:00–23:30 AEST):
  AAMP will be unavailable during this period.
     > Saturday 31 May – Sunday 1 June (23:00–04:00 AEST):
  An ICS outage will impact DAFF messaging, causing delays in responses for FID, SACs (LFSAC, SFSAC, CRSAC, PE), and EXDOC/NEXDOC transactions.
     > Saturday 31 May – Sunday 1 June (23:00–03:00 AEST):
  Broader maintenance will cause intermittent access issues across multiple systems, including AAMP, BICON, the Biosecurity Portal, BCST, eCerts, EVE, EXDOC/NEXDOC, MARS and PEBS.
  All users are advised to plan around these outages. No further action is required beyond avoiding system use during these windows.

• New Learnhub Help Card on Methyl Bromide Transition Now Available
  A new help card in the Learnhub catalogue titled: Methyl bromide certificates transition period is now available on Learnhub to assist accredited persons with assessing methyl bromide fumigation certificates during the transition to the updated methodology. The resource outlines key considerations during the changeover period and is intended to support consistent application of the new requirements. Accredited persons can access it by logging into Learnhub. Login instructions to access Learnhub are available HERE.

• China Phytosanitary Certificate Templates Changing from 11 June
  New certificate templates will apply for horticulture (H16CN) and grain/seed (E16CN) exports to China from 11 June 2025. Exporters must finalise any active Request for Permits (RFPs) to COMP status by 6:00pm AEST on 10 June. After this date, the old H16 and E16 templates will no longer be accepted in EXDOC. The update aims to streamline documentation processes and maintain smooth trade with China. Read more HERE.

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2025-2026 FTA CPD Border Compliance Program Launch

• Meeting 100 2024 – Communique 
• Meeting 99 2024 – FNL Minutes 

Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG)

On 1 July 2020, Freight & Trade Alliance established the Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) designed to provide a One Voice platform for treatment providers to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to deliver nationally consistent advocacy position(s) to government to lead reform and implement best practice. You can read our terms of reference HERE.
If you would like more information, please contact John Park.  The value of the group has been acknowledged by DAFF as can be seen HERE.


As always, we encourage members to share their feedback and insights to help us identify issues and advocate for improvements on your behalf.

Tom Jensen - General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA

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