FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 2025/21 - sponsored by WiseTech Academy

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:

• Revised Offshore Treatment Conditions and Certification for Khapra Beetle now in effect
  As advised in IIAN 111-2025 and IIAN 148-2025, DAFF has now implemented, effective 28 May 2025, the following three key changes to requirements for pre-border khapra beetle treatments and phytosanitary certification: 
  • Revised wording for gas permeable packaging additional declarations
  • New NPPO supervision requirement and additional declaration for treatments undertaken by a provider that is listed as suspended, under review, withdrawn or unacceptable on our lists of registered and unregistered treatment providers
  • Removal of fourth concentration sampling tube for container fumigation treatments.

• These changes apply to high-risk plant products and certain sea containers exported from khapra beetle target-risk countries.
  These changes are further detailed in the Factsheet: Khapra beetle treatments for Australian imports Upcoming changes to treatment and certification requirements. The revised conditions apply to consignments with phytosanitary certificates issued on or after 28 May 2025. A 10-week transitional period has commenced, with BICON updated accordingly. Read more HERE.

• Addition of Imported Food Safety Requirements to BICON
  From 14 June 2025, DAFF will integrate food safety requirements for imported food into the BICON system. This change provides a single platform for industry to access both biosecurity and food safety conditions.
  • Key Points:
    • Users can search food safety requirements in BICON by goods description, tariff code, or scientific name.
    • Results will appear under separate tabs for biosecurity and food safety.
    • Requirements include pre-import documentation, on-arrival testing, and post-inspection steps.
  • Benefits:
    • Simplifies compliance with a centralised information source.
    • Reduces clearance delays through clearer guidance.
    • Supports consistent processing nationwide.

• Oversize Tyres Excluded from Class 19.2 – Manual Lodgement Required
  DAFF has issued a formal reminder that oversize tyres—such as those used on mining equipment and heavy machinery—are not eligible for assessment under Approved Arrangement Class 19.2 (AEPCOMM). These tyres fall outside the scope of class 19.2 because they are not supported by a defined BICON pathway for this arrangement. Typically shipped in open-top containers or as break bulk, oversize tyres must be lodged manually through the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS) for departmental assessment.
  • Key Compliance Requirements:
    • Class 19.2 AEPCOMM codes must only be used for in-scope commodities, as confirmed in the Class 19.2 commodities webpage and relevant BICON pathways.
    • Condition 11 of the arrangement clearly states that accredited persons must verify the commodity's eligibility at the time of lodging an import declaration.
    • Use of a class 19.2 code for an out-of-scope item such as oversize tyres will be considered non-compliant and may trigger regulatory follow-up.
  • Support Contacts:
    • For clarification on Class 19 arrangements: AEPSupport@aff.gov.au
    • For tyre-specific import conditions: SeaCargoPolicy@aff.gov.au

  • Industry is urged to ensure declarations are accurate and that any oversize tyre consignments are handled via the correct assessment pathway to avoid delays or breaches.

• Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) – Update on Chinese Certification Issues
  FTA/APSA continues to engage with DAFF on behalf of members regarding inconsistencies in the assessment of Chinese treatment certificates under the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS). DAFF has acknowledged the issue, is currently addressing cases individually, and plans to issue an Industry Advice Notice (IIAN) to provide formal guidance. In the interim, members are encouraged to direct enquiries to the Offshore Treatments Team at offshoretreatments@aff.gov.au

• Green Lane Program Update – Green Lane on Hold, Alternative Schemes Available
  DAFF has confirmed that the Green Lane Program is not proceeding to full implementation at this time. Legal and cost recovery considerations are still being reviewed.
  In the meantime, DAFF is focusing on expanding existing schemes that support reduced intervention for compliant importers. These include:
             > Class 19 Approved Arrangements (19.1 Non-commodity and 19.2 Commodities)
             > Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS)
             > Highly Compliant Importer Scheme (HCI)
             > Food Import Compliance Agreement (FICA)
  DAFF is open to working directly with importers to assess eligibility for these existing low-intervention pathways, based on compliance history.

• Tasmanian Abalone Export Restrictions – Catch Zones Closed
  Effective 2 June 2025, DAFF has advised that several Tasmanian abalone catch zones are now closed to harvesting due to restrictions by Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Export of abalone (live, chilled, frozen, canned, or viscera) from the specified zones is prohibited. Exporters must record source block numbers and include declarations confirming abalone are not from biotoxin-affected areas, as required under the Export Control Act 2020. Read more HERE.

• eCert Update – Sri Lanka Joins ePhyto Paperless Import Exchange
  Effective 28 May 2025, DAFF has expanded its use of electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto) to include Sri Lanka, alongside existing paperless import arrangements with New Zealand, the USA, and South Korea. This means grain and horticulture consignments from Sri Lanka will now be cleared using secure ePhyto certificates exchanged via the IPPC Hub, removing the need for paper documents. Importers, customs brokers, and class 19.2 accredited persons must continue to provide accurate ePhyto details during declarations, with certificates viewable via the Biosecurity Portal's EVE system. This modernisation improves efficiency, reduces fraud risk, and accelerates document processing in line with global digital trade practices. Read more HERE.

• Tasmanian Abalone Export Restrictions – Catch Zones Closed
  Effective 2 June 2025, DAFF has advised that several Tasmanian abalone catch zones are now closed to harvesting due to restrictions by Tasmania's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Export of abalone (live, chilled, frozen, canned, or viscera) from the specified zones is prohibited. Exporters must record source block numbers and include declarations confirming abalone are not from biotoxin-affected areas, as required under the Export Control Act 2020. Read more HERE.

• Nominations Open for 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards
  Nominations are now open for the 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards, recognising individuals and organisations making significant contributions to protecting Australia's biosecurity system. There are nine award categories, including science, industry, government, First Nations, community, and education.
  Nominations can be made online and close 9am AEST, Monday 30 June 2025.
  Notably, FTA's own John Park was honoured with the Industry Award in 2024—highlighting the calibre of past recipients. More details and nomination forms are available via the Australian Biosecurity Awards website. Winners will be announced later in 2025. Read more HERE.

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2025-2026 FTA Online CPD & CBC Training Packages

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

• Nil recent reviews or suspensions for this week

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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