| 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 in Biosecurity
This week's update brings together several important DAFF releases, including the latest RAMs Newsletter outlining strong export-sector performance and AO support activities, the release of Part 1 of the Draft Khapra Beetle PRA, new modernised Biosecurity Obligations for Aircraft, updated guidelines for evaluating overseas pre-export prawn testing programs, and DAFF's confirmation that no Class 19 CBC activity will run for 2025–26.
DAFF has also announced a new System Notifications webpage for biosecurity IT outages, issued a comprehensive BMSB update ahead of the festive season, and published its December-January holiday shutdown operating hours. Members are encouraged to review the detailed changes to ensure operational readiness across the busy end of year period.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary - Regional Authorised Officer Management (RAMs) July to September 2025 Newsletter
The Department has released its latest RAMs Newsletter, highlighting strong activity across Australia's plant-export sector and continued support for exporters through the Regional Authorised Officer Management (RAM) network. Grain and horticulture exports remained robust during the quarter, with favourable seasonal conditions contributing to solid yields across WA, NSW and QLD. Export programs reported increased throughput for citrus, berries, avocados and hay, alongside steady demand for AO inspection and verification services.
RAMs completed 817 assurance visits and handled 1,261 client enquiries, with notable increases in export-program visits and revised assurance activities. The network also provided hands-on assistance to AOs and industry—resolving system issues in PEMS, delivering tailored export-legislation workshops, and supporting businesses preparing for protocol-market shipments.
Engagement remained strong nationwide, including the national EDI User Forum attended by more than 340 participants, followed by regional sessions focused on improving data quality, documentation practices and readiness for the upcoming NEXDOC enhancements. RAMs also participated in technical market-access discussions with visiting Thai officials, reinforcing confidence in Australia's irradiation treatment and export-certification pathways.
Overall, the quarter reflects a stable export outlook, ongoing investment in digital systems, and continued collaboration between industry, AOs and the Department to maintain compliant, efficient market-access pathways. Read more HERE.
- Draft PRA for Khapra Beetle (Part 1) Released
Part 1 of the Draft Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for khapra beetle has been released, focusing specifically on the plant product pathway. Part 2, addressing the sea container pathway, will be released separately.
Khapra beetle remains one of the world's most destructive storage pests, ranked as the number one threat to Australia's grain industry. Australia currently has emergency measures in place to reduce the risk of entry.
The draft PRA proposes that: - all seven current emergency measures for plant products be retained as ongoing requirements, and
- one additional measure be introduced for plant products imported for research purposes.
The draft also recommends several amendments, including: - updated phytosanitary certification wording,
- expanding the target-risk country list to include eight additional countries,
- removing Trogoderma serraticorne from the list of concern, and
- revised offshore treatment provider registration requirements.
The draft PRA is now open for 92 days of public consultation, closing 27 February 2026. Current emergency measures will remain in place until the PRA is finalised, with the Department noting that urgent changes may be made earlier if new evidence emerges. Read more HERE.
- Modernisation of Guidelines for Aircraft Arriving in Australia
The Department has released the modernised Biosecurity Obligations for Aircraft Arriving in Australian Territory, which immediately replaces the previous Guidelines for Airlines and Aircraft Arriving in Australian Territory.
The updated document provides clear, simplified and accessible guidance to help airlines, aircraft operators, and ground handling agents meet their biosecurity obligations under Australian law. It is structured around the three key phases of an international aircraft's arrival: - Prior to departing the last overseas port
- En route to Australia
- On arrival in Australia
The Department confirmed that no operational changes have been introduced, with existing policy settings remaining in place. The updated document simply modernises and clarifies requirements and associated penalties.
Airlines and operators must destroy all saved or printed versions of the old guidelines and refer exclusively to the new Biosecurity Obligations document, now available on DAFF's website. Additional "Final Approach" fact sheets are also available to support industry. Read more HERE.
- Evaluation Guidelines for Overseas Pre-Export Testing Programs for Uncooked Prawns
New guidelines for the evaluation of overseas pre-export testing programs covering uncooked prawns exported to Australia have been released. These guidelines outline the principles and criteria Australia will apply when assessing whether a trading partner's pre-export testing regime can be recognised as equivalent to Australia's requirements.
This follows the 2023 Review of the biosecurity risks of prawns imported for human consumption, which confirmed the existing import conditions. Standard requirements remain unchanged: prawns must be processed (head and shell removed, tail fan allowed), frozen, and deveined, with each batch undergoing testing for white spot syndrome virus and yellow head virus genotype 1, both pre-export and on arrival in Australia.
In line with Australia's obligations under Article 4 of the WTO SPS Agreement, trading partners may request recognition of equivalence. Any such request will trigger a comprehensive evaluation of the exporting country's competent authority, including oversight, capability, and assurance systems.
Stakeholders can request a copy of the guidelines or seek further information by contacting aquaticbiosecurity@aff.gov.au. Subscription options for ongoing policy updates are available via the Department's Biosecurity Risk Analysis Animal mailing list. Read more HERE.
- DAFF CBC Update for 2025–26
DAFF has advised that it will not be running an Approved Arrangement Class 19 Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) activity for the 2025–26 CBC period (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026). Further communication will be issued by the Department once the next CBC activity schedule is confirmed.
DAFF has noted that the decision may affect accredited persons' ability to secure Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, prompting a need for customs brokers to review their current CPD status.
FTA Advice to Members:
FTA strongly recommends that all brokers download and review their FTA CPD Attainment Statement to ensure progress toward the required 30 CPD points. As a reminder: - Unlimited points may be earned in Stream A
- A maximum of 12 points may be earned in Stream B
Given the absence of a DAFF CBC activity, members may need to complete additional Stream A topics online to meet their obligations. Read more HERE.
- New DAFF 'System Notifications' Webpage for Biosecurity IT Outages
DAFF has announced that, from Friday 12 December 2025, all biosecurity import system outage notifications will move from the existing Import Industry Advice Notice (IIAN) pages to a new, dedicated 'System Notifications' webpage. This change aims to separate routine biosecurity import updates from IT outage alerts, improving visibility and aligning processes with DAFF's export systems.
Key Changes: - From 12 December 2025:
- System outage notifications will be published only on the new 'System notifications' webpage.
- A new subscription category is now available: Import News ? Import system notifications via DAFF's subscription centre.
- Transition Period (to 31 January 2026):
Biosecurity Industry Participants who currently subscribe to IIANs will continue receiving outage notifications during the transition. - From 1 February 2026:
Only those subscribed to 'Import system notifications' will receive email alerts for biosecurity import system outages. Website Notice Management: - IIANs issued 1 Jan – 12 Dec 2025 will remain online.
- IIANs issued before 1 Jan 2025 will be removed.
- New system outage notices (post-12 Dec 2025) will appear on the new webpage and be retained for 12 months.
No changes apply to broader IIANs covering general importing topics, those will continue to be published and emailed as usual.
Further IIANs will follow once the new webpage is live and as the transition progresses. Read more HERE.
- BMSB Update – NUFT Rules, Break Bulk Requirements & Festive-Season Risks
This week, DAFF has released important reminders for the 2025–26 BMSB season, including updated NUFT criteria, break bulk requirements, mixed goods risks, and the end of the 120-hour post-treatment window for goods treated after 1 December 2025.
NUFT Goods:
Goods may use a NUFT declaration (and avoid mandatory treatment) where: - Manufacture starts on or after 1 December;
- Goods fall under tariff chapters 82, 84–89;
- A compliant NUFT declaration confirms the goods are "new, unused and not field tested" and includes the manufacture start date.
NUFT applies to sealed containers, break bulk, and LCL/FAK. Incorrect or incomplete declarations may result in onshore treatment (where allowed) or export. Break Bulk, Open Tops & Flat Racks:
Target high-risk break bulk must be treated offshore. Untreated goods discharged in Australia will be directed for export, with no onshore treatment options. If identified prior to discharge, cargo will be held onboard for export.
Mixed Goods Consignments:
Containers with any target high-risk promotional or gift items (common during the festive season) will trigger full BMSB measures. Deconsolidation before treatment is not permitted; if the container cannot be treated, it will be exported.
120-Hour Post-Treatment Window:
The 120-hour export/sealing window remains only for goods treated before 1 December.
It does not apply to goods treated on or after 1 December or to treatments in non-risk countries.
Read more HERE.
- DAFF Holiday Shutdown Operating Hours
The Departments December 2025 to January 2026 holiday operating arrangements have been released.
The Canberra office and switchboard will close from COB 24 December 2025 and re-open 2 January 2026. Online lodgement systems remain available, but regulatory services will only be delivered during the reduced operating hours outlined in the notice.
Key points for importers and brokers: - 24 December 2025: Final day of normal operations.
- 25–26 December 2025 & 27–28 December 2025: Offices closed; only limited regulatory services available. Import/export inspections for these dates must be booked by 19 December 2025.
- Requests for after-hours document assessment or treatment-result assessments must be lodged before 11am on 24 December 2025, subject to officer availability.
- 29–31 December 2025: Limited regulatory capacity with overtime charges applying.
- 1 January 2026: Closed.
- 2 January 2026: Full operations resume.
Exports document assessment:
Closed on 25–26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. Open 29–31 December 2025 with normal service standards (1 business day for air freight, 3 days for sea freight). Overtime requests must be submitted using the required subject line and deadlines.
General reminders: - SAC assessments will continue as normal through the shutdown.
- Overtime fees apply for services delivered on weekends/public holidays.
- Pest or disease concerns should be reported to 1800 798 636 (See. Secure. Report.).
Members are encouraged to plan ahead to avoid delays during the holiday period. Read more HERE.
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