| 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 edition of the Biosecurity Report highlights key developments in biosecurity technology, system modernisation and international agricultural engagement. Stakeholder survey findings on the future of fumigation monitoring technology confirm strong industry support for digital monitoring solutions, with insights to inform future regulatory settings. Biosecurity Industry Reporting has also expanded within the Biosecurity Portal, improving visibility of cargo status, interventions and Approved Arrangement utilisation under the STEPS modernisation program.
Maritime reforms continue, with written Pre-Arrival Reports now mandatory for all non-commercial vessels, strengthening risk profiling and inspection preparedness, alongside an upcoming BIIS notification email address change. Broader insights from ABARES and APEC engagements reinforce the resilience of Australian agriculture and ongoing regional collaboration on food security, sustainable trade and illegal logging compliance, reflecting a continued shift toward technology-enabled compliance and strengthened international cooperation. We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary - Publication of Survey Findings: The Future of Fumigation Monitoring Technology
The Department has published a report summarising stakeholder feedback received through the Have Your Say survey on the discussion paper The Future of Biosecurity Fumigation Monitoring Technology.
The survey formed part of the department's early exploratory work into potential future regulatory settings for monitoring biosecurity fumigations.
Key Themes Identified Include: - Broad industry support for the adoption of emerging fumigation monitoring technologies.
- Recognition of operational benefits, including improved efficiency, regulatory compliance, and supply chain transparency.
- Upfront investment costs identified as a key consideration for industry participants.
What this means for Industry: - No new regulatory requirements have been introduced.
- The findings will inform the department's preliminary policy thinking and future regulatory considerations.
- Broader stakeholder consultation is anticipated to occur throughout 2026.
The full report and discussion paper are available via the Have Your Say – The Future of Biosecurity Fumigation Technology webpage.
For further information or to participate in ongoing consultation, stakeholders can contact the Offshore Treatments Team via: offshoretreatments@aff.gov.au.
- Biosecurity Industry Reporting Now Available on the Biosecurity Portal for Email Users
Biosecurity Industry Reporting is now live within the Biosecurity Portal for email-login users, expanding access beyond myID users.
Approved Arrangement Managers can grant access via Contacts in AAMP, enabling accredited persons to securely view and share brokerage reporting data.
Key Functionality Includes: - Cargo Status Reporting – visibility of in-progress entries, directions, and intervention status.
- Fee Reporting – record of service view of intervention-related fees (not an official invoice).
- AA Class 19.2 Usage Reporting – insights into lodgement volumes, errors, and uptake.
What this means for Industry: - Improved consignment visibility.
- Enhanced cost transparency.
- Greater oversight of AA Class 19.2 utilisation.
This enhancement forms part of the Simplified Targeting and Enhanced Processing Systems (STEPS) Program modernisation initiative.
Further Information:
Help materials are available via LearnHub.
Enquiries: STEPS@aff.gov.au. Read more HERE.
- Biosecurity Non-Commercial Vessel Update – Mandatory Written Pre-Arrival Reports
The Department has announced an update requiring all Pre-Arrival Reports (PARs) for non-commercial vessels to be submitted in writing via DAFF's Non-Commercial Vessel Portal. Verbal PAR submissions will no longer be accepted.
This measure aims to: - Improve consistency in pre-arrival reporting
- Strengthen biosecurity risk controls (including yachts)
- Enhance preparedness for vessel inspections
- Streamline reporting through a single online system
Industry was previously notified via Import Industry Advice Notice 346-2025, with a reminder notice scheduled for 26 February 2026.
Supporting Guidance:
To assist operators, DAFF has released educational resources on the Non-Commercial Vessel webpage, including: - Animated video guidance
- "Starting on the Right Tack" checklist
- Biosecurity process diagram
- Coming soon: PAR submission visual guide
Arrival and Inspection Requirements: - Inspections occur in safe conditions during daylight operational hours only
- Late arrivals must remain onboard until inspection
- Negative pratique applies until human health risks are assessed
- Goods (including waste) must not be removed without approval
- Pets must be declared and secured
- Vessels must be fully accessible for inspection
Arrival Reporting Obligations:
Operators must report arrival to both DAFF and the Australian Border Force (ABF).
PARs must be lodged: - No earlier than 90 days prior to arrival
- No less than 12 hours before arrival
Separate ABF arrival reporting requirements also apply.
Biofouling – Upcoming Changes:
From late May 2026, vessel operators will be able to proactively manage biofouling using three approved treatment options. Proactive management is expected to reduce intervention on arrival and lower compliance costs. Find additional information HERE.
- BIIS Email Address Change for Approved Arrangements Notifications
From 27 February 2026, the email address used to issue BIIS automated system notifications will change.
Emails currently sent from: noreply@aff.gov.au
Will instead be issued from: biis.noreply@aff.gov.au
Due to updated security requirements, the existing noreply@aff.gov.au address will no longer be used for BIIS communications.
If organisations do not update their systems, email rules or whitelists, they may stop receiving critical biosecurity notifications issued via BIIS.
To ensure continuity of BIIS communications, industry should: - Update whitelists, filters and automated processing rules to recognise biis.noreply@aff.gov.au
- Confirm email systems accept messages from the aff.gov.au domain
For assistance, contact the Approved Arrangements Program:
aa.canberra@aff.gov.au / 1800 900 090
- Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2026
ABARES has released the Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2026 – Insights, confirming continued long-term growth and resilience across the sector.
Key Findings Include: - Australian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have grown 45% over the past 20 years, increasing in real terms from $69.3 billion in 2004-05 to $100.3 billion in 2024-25.
- The value of production in 2024-25 is the third highest on record in real terms.
- Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry exports were valued at $80.2 billion last financial year (real terms).
- China and the United States remain Australia's largest export markets, accounting for approximately:
- 21% ($17 billion) – China
- 12% ($9.3 billion) – United States
Growth has been largely supported by strong livestock and livestock product prices.
The report highlights that the sector continues to outperform the broader Australian economy in productivity: - Cropping productivity growth averaged 1.6% per year (1977-78 to 2023-24).
- Specialist sheep and beef industries averaged 0.5% and 0.6% annual productivity growth respectively.
In addition: - 92% of broadacre and dairy farms used at least one natural resource management practice over the three years to 2023-24.
- 18% of farms expect to adopt new natural resource or emissions-reduction activities within the next two years.
As net zero policies progress, carbon sequestration is expected to expand, presenting diversification and revenue opportunities for farmers while supporting emissions reduction goals.
The Snapshot reinforces that: - Australia's agricultural export base remains strong and diversified.
- Trade volumes remain significant, particularly to China and the United States.
- Productivity growth and sustainability measures are becoming embedded across the sector.
- Net zero policy settings may influence future land use patterns, carbon markets and agricultural investment.
Further Information:
The ABARES Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2026 – Insights paper is available here: Snapshot reveals Aussie agriculture's 20-year boom - DAFF.
The ABARES Outlook 2026 will be held on 3–4 March 2026. The Department has issued a reminder email for the event, which takes place in person and online virtually. Find out more HERE.
- APEC Senior Officials' Meetings for 2026
The Department recently participated in the first suite of APEC Senior Officials' Meetings for 2026, held in Guangzhou, China, alongside government and private sector representatives. The Australian delegation engaged in meetings, workshops and field visits focused on strengthening regional partnerships and reinforcing Australia's role in supporting sustainable, science-based and rules-driven agri-food trade systems.
Key Discussion Outcomes:
1. Food Security & Supply Chains:
At the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security, discussions centred on: - Strengthening regional food security frameworks
- Enhancing supply chain resilience
- Leveraging research, innovation and investment
- Expanding public–private partnerships
Australia's Research & Development Corporation (RDC) co-investment model attracted significant interest as a practical mechanism to translate research into real-world agricultural outcomes.
2. Investment Activation:
Delegates highlighted the need to mobilise private capital, not just policy, to address food security challenges, including: - Funding agri-technology innovation
- Supporting start-ups
- Building climate and production resilience
3. Oceans, Fisheries & Forestry Cooperation:
Through the APEC Oceans and Fisheries Working Group, discussions focused on: - Sustainable fisheries growth
- Responsible marine resource management
- Regional economic integration
4. Illegal Logging:
Australia participated in the APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT), advancing cooperation on: - Legal timber trade
- Combating illegal logging
- Promoting sustainable forest product supply chains
These discussions align with Australia's broader regulatory and compliance focus on preventing trade in illegally harvested timber.
The various meetings highlighted a strong and ongoing commitment to regional collaboration across key trade and biosecurity priorities. Discussions reinforced the importance of strengthening food security and supply chain resilience. There was also a continued emphasis on promoting sustainable fisheries and forestry trade, supported by enhanced international cooperation to combat and ensure compliance with illegal logging requirements. Outcomes may influence future trade frameworks, sustainability requirements and regional investment flows impacting agricultural and forestry supply chains.
Further Information:
APEC meetings will continue throughout 2026, culminating in APEC Leaders' Week in November. Read more HERE. |