18 December 2023
Who does this notice affect?
All clients who submit documentation to the department for import assessment via the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS) or other departmental approved systems.
What has changed?
The department acknowledges that clients are currently experiencing delays in receiving their directions and advises that all efforts are being made to manage increased workloads in order to meet published service standards in the Client Service Charter while also effectively managing biosecurity and imported food risks.
What are we doing to manage workload demand?
The department has implemented a range of strategies to assist with the management of workload. These include:
- The recruitment, onboarding, and training of new biosecurity officers to assist in the management of workloads.
- The training of additional Imported Food Assessment officers continues to help address the increase in Imported Food LRNs.
- Continuation of industry requested overtime to process lodgements outside core business hours subject to resource availability.
- System enhancements to provide greater automation of services for Biosecurity and Imported Food consignments to speed up documentary assessment services and to reduce the need for client contact whilst still managing risks.
- On-going expansion of eligible Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) commodities.
- On-going expansion of the commodity eligibility list for AA Class 19.2 automatic entry processing for commodities (AEPCOMM).
What will assist?
The department would like to advise clients of information that may assist in avoiding unnecessary delays in the clearance of goods:
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