Publication date: 17 December 2025

• Reflecting on the department's Live Information Sessions
• International News

Reflecting on recent Live Information Sessions

Thank you to all those who attended our Live Information Sessions on Australia's illegal logging laws held on 19 November 2025. We were encouraged to see such strong engagement across the sector in better understanding your obligations under Australia's illegal logging laws (Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (the Act) and Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 (the Rules)).

You can now access the recordings below.
For Importers and Processors
View: https://share.viostream.com/dicbhzwrz3m16m
Download: https://play.viostream.com/download/dicbhzwrz3m16m

For Customs Brokers
View: https://share.viostream.com/dicbhzwrz3m19w
Download: https://play.viostream.com/download/dicbhzwrz3m19w
 

Key takeaways

Understanding what is a certified timber product/raw log

• The department provides guidance in the importer and processor toolkits on how to establish that your timber product/raw log is certified for the purposes of the Rules.
•  A supplier FSC or PEFC certification does not equate to timber product/raw log certification. 
• The certified product/log risk assessment pathway can only be utilised when the timber product/raw log is certified and where the importer/processor has determined that it is certified in accordance with section 8(4) or 11(3) of the Rules.
• If a product carries both a PEFC and a FSC claim – both claims should be verified in accordance with section 8(4) (importers) for or 11(3)(processors) of the Rules. 

Frequency of due diligence

• Due diligence must be undertaken in relation to each instance regulated timber product you wish to import or process. 
• Depending on the circumstances the exception pathway may apply to the risk assessment and risk mitigation requirements to reduce the due diligence obligations for importers/processors who have imported/processed the same regulated timber product/raw log within the previous 12 months. 
• The department provides guidance on due diligence and use of the exception pathway in the FAQs (import and processing) and in the importer and processor toolkits.

Information Gathering

• Importers/processors must obtain as much of the prescribed information as is reasonably practicable before import/processing of the timber product/raw log - there is no prescribed process for how you gather the information.
• There is no exception for the information gathering obligations of the Rules - information cannot be obtained once or on any other periodic basis and relied upon for subsequent imports of timber products /processing of raw logs. Information gathering must occur before each import or processing.
• The department provides guidance in the FAQs and in the importer and processor toolkits on the information gathering obligations of the Rules.

Risk assessments

• A written risk assessment is required for the timber product/raw log and must demonstrate that all of the applicable prescribed risk factors have been considered and that the identification and assessment of risk was to a reasonable standard.
• The department provides guidance in the importer and processor toolkits on the risk assessment obligations of the Rules.

Stay Informed

Many questions raised during the live information sessions are addressed on our webpage and/or recent e-updates. In particular,  E-update 54 lists common contraventions and E-update 56 busts a range of popular myths about compliance with the law.

We're here to help

If you have any remaining questions, you can email us at illegallogging@aff.gov.au. For compliance-specific matters, please contact ilca@aff.gov.au.

We'd love your feedback

Please take a moment to complete our short Mentimeter survey to provide your feedback on our live information sessions. Your insights help us better understand stakeholder needs.
Access the survey via the link or QR code below:
https://www.menti.com/alwd5p9ohz69



International News - Illegal Logging: a globally significant issue

• In Malaysia – officials continued their crackdown on illegal logging activities in Sarawak - June 2025 – arrests and 350 logs seized, in Sabah – illegally logged timber was seized and in Kelantan timber and equipment were seized at illegal sawmills
• In Georgia (Europe) - the Forestry Department uncovered illegal logging in a state forest in Bakuriani and 123 cases of illegal forest use including illegal logging and illegal sawmills
• In June 2025, Global Voices published an article on corruption and illegal logging concerning timber trafficking from the Congo to Kenya
• India's forest departments busted an illegal timber mill in the Piazbari area of Gauripur, arrested timber smugglers in Sapdi Bhati and shut down 6 illegal timber sawmills in Meghalaya
• In Kenya – official intercepted 5 tonnes of suspected illegally logged sandalwood
• Belgian officials detected 20 cases of illegal timber imports – seizing illegal timber products from India, UAE and Cameroon
• In Indonesia, suspicious activity reported by a member of the public resulted in authorities were able to halt an illegal shipment of Meranti and mixed hardwood logs at a port in the city of Batam (Riau Islands, Indonesia)

Season's Greetings!
Our offices will be closed for the holidays from 25 December and will reopen on 2 January 2026. The department wishes you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!
 

Further information

• See the department's illegal logging website for information and resources
• Email the department's compliance branch
• Call the department during business hours (8.30 am to 5.30 pm) on 1800 657 313 or +61 2 6272 3933 outside Australia

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