DAFF - IAN 2026-13: Plant Exports – Have Your Say on the review of the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme

27 March 2026

Purpose

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that the department has commenced public consultation on the review of the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme (AGSA) through a Have Your Say survey.

Summary of key points

• On 27 March, a review of the AGSA Scheme opened for public consultation on our Have your say platform.
• Accredited marine surveyors and industry members are invited to share their views on:
  • how the AGSA scheme is operating
  • the standard for empty bulk vessel surveys, and
  • how conflicts of interest are managed under the AGSA scheme.
• The Have Your Say survey will close on 24 April 2026.

Background

The department and the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) are conducting a review of the AGSA Scheme. The review will help shape the future operation of the scheme.

The AGSA Scheme is administered by AIMS on behalf of the department. The scheme outlines the requirements for marine surveyors to be accredited with AIMS to perform bulk vessel surveys as part of the preparation to load plant and plant products (prescribed under the Export Control Act 2020) for export. Under the scheme, anyone wishing to survey bulk vessels for this purpose must be accredited by AIMS.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please contact the Plant Export Reform Program.

Jemma Martin
Assistant Secretary
Plant Exports Branch