Date of publication: 13 April 2026
Attention
Stakeholders including importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders and biosecurity industry participants (approved arrangement and compliance agreement holders) vessel masters and shipping agents.
Purpose
To advise stakeholders about the changes to regulatory charges for biosecurity and imported food activities proposed to commence on 1 July 2026.
Key points
Changes to regulatory charging in 2026-27
The department reviews fees and charges annually, to support continued alignment with the cost of delivering biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities. Through the 2025-2026 annual review the department identified gaps in charging for some regulatory activities, the need for targeted price increases and opportunities to improve current cost recovery arrangements.
In 2026-27 we will:
- apply indexation to most cost recovery charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities, cost recovery charges for companion animals are proposed to increase above indexation.
- introduce new cost recovery charges for imported live garden snails housed at the Post Entry Quarantine facility.
- amend legislation to improve existing cost recovery arrangements, revising provisions for avian imports and removing redundant provisions for horse husbandry and outside ordinary hours permit assessment fees.
These changes are proposed to commence 1 July 2026.
Improvements to cost recovery for diagnostic
In 2023, the department reviewed the diagnostic activities it undertakes to assess and manage biosecurity risks associated with imported goods and conveyances. The review found that some diagnostic activities were not currently, or only partially, charged.
Subject to government approval, the department intends to improve cost recovery from 2026–27 through a phased approach to ensure sustainable funding of regulatory diagnostic services.
- Phase 1 (from 1 July 2026): Introduction of new charges for diagnostic activities associated with international vessels.
- Phase 2 (from 1 November 2026): Revised fee structure and fixed fees for most diagnostic activities undertaken for imported cargo.
These changes were originally planned for 2025 as described in 305-2024: Improving cost recovery for diagnostic activities but were delayed due to the complexity of import pathways and the need to enhance billing systems to support transparent and consistent charging.
Have your say
In 2026-27, rates for biosecurity and imported foods regulatory activities and detailed information on the proposed improvements to cost recovery will be published through the department's 'Have Your Say', platform.
The 'Have Your Say' closes, AEST 5 pm on Tuesday 5 May 2026
We invite you to review these documents on the 'Have Your Say 'page.
Instructions
Visit our website and review the changes to regulatory fees and charges.
Enquiries can be directed to the BioCRIS@aff.gov.au.