DAFF - IIAN : 106-2026 Commencement of changes to regulatory charges for biosecurity and imported foods

29 June 2026

Who does this notice affect?

Stakeholders including importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders and biosecurity industry participants (approved arrangement and compliance agreement holders) vessel masters and shipping agents.

Changes to regulatory charging in 2026-27

This advice informs industry of the 1 July 2026 commencement of changes to regulatory charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities.

Indexation

In 2026, we will apply indexation to most cost recovery charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities, in accordance with legislative provisions introduced in 2023.

Most charges will increase by 3.8 per cent.

New prices have been published in the 2026-27 Biosecurity Cost Recovery Implementation Statement and pricing tables.

New price points and legislative amendments

From 1 July 2026 new cost recovery charges and changes to biosecurity charging legislation will commence. These include:

• increases to cost recovery charges for companion animals above the indexation rate.
• new cost recovery charges for imported live garden snails housed at the Post Entry Quarantine facility.
• revised cost recovery provisions for avian imports
• removal of the horse husbandry overstay, and outside ordinary hours permit assessment fees.

Further information about these changes is included in the 2026-27 Biosecurity Cost Recovery Implementation Statement.

Improvements to cost recovery for diagnostics

We will introduce improvements to cost recovery for regulatory diagnostic services through a phased approach during 2026–27:

• Phase 1 - new charges for diagnostic activities associated with international vessels commences 1 July 2026.
• Phase 2 – we are proposing to implement a revised fee structure, including fixed fees for most diagnostic activities relating to imported cargo, which is expected to commence 1 November 2026.

Further information on improvements to cost recovery for diagnostics is available on our Biosecurity cost recovery implementation statements page.

Further information

Further information on new prices and proposed changes is available on our Biosecurity cost recovery implementation statements webpage.

Enquiries can be directed to the BioCRIS@aff.gov.au.