6 July 2026
Who does this notice affect?
Importers and customs brokers associated with any standard permit or non-standard permit that references the 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents'. This includes those who currently hold a permit and/or those who apply for a permit that references this list.
What is changing?
Inclusion of additional species to the 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents.'
The 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents' is a list of over 200 taxa commonly imported for laboratory use. These microorganisms and infectious agents may be used in vitro and in vivo in laboratory organisms without biosecurity containment. The department uses the list across a range of commodities, including cloning and expression vectors, viral vectors, animal fluids and tissues, and laboratory materials.
A review of microorganisms and infectious agents was commenced to consider additional taxa that pose biosecurity risks at the same level as taxa currently on the 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents.'
The review considered current biosecurity policy advice when determining the list of additional taxa. As a result of the review, the department has identified microorganisms to be included on the 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents.'
We would like to provide the opportunity for importers of microorganisms and infectious agents (and derivatives thereof) to provide feedback on the proposed additions to the list, which are listed below:
- Acidobacterium spp.
- Actinomadura?spp.
- Akkermansia?spp.
- Atopobium?spp.?
- Bacillus?circulans
- Blastocystis spp.?
- Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (polyhedrin?minus)?
- Brevundimonas?spp.?
- Burkholderia gladioli
- Burkholderia?stagnalis?
- Canine adenovirus (type 1 and 2)?
- Cupriavidus?necator
- Cutibacterium?spp.
- Delftia?spp.
- Eggerthella?spp.
- Faecalibacterium?spp.
- Finegoldia?spp.
- Fusobacterium spp.?
- Gardnerella spp.
- Gemella spp.
- Hafnia spp.?
- Haloferax?spp.
- Helicobacter pylori
- Kocuria?spp.
- Metallosphaera?spp.
- Mycoplasma?orale
- Pasteurella?multocida?(serogroup A)
- Peptostreptococcus?spp.
- Plesiomonas?shigelloides
- Plesiomonas?spp.
- Prevotella?spp.
- Protoparvovirus rodent1
- Pseudomonas?fragi
- Rothia?spp.
- Salmonella?bongori
- Schaalia?odontolytica
- Thermobifida?fusca
- Treponema spp. (excluding Treponema?paraluiscuniculi)
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Ureaplasma parvum
- Ureaplasma?urealyticum
- Yarrowia?lipolytica
To view the current 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents', please refer to the department's website - 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents.'
How will my current permit be affected?
If you currently hold an import permit that references the 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents', the department will send correspondence to impacted permit holders following consultation.
Please note that applicants can apply to import microorganisms and infectious agents that are not included on the standard list via a non-standard import permit application.
Future changes to the 'List of standard laboratory microorganisms and infectious agents:'
The department is currently assessing additional microorganisms and infectious agents that may be added to the list in the future. This will further allow importers flexibility to import a broader range of microorganisms and infectious agents and related material under permits that reference the list of standard laboratory organisms and infectious agents. Please ensure you are subscribed to BICON Alerts to remain up to date with future changes.
Providing feedback
To provide feedback, email imports@aff.gov.au with attention to 'Laboratory and Human tissues – Consultation feedback'.
Please note that suggestions for additional microorganisms and infectious agents further to the list above will not be considered at this time.
Consultation will close on 20 July 2026.
Further information
Please contact the Laboratory and Human Tissues team via email at imports@aff.gov.au or by phone on 1800 900 090.