08 October 2026
Who does this notice affect?
All clients required to use the department's Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON).
All shipping agents or operators of maritime conveyances who will be required to report pre-arrival information.
Approved arrangements operators who will be required to view electronic government certificates (eCertificates) and relevant attachments online via external verification for eCertificates (EVE), as part of document assessment for imported goods.
Approved arrangements operators, customs brokers, importers, manned depots, and freight forwarders who are required to book and manage requests for inspections through the Biosecurity Portal.
All importers of plants, cats and/or dogs who will be required to use the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS).
All importers and customs brokers who will be required to lodge imported cargo documentation to the department for biosecurity assessment.
All clients who will be required to make an online payment.
Information
Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, there will be two (2) scheduled outages up to 3 minutes each in duration to the following systems between 20:00 Friday 09 October to 02:00 Saturday 10 October 2026 (AEDT):
- BICON
- Maritime Arrival Reporting System (MARS)
- EVE
- Biosecurity Portal
- PEBS
- Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS)
- Cargo Online Lodgement System Business to Government (COLSB2G)
- Online Payment Service (OPS)
Action
BICON users are advised to complete and submit any in-progress import permit applications prior to the commencement of this planned maintenance period.
All users of the above listed systems are advised to await the completion of this planned maintenance period before attempting to access these services.
The department apologises for any inconvenience caused.