DAFF Engagement - SAC Pathway Activity, Biosecurity Interventions and Cost Recovery 

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) recently met with senior executives from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to address ongoing concerns relating to the Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) pathway, biosecurity intervention levels and cost recovery arrangements.

Following the meeting, FTA formally sought further clarity on a number of matters raised by members. DAFF has now responded, with the department's confirmed positions summarised below.

SAC Pathway – Increased Intervention and Risk Posture

DAFF advised that SAC volumes continue to escalate, with current intervention activity identifying a broad spectrum of biosecurity risk material, including instances of deliberate non-compliance.

The department confirmed:

• intervention levels are being increased to reflect the scale and risk profile of the SAC pathway;
• risk profiling is being refined to ensure interventions are appropriately targeted and fit for purpose;
• efficiency initiatives are being progressed, including detector dog deployment, expanded x-ray capability, modernised information systems and a pilot of the Class 14.3 approved arrangement;
• these initiatives are being advanced with industry participants and the Australian Border Force (ABF); and
• DAFF remains open to further proposals that recognise lower-risk suppliers or supply chains.

Members should expect continued scrutiny of the SAC pathway as DAFF seeks to align intervention activity with assessed biosecurity risk.

Cost Recovery – No Alternative Collection Model
FTA sought clarity on whether DAFF would consider alternative cost collection mechanisms, including a vendor-based model similar to GST collection, in response to member concerns regarding pass-through limitations.

DAFF has confirmed:

• the SAC charge is a Government-determined measure under the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding package announced in the 2023–24 Budget;
• the charge has operated for several years with high levels of compliance;
• DAFF is required to recover the efficient cost of regulatory activity in accordance with its charging policy; and
• differential or alternative cost recovery models are not currently being considered.

Members should therefore plan on the existing charging model remaining in place.

Against this backdrop, FTA notes the recent release of DAFF's Biosecurity Funding and Expenditure Report 2025–26, representing the third year of dedicated reporting on Commonwealth biosecurity funding and expenditure. The latest report provides updated funding and expenditure information across the pre-border, at-border and post-border stages of the biosecurity system, together with greater visibility of Commonwealth funding arrangements for biosecurity emergency responses and investment across key areas of the Biosecurity 2030 Roadmap.

FTA welcomes the increased transparency and will continue to closely examine biosecurity funding and expenditure to ensure that industry-funded charges are accompanied by appropriate accountability, demonstrated operational efficiencies and tangible service outcomes.

Further detail on the SAC reform program and DAFF's Cost Recovery Maturity Program is expected to be provided at the DCCC meeting in November.

Australia Post Charging – DAFF Clarification

FTA also sought confirmation on concerns raised by members as to whether Australia Post's flat-fee arrangement results in a lower cost per consignment when compared with other SAC reporters.
In response, DAFF directed industry to its published Industry Advice Notice 202-2024: Self-Assessed Clearances (SAC) cost recovery charge – One charging model for all SAC reporters, 

Next Steps
FTA will continue engagement with DAFF and ABF on:

• practical risk-reduction initiatives;
• improvements to SAC data quality;
• operational efficiencies; and
• greater transparency and maturity in cost recovery arrangements.

Members experiencing specific operational impacts, or with proposals that could support improved risk management and trade facilitation outcomes, are encouraged to provide examples to FTA for consideration as part of our ongoing advocacy and future formal submissions.