DAFF - FTA/APSA Biosecurity Report 45 - 10/11/2026 Sponsored by FumeWest

Welcome to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Report, your one-stop update on the latest operational issues and notices issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This report is designed to keep you informed and prepared to manage biosecurity compliance effectively in an ever-changing landscape.

This Week in Biosecurity

This week's biosecurity and trade developments have a strong operational focus, with DAFF warning industry to prepare for its peak demand period for import document assessment and inspection activity. Customs brokers should also note an immediate compliance deadline, with CBC Activity 2026-2027/02 required to be completed in LearnHub by today, 10 November 2026.
 
The most significant operational issue for importers and customs brokers is DAFF's IIAN 193-2026: Peak Demand period for Import Document Assessment and Inspection activity. The notice highlights the increased pressure expected on import document assessment and inspection services during the peak period. Brokers and importers should plan ahead, lodge documentation as early as practicable and build sufficient lead time into clearance arrangements, particularly for urgent, time-sensitive or inspection-dependent consignments. Potential assessment and inspection delays should also be factored into advice provided to clients.
 
For customs brokers, there is also an important deadline today. CBC Activity 2026-2027/02 must be completed in LearnHub by 10 November 2026. Brokers who have not yet completed the activity should prioritise this requirement today to ensure their Continuing Broker Education obligations remain up to date.
 
Other import developments included guidance on requesting the release of international aircraft from biosecurity control and an extension of DAFF's consultation on the import pathway for assistance animals, covering cats and dogs. The consultation extension provides stakeholders with additional time to contribute to the development of the pathway.
 
BICON activity was comparatively limited this week, with no new case alerts. Case changes were largely administrative or clarification-focused. From 7 November, permit application forms for mangosteen, jujubes and pomegranate for human consumption include an additional question to collect information required before permit assessment can commence. For standard permit applications, the initial assessment fee must be paid before assessment begins for each fruit and country of origin.
 
The BICON commodity case"Recombinant proteins for human end uses" was also renamed"Recombinant proteins for human consumption and human cosmetics", with the description revised to provide greater clarity about the goods covered by the pathway. Separately, evidence requirements under"Animal trophies, articles and handicraft items" were updated to allow a supplier's declaration confirming the age and preservation status of eligible specimens as an additional evidence option for certain museum, scientific institute and public exhibition imports.
 
DAFF system availability continued to present an operational consideration, with a series of scheduled outages and service disruptions affecting multiple systems between 4 and 8 November. This included an urgent scheduled service disruption over the 7 to 8 November weekend. COLS and COLSB2G services were also confirmed as restored following an earlier disruption, while another planned disruption was cancelled.
 
There were no new AFAS reviews or treatment provider suspensions reported this week, providing some respite following the offshore treatment provider compliance activity highlighted in recent editions.
 
On the export front, this week's update concerned amendments to the Export Control (Tariff Rate Quotas - Sheepmeat and Goatmeat Export to the European Union and United Kingdom) Rules 2021. Exporters operating in these markets should familiarise themselves with the amended tariff rate quota arrangements and consider any implications for quota applications and forward export planning.
 
Overall, peak-period preparedness is the key message for industry this week. With DAFF flagging increased demand for import document assessments and inspections, customs brokers and importers should lodge early where possible, allow additional time for DAFF intervention and communicate potential delays to clients before they affect supply-chain commitments. For customs brokers, the priority is even more immediate: ensure CBC Activity 2026-2027/02 is completed in LearnHub by today, 10 November 2026.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.

Summary

Import Updates 

Import activity this week focused on preparations for peak demand in import document assessment and inspection services, procedures for releasing international aircraft from biosecurity control, and consultation on the import pathway for assistance animals.
 
DAFF has advised industry of an upcoming peak demand period for import document assessment and inspection activity, highlighting the potential for increased workloads and impacts on normal processing timeframes. Importers and customs brokers should factor possible assessment and inspection delays into clearance planning, particularly for time-sensitive consignments. DAFF - IIAN : 193-2026 Peak Demand period for Import Document Assessment and Inspection activity
 
Guidance was also issued on requesting the release of international aircraft from biosecurity control, providing updated information for industry participants involved in international aircraft arrival and biosecurity clearance processes. DAFF - IIAN : 192-2026 Requesting release from biosecurity control for international aircraft
 
In addition, DAFF has extended its Have Your Say consultation on the import pathway for assistance animals, covering cats and dogs. The extension provides stakeholders with additional time to contribute feedback on the pathway and its requirements. DAFF - IIAN : 191-2026 Have Your Say on the import pathway for assistance animals (cats and dogs) has been extended
 
Overall, this week's notices have a strong operational focus, particularly around managing potential clearance delays during the peak demand period. Importers and brokers should plan ahead for document assessments and inspections and ensure sufficient lead time is allowed for consignments requiring DAFF intervention.

 

Export Updates

This week's export update focused on changes to tariff rate quota arrangements for Australian sheepmeat and goatmeat exports to the European Union and United Kingdom.
 
DAFF advised amendments to the Export Control (Tariff Rate Quotas - Sheepmeat and Goatmeat Export to the European Union and United Kingdom) Rules 2021, affecting the regulatory framework governing access to these export quotas. DAFF - IAN : 26-21: Tariff Rate Quotas - Amendments to the Export Control (Tariff Rate Quotas - Sheepmeat and Goatmeat Export to the European Union and United Kingdom ) Rules 2021
 
Exporters of sheepmeat and goatmeat to these markets should ensure they are familiar with the amended quota arrangements and consider any implications for future quota applications and export planning.
 

System Notifications - Outages, Service Disruptions and Restorations

This week's system notifications were again dominated by scheduled outages and service disruptions across multiple DAFF systems, with maintenance activity spanning 4 to 8 November 2026. The notices indicate a continuing period of system maintenance, including several overlapping disruptions and an urgent scheduled disruption extending across the weekend.
 
Notifications included scheduled outages and service disruptions affecting multiple systems from 5 to 7 November, followed by an urgent scheduled service disruption from Saturday 7 November to Sunday 8 November. This extended the potential for system unavailability and processing delays across the weekend.
 
There were also changes to previously advised system availability. DAFF - ISN : 235-2026 Services Restored: Thursday 05 November 2026 - COLS & COLSB2G confirmed that services for COLS and COLSB2G had been restored, while a separate scheduled service disruption planned for 4 to 5 November was cancelled.
 
Overall, the notifications point to another concentrated period of DAFF system maintenance. Industry participants should continue to monitor system notifications and allow for possible system unavailability, processing delays and flow-on impacts when planning lodgements and other time-sensitive activities.

 

BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates 

This week's BICON case updates were relatively limited, with no new case alerts issued. Changes focused on fresh produce permit applications, clarification of the scope of the recombinant protein pathway, and additional flexibility in evidence requirements for certain animal specimens.
 
The most immediate administrative change affects fresh produce permit applications. From 7 November 2026, permit application forms for mangosteen, jujubes and pomegranate for human consumption include an additional question to collect information required before assessment can commence. For standard permit applications, the initial assessment fee must be paid before assessment begins for each fruit and country of origin. The update applies across a range of fresh and semi-processed fruit and vegetable BICON cases and is intended to streamline permit administration.
 
Also from 7 November 2026, the BICON commodity case "Recombinant proteins for human end uses" has been renamed "Recombinant proteins for human consumption and human cosmetics." The case description has been revised to more clearly define the goods covered, giving importers greater clarity when determining the biosecurity conditions applying to recombinant proteins intended for human consumption or use in human cosmetics.
 
A further change, effective 6 November 2026, provides additional flexibility for animal specimens imported for use or display by museums, scientific institutes or public exhibitions. Under the BICON case "Animal trophies, articles and handicraft items," importers may now use a supplier's declaration confirming the age and preservation status of eligible specimens as an additional form of evidence. This expands the available evidence options without changing the underlying pathway for these goods.
 
Overall, this week's changes are primarily administrative and clarification-focused rather than significant changes to import conditions. Fresh produce importers should pay particular attention to the revised permit application requirements, while brokers handling recombinant proteins or museum and exhibition specimens should ensure they are working from the updated BICON cases.
 

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2026-2027 FTA Online CPD Training Packages

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC)

• Meeting 104 2026 – Communique
• Meeting 104 2026 – Minutes

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):

Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG)

On 1 July 2020, Freight & Trade Alliance established the Biosecurity Treatment Providers Reference Group (BTPRG) designed to provide a One Voice platform for treatment providers to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to deliver nationally consistent advocacy position(s) to government to lead reform and implement best practice. You can read our terms of reference HERE.
If you would like more information, please contact John Park.  The value of the group has been acknowledged by DAFF as can be seen HERE.

As always, we encourage members to share their feedback and insights to help us identify issues and advocate for improvements on your behalf.

Lucy Robinson - Licensed Customs Broker
Head of Border, Biosecurity & Logistics - FTA / APSA

Copyright © 2026 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.