| 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
The Department continues to advance Australia's biosecurity and trade framework through targeted reforms, enhanced risk management, and digital modernisation. This week's updates highlight several key developments, including the release of revised Class 1.1 and 1.3 Approved Arrangement conditions to address emerging biosecurity risks, and new requirements under the AusTreat pre-border treatment provider scheme to standardise offshore treatments for khapra beetle risk goods.
Further updates include the removal of certificate review for dairy exports in NEXDOC, improving efficiency for exporters, and insights from the recent STEPS Program webinar, which outlined progress on Biosecurity Industry Reporting tools within the Biosecurity Portal.
Complementing these departmental updates, FTA has released the latest Customs Broker Toolbox, focusing on the Department's Redline reporting mechanism, a confidential channel for industry to report suspected biosecurity or compliance breaches. These initiatives reflect a continued partnership between government and industry to enhance transparency, strengthen compliance, and safeguard Australia's biosecurity integrity.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary - Updates to Class 1.1 & 1.3 Approved Arrangement Conditions
Who's affected: BIPs holding Class 1.1 (unrestricted) and Class 1.3 (restricted) sea/air freight depot AAs.
What's changing: New versions released — Class 1.1 v6 and Class 1.3 v7 — to address emerging risks (mosquito incursions, hitchhiker pests, exotic weeds, unsuitable site environments). Conditions are now structured with tables covering site hygiene & monitoring, verification of goods, and management of animals/invertebrates/contamination at receipt.
Timeline & audits: - Audit pause: Effective immediately; routine audits for existing sites paused and restart 2 Feb 2026 (unless under enforcement or required for compliance checks).
- Notices:
- From 10 Nov 2025 – Notice of intention to vary.
- From 1 Dec 2025 – Notice of variation issued and revised conditions take effect.
- New applications: Lodged from 13 Oct 2025 are assessed/audited against the updated conditions.
Action for BIPs: - Review Class 1.1 v6 / Class 1.3 v7 on the Approved Arrangements conditions page.
- Update depot SOPs, hygiene monitoring plans, and receipt inspection procedures to align with the new tables.
- Prepare for audits resuming 2 Feb 2026.
- Queries: aa.canberra@aff.gov.au
Read more HERE.
- Registration of Controlled Atmosphere Treatment Providers under AusTreat
To strengthen Australia's defences against Khapra Beetle, the department is standardising offshore treatments through the AusTreat pre-border treatment provider scheme.
The following key changes will be in effect as of 30 October 2025:
• All Controlled Atmosphere (CA) at atmospheric pressure treatments for high-risk plant products (e.g. rice, lentils, beans, dried chilli, cumin, coriander) must be carried out by AusTreat-approved providers listed on the department's site.
• Existing non-AusTreat CA providers and new applicants must register.
• Other treatments (CA at altered pressure, methyl bromide, or heat) are unchanged but may be brought into AusTreat later.
There will be documentary updates to BICON, import permits, and phytosanitary certificate wording. Permit holders will be notified directly.
Providers seeking approval by 30 Oct 2025 must apply by 15 Oct 2025 using the forms on the AusTreat webpage.
For further support, please get in touch with the Offshore Treatments Team.
• AusTreat/CA methodology: Offshoretreatments@aff.gov.au
• Import queries: imports@aff.gov.au ("Plant T2 – Khapra urgent actions") | 1800 900 090
Read more HERE.
- STEPS Webinar Summary – Biosecurity Industry Reporting
FTA and its members were invited to attend a STEPS Program webinar last Wednesday, 8 October 2025. The webinar was hosted by Natalie Bone, Director – Biosecurity Digital Reform Branch, and outlined updates to Biosecurity Industry Reporting within the Biosecurity Portal.
The reporting tool, one of the deliverables of the Simplified Targeting and Enhanced Processing Systems (STEPS) Program, enhances visibility of cargo referred for biosecurity assessment under Class 19 arrangements. It provides accredited users access to: - Cargo Status – entry details and outcomes
- Brokerage Overview – in-progress referrals
- Fee Reporting – applied charges
- Class 19.2 Usage & Uptake – processing trends
A live demo showed how users can log in, select or switch between organisations, and view cargo data.
Thank you to the members who attended and contributed to the engagement. It was raised during the discussions the need for access control for large firms managing temporary users, supporting the MyID system for its ability to activate/deactivate users easily. Next steps include the department coming back to industry on that control/security mechanism, developing user guides, help cards, FAQs, and scheduling further sessions. View the industry session presentation HERE.
- Removal of Certificate Review for Dairy Exports
The department will remove the certificate review requirement for all dairy export certification raised with manual product descriptions in NEXDOC. Exporters will now be able to obtain certification without prior review by the department.
Key Points: - Applies to all dairy export certification in NEXDOC.
- Exporters (or their agents) can submit Requests for Export (REXs) without departmental intervention.
- Exporters remain responsible for ensuring product descriptions:
- Accurately reflect the goods exported.
- Meet all legislative and regulatory requirements.
- Exclude prohibited claims (e.g. "organic," "Halal," "biodynamic").
- The department will continue compliance checks, and non-compliance may affect certification privileges.
- AEPI users with remote printing can finalise certification immediately when raising REXs.
Next Steps: - Effective 19 October 2025 – no action required.
- Exporters are encouraged to:
- Apply for AEPI status to self-authorise export permits (except for certain markets such as the EU and UK).
- Use the "MyPrint" function in NEXDOC to print certificates in-house and reduce delays.
More info: dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au or see NEXDOC help guides for AEPI and MyPrint. Read more HERE.
- Customs Broker Toolbox – Reporting Biosecurity Breaches - Redline
FTA has released the latest Customs Broker Toolbox edition, focusing on Reporting Biosecurity Breaches – Redline.
This edition raises awareness of the Department's Redline service, a long-standing but often underutilised mechanism that allows industry to confidentially report suspected breaches of Australia's biosecurity, meat, or food inspection laws.
It outlines how the Redline pathway operates, when to use it, and distinguishes between reporting a compliance concern versus a pest or disease detection. The Customs Broker Toolbox provides guidance on anonymous and confidential reporting options, reinforcing the shared responsibility to uphold Australia's biosecurity integrity.
The insights are particularly relevant for customs brokers, freight forwarders, and operational staff who may identify irregularities or compliance concerns in their day-to-day activities.
Find the latest Customs Broker Toolboxes HERE. |