| 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 we bring members a snapshot of the latest developments from the 31 July DCCC meeting, including progress on key biosecurity legislative reforms, updated cost-recovery results, and performance insights across the SAC pathway. We also cover the Inspector-General of Biosecurity's newly released review, celebrate Sal Milici's well-deserved national recognition, and share the Government's latest steps to strengthen Australia's defences against IUU seafood.
We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary - DCCC – Legislative Update, Cost Recovery & SAC Pathway
Last week, the Department published the minutes from the most recent DCCC meeting, held on 31 July 2025. Key points of interest from the meeting are summarised below. - Biosecurity Legislation Update:
The Department provided an update on ongoing biosecurity legislative reforms, noting that work continues to refine and modernise the regulatory framework to ensure it remains responsive to evolving risk pathways.
The update highlighted several priority areas, including: - continued progress on amendments linked to the Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill, focusing on strengthening compliance tools and improving alignment between biosecurity and imported food legislation
- ongoing development of subordinate instruments to support operational implementation once reforms commence
- work to enhance the Department's ability to manage emerging risks by improving intelligence-sharing, pathway visibility and the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms
- continued engagement with industry to ensure transitional arrangements are clearly communicated and operational impacts are minimised
The Department noted that further details will be shared as drafting progresses and consultation windows open. - Biosecurity Cost Recovery Update:
The Department outlined performance results to 31 May 2025, noting that the full-year 2024–25 outcomes will be published in the Biosecurity Funding and Expenditure Report, released alongside the Department's Annual Report. - Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) – Cost Recovery & Policy Update:
A detailed update was provided on SAC performance and cost recovery.
Key points included: - Since commencement on 1 October 2024, approximately 70 industry reporters have been charged, with 112 million SAC declarations recorded by 30 June 2025.
- The Department currently holds a $0.6 million surplus, which is being reinvested into risk-management initiatives, detection technology improvements, pathway profiling and engagement with the air-cargo sector.
- From 1 July 2025, all biosecurity and imported food fees increased by 2.4%, lifting the SAC charge by one cent to 37 cents per declaration. Fees and volumes are reviewed annually to ensure regulatory charges reflect the cost-of-service delivery.
Freight & Trade Alliance raised concerns regarding delays with CAL inspections. The Department noted that inspections are currently being completed within service charter timeframes and will continue to be monitored. Read the minutes HERE.
- Inspector-General of Biosecurity Review – Key Findings and FTA/APSA Engagement
The Inspector-General of Biosecurity (IGB) has released a regulatory maturity review assessing the effectiveness of Australia's national biosecurity compliance system. Drawing on departmental data and confidential staff surveys, the review identifies several systemic issues, including inconsistent consequences for repeat offenders, perceived external influence on decision-making, limited visibility of non-compliance follow-up, gaps in managing persistent risks in cargo and mail pathways, and reported leniency involving high-profile entities. The IGB noted that these weaknesses reduce transparency and may undermine confidence in the regulator's ability to address emerging threats.
Earlier today in Melbourne, Sal Milici met with the newly appointed Inspector-General Dr Melissa McEwan to discuss the forthcoming annual review work plan and to reinforce practical improvements, including publishing regular compliance updates, exploring trusted-trader style recognition, enhancing real-time data sharing, establishing clearer enforcement metrics, and considering incentive-based cost-recovery models.
FTA and APSA will continue working with the IGB and DAFF to support improvements that strengthen Australia's biosecurity system while ensuring consistent, transparent and equitable regulatory outcomes.
Full report: https://www.igb.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/igb-implementation-of-recs_report.pd
- DAFF Honours Sal Milici for Outstanding Biosecurity Leadership
Our very own Sal Milici, General Manager Trade Policy & Operations, has been recognised in the 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards, receiving a Biosecurity Commendation Certificate for his "dedicated efforts in advancing biosecurity awareness across the international freight and logistics sector." This is a well-deserved acknowledgment of Sal's long-standing leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening Australia's biosecurity system. Read more HERE.
- Protecting Australia from Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
The Government has announced new measures to reduce the risk of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) seafood entering Australia's supply chain. While most imported seafood is assessed as low-risk, four higher-risk commodity groups have been identified—sharks, squid, surimi and sardines.
To strengthen oversight, the Government will review import codes and data reporting to allow more detailed classification of seafood imports, and will support the implementation of international catch-documentation and traceability systems that track product from harvest to market. These initiatives build on existing licensing, enforcement and regional cooperation frameworks aimed at combating IUU fishing.
The reforms follow extensive consultation with domestic and international stakeholders and will help Australia better assess import risks and inform whether a broader seafood traceability program is needed in future. Read more HERE. |