FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 07 - 17022026 - sponsored by WiseTech Academy

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

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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 Report brings a mix of food import reforms, system updates, infrastructure determinations, and industry capability initiatives shaping Australia's border landscape. Key highlights include new certification requirements for Canadian bivalve mollusc imports, expanded First Point of Entry determinations across Broome, Perth and Sydney, and the digitisation of treatment provider registrations via the upcoming ProviderHub platform.

We also cover urgent BIIS email sender changes impacting SAC communications, new BICON pathways for tyre fenders, and updated import conditions capturing spacecraft and parts within Australia's biosecurity framework.

Rounding out the update, FTA has released two new Customs Broker Toolbox resources addressing quarantine direction extensions and system functionality, with a new Operational Biosecurity Compliance CPD course set for release shortly.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.

Summary

Changes to Import Requirements — Bivalve Molluscs from Canada

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released IFN 04-26 advising of updated import requirements for bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products sourced from Canada, following the successful negotiation of a new foreign government certification arrangement.

From 16 February 2026, all eligible consignments (excluding retorted shelf-stable and dried products) must be accompanied by a recognised foreign government certificate, issued by Canada's competent authority. Certification will be assessed on a consignment-specific basis, with all shipments subject to verification upon arrival.

Consignments arriving without a valid government certificate will not be permitted entry and will be directed for supervised re-export or destruction at the importer's expense.

Products may also be referred into the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS) for analytical testing, alongside standard label and visual assessments at inspection.

For clarity, bivalve molluscs captured under the arrangement include:
clams (including ark shells), cockles, mussels, oysters, pipis and scallops. Bivalve mollusc products include foods containing 50% or more bivalve mollusc meat, such as seafood mixes.

The department has confirmed that Canada's production and processing system has been assessed as delivering equivalent food safety outcomes to Australia, supporting the finalisation of this certification framework.

Customs brokers and importers are encouraged to review the applicable cases within BICON under:

Seafood (excluding finfish) for human consumption — biosecurity conditions
Molluscs and mollusc products — food safety and analytical testing requirements

This notice builds on prior advice issued under IFN 15-23, which outlined the broader move toward mandatory certification for bivalve mollusc imports from approved countries.

Women in Science Strengthening Australia's Biosecurity System

To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, DAFF has highlighted the contributions of women scientists supporting Australia's agriculture and biosecurity systems.

The feature spotlights Dr Julie Pattemore, a plant pathology and molecular diagnostics leader with over 25 years' experience across research, academia, and government. During her time at DAFF, she has driven major advancements in plant health diagnostics, including the rollout of molecular sequencing, automation, and robotics across border laboratories to improve consistency and testing turnaround times.

DAFF also used the announcement to encourage more women to pursue science careers, noting their vital role across biosecurity, environmental protection, and agricultural trade, supporting the resilience of Australia's $80 billion agriculture sector. Read more HERE.

First Point of Entry (FPOE) Determination Updates – Broome, Perth & Sydney Airports

The Department has issued three notices advising amendments to existing First Point of Entry (FPOE) determinations, impacting vessel and aircraft arrivals, baggage handling, and approved biosecurity entry point (BEP) locations across multiple Australian ports and airports.

Port of Broome
The Biosecurity (First Point of Entry—Port of Broome) Determination 2019 has been varied to introduce Terminal 2 as a new biosecurity entry point (BEP) covering:

Vessels other than non-commercial vessels
Inorganic bulk goods
Crew change baggage (baggage carried on vessels other than non-commercial or passenger vessels)
Waste

In addition, Broome Wharf has been expanded to include BEP approval for crew change baggage.

Perth Airport
The Biosecurity (First Point of Entry—Perth Airport) Determination 2019 has been updated to add three new BEPs for baggage located at:

26 Newton Road
131 Fauntleroy Avenue
145 Fauntleroy Avenue

Two former baggage BEPs, Jet Aviation Australia Terminal and Pearl Flight Centre Terminal, have been removed as they are no longer operational.

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
Under the Biosecurity (First Point of Entry—Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport) Determination 2022, the Jet Aviation Terminal has been removed as a BEP for baggage due to ceased operations.

Across all three determinations:

Prior departmental permission is required for any arrivals not permitted under the updated FPOE determinations.
Responsibility sits with the person in charge of the vessel or aircraft to ensure compliance.
Industry stakeholders should review the updated determinations via the Federal Register of Legislation to confirm approved entry pathways.

For further detail, industry can contact: biosecurityfirstpoints@aff.gov.au

ProviderHub - AusTreat Registration Moves Online

DAFF has announced the upcoming release of ProviderHub, a new online registration platform that will replace the current paper-based application process for AusTreat treatment providers.

ProviderHub will deliver a digital capability for both industry and the department to manage registration information, with the aim of improving processing timeframes and overall user experience.

Online registration and management of AusTreat provider applications
Faster processing and streamlined submissions
Improved system usability for treatment providers

System access details and user guidance materials are expected to be made available via the AusTreat webpage from March 2026.
In preparation for launch, application forms have been removed from the AusTreat page for the following treatments:

Methyl Bromide
Sulfuryl Fluoride
Ethyl Formate
Heat Treatment

Industry intending to commence new registrations for these treatments is advised to wait for ProviderHub's release. DAFF will continue to accept in-progress paper-based applications for these treatments until 20 February 2026.

Registrations for Controlled Atmosphere treatments will continue under the existing process at this stage.

For enquiries, contact: offshoretreatments@aff.gov.au - Read more HERE.

Email Sender Change – Action Required for SAC Industry

The Department has issued an urgent notice advising Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) industry clients, brokers, and reporters of an upcoming change to Biosecurity Integrated Information System (BIIS) Import Management System (IMS) email notifications.

From 27 February 2026, all BIIS system-generated emails will transition from:
DoNotReply@agriculture.gov.au / DoNotReply@aff.gov.au to biis.noreply@aff.gov.au
The previously advised noreply@aff.gov.au address will no longer be used due to updated security requirements.

All SAC industry partners who:

Maintain email allow-lists/whitelists
Use email routing or Exchange rules linked to sender addresses

Industry must update internal email systems before the release date to:

Whitelist biis.noreply@aff.gov.au
Ensure messages from the aff.gov.au domain are accepted
Review any automated filtering or processing rules

Failure to update system settings may result in missed or blocked biosecurity notifications issued via BIIS.
The change will take effect as part of the BIIS production release on 27 February 2026. Industry stakeholders requiring assistance can contact Imports@aff.gov.au.

BICON Case Update – Tyres: New Pathway for Tyre Fenders

DAFF has updated the Tyres BICON case to introduce a dedicated import condition pathway for 'Tyre Fenders', aligning biosecurity controls with existing measures applied to used and oversized tyres.

Three treatment pathways have been established based on packing configuration and treatment timing:

Six hard-sided containers — Treatment on arrival
Six hard-sided containers — Treatment prior to arrival
Not in six hard-sided containers — Mandatory offshore treatment

Industry should review BICON to confirm the applicable pathway prior to import.

A new CP question has been added to tariff 4016.94.00.17:
"Do the goods contain new or used tyres?"

This amendment supports improved identification and management of biosecurity risks associated with tyre-based marine fenders.

For enquiries, contact the Sea Cargo Policy team: Seacargopolicy@aff.gov.au - Read more HERE.

Import Conditions for Spacecraft and Parts

Australia's biosecurity framework has taken another step into the space age, with DAFF updating BICON import conditions to formally capture spacecraft and spacecraft parts, reflecting the growing volume of space-related consignments entering Australia, including craft arriving directly from orbit.

The existing BICON case 'New or used vehicles, aircraft and parts' has now been expanded and renamed to 'New or used vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft and parts', bringing spacecraft pathways into a defined regulatory structure. This includes both individual spacecraft components and whole spacecraft.

Historically, these goods were assessed under aircraft import conditions. The update provides clearer classification and assessment pathways, aligning biosecurity settings with the evolution of the aerospace sector and increasing commercial space activity.

From an operational perspective, there is no change to onshore outcomes where spacecraft or parts arrive via traditional air or sea freight supply chains, these will continue to be managed under existing inspection and treatment frameworks.

A notable shift applies to spacecraft arriving under their own power directly from space. Where all biosecurity requirements are met, these units may now be released on documentation, regardless of unladen weight. This removes the previous requirement for onshore inspection of spacecraft weighing 15,000kg or less, streamlining clearance for direct-entry craft.

Industry stakeholders managing aerospace, defence, or research imports should review the updated BICON case to ensure correct tariff capture, documentation, and reporting pathways are applied. Read more via IAN 30-2026.

Release of New Customs Broker Toolboxes & Biosecurity CPD Course Launching Soon

FTA continues to expand its operational support and professional development offerings, with the release of two new Customs Broker Toolbox (BTB) resources and the upcoming launch of a new biosecurity-focused CPD course.

The latest Toolbox editions, Quarantine Direction Completion Timeframes – Applying for an Extension and Where to Check Biosecurity System Functionality, have been developed in direct response to recurring industry challenges managing biosecurity directions and navigating departmental system disruptions.

The Quarantine Direction Completion Timeframes resource provides practical guidance for situations where importers or brokers are unable to meet prescribed direction deadlines. It outlines when an extension request may be appropriate, escalation pathways with the department, and the supporting information required to demonstrate due diligence and mitigate potential compliance exposure.

Complementing this, Where to Check Biosecurity System Functionality centralises key locations for monitoring the operational status of departmental platforms, including BIIS/IMS, BICON and COLS, enabling industry to quickly identify outages or processing issues that may impact reporting, document lodgement, or direction visibility.

Together, these releases aim to strengthen frontline operational awareness and provide brokers with practical controls when managing biosecurity risk, system delays, and regulatory timeframes. You can find the FTA Customs Broker Toolbox homepage HERE.

FTA will shortly release a new CPD course, Operational Biosecurity Compliance for Customs Brokers, as part of the 2025–26 Continued Professional Development (CPD) training period.

The course will be available via the MYFTACPD training platform and automatically added to the personal training library of members who have purchased the FTA CPD / Customs Broker Companion online package or attended the 2025 face-to-face CPD sessions.

As with all FTA CPD content, members will receive automated notifications as new modules are released throughout the CPD period (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026). The expanding course library is designed to ensure brokers and their teams remain at the forefront of regulatory knowledge.

Cargo Operations Snapshot

Note: It is recommended that members note the Data Definitions on page 3 when viewing the following report provided by DAFF.

16 February 2026 Report LOGIN REQUIRED

2025-2026 FTA Online CPD & CBC Training Packages

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. GST) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. GST) per customs broker licensing period. Please email Caroline at CZalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.

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

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) brings together DAFF and industry representatives to address biosecurity issues impacting trade and logistics with the purpose to ensure effective biosecurity regulation without unnecessary trade barriers. FTA proudly represents the freight and trade sector on this vital committee.

The DCCC meets a minimum of three times per year with out-of-session meetings scheduled as necessary. In 2025, three meetings are scheduled for 3 April, 31 July and 27 November.

Following are the latest DCCC Meeting minutes, communiques and papers:

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):

AFAS is a bilateral arrangement between DAFF and participating overseas government agencies. AFAS manages the high biosecurity risk posed by ineffective treatments performed offshore.

Treatment providers registered and listed as approved is available on the List of treatment providers.

- Recent Reviews and/or Suspensions:

Notices:

- Exports:

13 February 2026: DAFF - IAN 2026-06: Horticulture Exports – Applications for the export of avocados to protocol markets

To receive real-time automated notices direct from DAFF, please register HERE.

- System Notifications:

17 February 2026 : 20/2026 - Scheduled Outages: Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February 2026 – Multiple Systems
16 February 2026 : 19/2026 - Scheduled Service Disruption: Wednesday 18 February 2026 – Biosecurity Portal, AAMP, BCST, EVE

BICON Watch – Weekly Case Updates

To support customs brokers and importers in staying ahead of operational changes, we have introduced a weekly snapshot of BICON case updates issued in the past seven days. This section will highlight newly added conditions, revised import pathways, and notable treatment or permit changes that may affect lodgements and client advice.

Case Changes:

New food safety requirements for bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products from Canada

Effective from 16 February 2026
Bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products from Canada now require mandatory government certification. Refer to the revised food safety requirements BICON case for the certificate and testing information.
Related Cases: Molluscs and mollusc products

Addition of import conditions for spacecraft and parts

Effective from 16 February 2026
The department has updated the name of the 'New or used vehicles, aircraft and parts' BICON case to 'New or used vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft and parts.' Updated import conditions for this case now include: • spacecraft parts
Related Cases: New or used vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft and parts

Addition of import conditions for tyre fenders

Effective from 16 February 2026
The BICON case 'Tyres' has been updated to capture 'Tyre fenders' as an import condition pathway. Three new pathways have been added, based upon pre-existing conditions for regular and oversize used tyres.
Related Cases: Tyres

Update to testing requirements for tomato and capsicum seed for sowing

Effective from 14 February 2026
As previously notified on and , the department implemented two key changes effective 12 November 2025 to strengthen seed testing requirements.
Related Cases: Tomato seed for sowing | Capsicum spp. (requiring testing) seed for sowing | Wild tomato seed for sowing

Updates to species listings in the 'Methyl bromide sensitive nursery stock' BICON case

Effective from 13 February 2026
The following scientific names have been added to the 'Methyl bromide sensitive nursery stock' BICON case, as the department has assessed that these species pose a low weed risk or are already present in Australia and not under official control.
Related Cases: Methyl bromide sensitive nursery stock

Minor changes to BICON case Finfish

Effective from 12 February 2026
The import conditions for heat treated fish (including fish viscera) have been streamlined. The main import conditions have not changed: • An import permit is still required. • The goods must be heat treated by an approved temperature and time.
Related Cases: Fish including fish caviar, fish roe, fish viscera and fish maw (excluding salmonid fish)

Reminder - Stay Updated on Import & Export Conditions:
> Import Conditions via BICON:

Members are encouraged to reference BICON, Australia's biosecurity import conditions database, for any specific commodity concerns or changes related to Import Industry Advice Notices.
BICON provides up-to-date Australian biosecurity import conditions to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions.

> Export Conditions via Micor:

Members are encouraged to regularly consult Micor (Manual of Importing Country Requirements) for the latest export requirements, certification details, and market access conditions for specific commodities.

Micor is DAFF's central resource for ensuring compliance with overseas import regulations—helping exporters stay informed, avoid delays, and maintain access to key markets.

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.

Bianca Flint
Member Services - Trade Operations | Licensed Customs Broker

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