FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 18 -05052026 - sponsored by EcoFum Container Fumigation Services

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 edition of the Biosecurity Report highlights a mix of reform activity, compliance focus and operational transition points across import and export pathways.

Following recent engagement with DAFF in Canberra through forums including the Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC), attention remains on strengthening risk-based regulation, improving system visibility and ensuring regulatory settings remain practical and effective for industry.

Key updates this week include consultation on proposed national biosecurity reforms, expansion of data-driven compliance verification through the Self Assessed Clearance (SAC) Air Cargo Compliance Verification program, and the conclusion of the 2025–26 Brown?Marmorated?Stink?Bug?(BMSB) risk season.

These are complemented by system updates, changes to permit application processes and ongoing BICON case amendments, reinforcing the importance of accurate lodgements, awareness of transitional arrangements and continued engagement as regulatory settings evolve.

Summary

National Biosecurity Reform Agenda – Industry Consultation

DAFF has released a discussion paper seeking industry feedback on proposed reforms to Australia's national biosecurity system, in response to increasing pressures arising from changing trade and traveller patterns, rising costs and complexity of managing biosecurity risks, and evolving economic, environmental and geopolitical conditions.

The proposed reform ideas build on the National Biosecurity Strategy and reflect ongoing engagement with industry, producers, research bodies, community representatives, First Nations stakeholders and governments. Feedback received through this consultation will inform the development of a reform roadmap for consideration by Australia's Agriculture Ministers later in 2026.

Members are invited to review the discussion paper and provide feedback via an online survey or written submission, with submissions closing at 5:00pm AEST on Friday 12 June 2026.
Read more HERE.

Expansion of the Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) Air Cargo Compliance Verification (ACCV) Program

DAFF has announced the expansion of the Air Cargo Compliance Verification (ACCV) program, extending its coverage across a wider cohort of Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) reporters lodging low-value air cargo consignments under the Integrated Cargo System. The ACCV program uses random inspections to assess compliance with Australia's biosecurity import requirements and to verify the integrity of the SAC pathway.
The expanded program is intended to strengthen the department's evidence base for compliance trends, support more targeted risk profiling, and enhance early detection of emerging biosecurity risks. By broadening participation across SAC reporters, DAFF aims to apply sharper, data-driven risk assessment tools while continuing to work closely with industry to support compliance and cargo flow.
SAC reporters are being progressively contacted throughout the year to raise awareness of ACCV inspection requirements and processes. Inspection costs will continue to be covered by the existing SAC cost recovery charge, with additional fee-for-service charges applying only where biosecurity risks are identified and require management. Read more HERE.

Conclusion of the 2025–26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Risk Season

The 2025–26 Brown?Marmorated?Stink?Bug (BMSB) risk season has now concluded, with seasonal measures no longer applying to goods shipped on board, or vessels departing from, BMSB target risk countries on or after 1 May 2026. This marks the end of heightened seasonal intervention settings for newly shipped consignments.

However, target high-risk goods manufactured in, or shipped from, BMSB target risk countries between 1 September 2025 and 30 April 2026 remain subject to BMSB measures regardless of arrival date. Members should continue to assess consignments based on ship-on-board dates and ensure the correct application of seasonal declarations where required.

Ongoing obligations remain across the supply chain, including seasonal pest questionnaires and inspections for applicable Ro-Ro vessels, master consolidator declaration requirements for cargo shipped during the risk season, and appropriate use of Approved Arrangement Class?19.2 processing. Read more HERE.

 

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2026-2027 FTA Online CPD & CBC Training Packages

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

• Meeting 102 2025 – Communique (PDF 197 KB)
• Meeting 102 2025 – Minutes (PDF 311 KB)

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.

Sal Milici - Licensed Customs Broker
General Manager Trade Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA

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