DAFF - IAN : 2026-30 Plant Exports – Updates to Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme operational materials

Thursday, June 11, 2026


11 June 2026

Purpose

This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that updated operational material for the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance Scheme (AGSA) will be published on the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) website.

Summary of changes and key points

  • The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (department) and AIMS have conducted a review of the AGSA Scheme.
  • Feedback from industry was received via our Have Your Say platform and has been incorporated.
  • The following updated operational materials will be published on the AIMS website before 1 July 2026, so marine surveyors and industry can review the changes before they take effect. The operational materials provide information and updates regarding:
    • the AGSA Scheme
    • Standard for Empty Bulk Vessel Surveys by Accredited Marine Surveyors
    • AGSA Code of Conduct
    • AGSA Scheme conflicts of interest guidance 
    • AGSA Scheme conflicts of interest disclosure and management form
    • AGSA Scheme conflicts of interest risk matrix
    • AGSA Scheme conflicts of interest management strategies
    • Fitness to Load Certificate
    • AGSA Accreditation Policy
    • AGSA Complaints Handling and Investigation Policy.
  • Accredited marine surveyors seeking to apply, or renew their accreditation, will be advised by AIMS on the materials they must familiarise themselves with prior to 1 July 2026.

Background

The department and AIMS have conducted a review of the AGSA Scheme and updated the operational materials to reflect the review findings and strengthen the scheme.

Accredited marine surveyors and industry will have a further opportunity to provide feedback on the AGSA Scheme through the 'Have Your Say' platform post the upcoming harvest.

The AGSA Scheme is administered by AIMS on behalf of the department. The Scheme outlines the requirements for marine surveyors to be accredited with AIMS to perform bulk vessel surveys as part of the preparation to load plant and plant products (prescribed under the Export Control Act 2020) for export.

Contact information

If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please contact the Plant Export Reform Program.

Jemma Martin
Assistant Secretary
Plant Exports Branch