Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received the below information which has been sent directly to industry from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry.
A summary of charges is also available HERE
Attention Biosecurity Industry Participant,
You are receiving this notice because you currently hold one or more import approved arrangements (AA) with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The AA annual charge is incurred by the holder of the AA for each financial year, or part financial year that the AA is approved. The charge is based on the number of AAs held under a single Australian Business Number and is an up-front charge for the pending financial year.
If an AA remains approved on 1 July 2026, the annual charge for the 2026-27 financial year will be incurred by the holder and is payable to the department.
AAs that are suspended or part suspended throughout the 2026-27 financial year or suspended for a part of the 2026-27 financial year, will still incur the full annual charge.
Information about the approved arrangement annual charge is available on the department's website at Approved arrangements fees and charges - DAFF.
How much will you have to pay?
In 2024, the department embedded an annual review cycle and began applying indexation to regulatory fees and charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities. The proposed fees and charges commence on 1 July 2026.
The department's proposed 2026-27 fees and charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activity are provided as an attachment with this notice. Table 2 (Fees and charges for biosecurity regulatory activities) contains the proposed indexed fees and charges for approved arrangements commencing 1 July 2026.
More information on the department's proposed 2026-7 fees and charges is available in Industry import advice notice 54-2026: Changes to biosecurity and imported food cost recovery charges - DAFF.
What if you don't want to pay the 2026 - 27 annual charge?
Where an AA continues to be held from 1 July 2026, regardless of the length of approval, the annual charge for the 2026-27 financial year will be incurred and is payable.
If you do not want to incur the annual charge for the 2026-27 financial year financial year the AA must be revoked by the department before 30 June 2026. This means the department must receive your request no later than Tuesday 9 June 2026.
To revoke your AA, you must request to revoke your AA in writing to the department's Approved Arrangement's Program at least 15 business days (3 weeks) prior to the date you want the revocation take effect.
Information for revoking an approved arrangement is available on the department's website at Suspending or revoking approved arrangements - DAFF.
What will happen if I don't pay an invoice for Commonwealth services within the specified timeframe?
This notification of future invoicing for the AA annual charge also serves as a reminder of your obligation to pay invoices issued by the Commonwealth for services provided, within the timeframe specified on those invoices.
If you don't pay an invoice for Commonwealth services in accordance with the terms specified on the invoice, the department may act to:
- suspend or revoke your AA, and/or
- withdraw departmental regulatory services.
The department encourages you to review your account/financial status to ensure you do not have any outstanding debt owing to the department.
If you need an invoice or statement reissued, you can request a copy through our online payment portal.
To do this, follow the steps below:- Go to Online Payments - Home and select 'Payment Enquiry'.
- Enter your account / invoice number and select 'Check Status'.
- Select 'Email current statement / invoice'. The invoice / current statement will be sent to your nominated email address registered on your account with the department.
- To pay the invoice using a valid credit / debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex), enter your account / invoice number, select 'Check Status', then select 'Make Payment'.
- Click on the Help Centre for more information on how to pay and for other invoicing queries.
If you experience any issues or need further advice about your account status, please contact Accounts Receivable & Debt Management at ARhelpdesk@aff.gov.au.
If you have any further queries about the charges that apply to your AA, and these cannot be answered using the information in this notice, please email aa.canberra@aff.gov.au.
If your query is in relation to approved arrangement class 19 charges, please email Class19@aff.gov.au.
Lucy Robinson - Head of Border, Biosecurity & Logistics - FTA / APSA