FTA / APSA BIOSECURITY REPORT - 25 23062026 Sponsored by Offshore Business Processing

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 in Biosecurity saw a strong focus on improvements to import processes, particularly with upcoming changes to the lodgement of Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPEs). From 8 July 2026, UPE lodgements for clients not using a customs broker will transition from the Import Assessment mailbox to the Cargo Online Lodgements System (COLS), delivering a more streamlined, digital workflow with integrated payments, status tracking and reduced reliance on manual enquiry channels. The change forms part of the broader STEPS program aimed at modernising cargo clearance and enhancing biosecurity risk management.

Further import updates included revised pre-arrival reporting requirements for vessels and the commencement of the Conveyance Waste Recycling Policy.

The department has proposed fees and charges for 2026-27, with most biosecurity and imported food regulatory charges set to increase by 3.8% in line with CPI indexation. Notable exceptions include higher increases for companion animal charges to reflect rising Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) costs.

Key changes include the introduction of new charges for live snail consignments and diagnostic activities for incoming vessels, alongside revisions to diagnostic cost recovery arrangements. Amendments to existing charge structures and legislative provisions are also proposed, including changes to certain biosecurity charge points and removal of outdated provisions.

Approved arrangements ( 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. The updated fees are scheduled to apply from 1 July 2026, subject to government approval and will be issued around 7th July 2026.

Looking ahead, industry attention is also turning to the upcoming brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season. FTA is supporting the Biosecurity Business Pledge Australia initiative, with a dedicated webinar scheduled for 23 July 2026 to provide insights from the 2025-26 season and help members prepare for emerging risks in the next season.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.
 

Summary

UPE Lodgement changes

Changes to the lodgement of Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPE's) will transition clients ( lodging without a customs broker) from email based submissions to an online process via the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS) from 8 July 2026, enhancing efficiency under the STEPS program. The new process removes the need for coversheets, enables payment and enquiry handling within COLS, and provides self-service tracking of lodgements, while maintaining current requirements for submitting UPE statements to ABF prior to biosecurity assessment.

Read more HERE
 

Drafted Imported New Vehicle Policy

DAFF has released a draft Imported New Vehicle Policy for early industry consultation, aimed at strengthening biosecurity risk management while recognising compliant supply chains and improving regulatory efficiency. The proposed framework outlines clearer roles and responsibilities, sets expectations for vehicle cleanliness, and explores more targeted intervention and sustainable funding models. DAFF is actively seeking practical feedback from industry on compliance measures, operational impacts, and any gaps or unintended consequences, with input during this stage helping shape the policy ahead of broader consultation.

Read More HERE
 

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

FTA is pleased to highlight an upcoming webinar on 23 July 2026 focused on the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) and preparations for the 2026-27 risk season. Delivered by DAFF, the session will share insights from the recent season, including emerging risk countries, targeted goods, treatment options and common compliance issues. The webinar also supports the Biosecurity Business Pledge Australia, encouraging businesses to strengthen day to day bisoecurity practices and enhance supply chain resilience ahead of the upcoming BMSB season.


Read more HERE

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) - Suspension Update 

DAFF has advised of the suspension of SML Eco Pest Control (AEI:LK0012MB) and M/S Exim Fumigation Services under the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS).
Members should ensure that offshore treatments are conducted by approved providers, as the use of suspended providers may impact the validity of treatment certification and clearance outcomes.

Read more HERE and HERE

Export  Industry Notices

A steady flow of export updates this week, with a focus on cost recovery, digital transformation, and evolving market access requirements.

Key developments include the release of the 2026-27 Export Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS), providing clarity on fees and regulatory cost settings. DAFF has also confirmed progress on the MICOR migration to a new platform for plant exports, signalling ongoing modernisation of export systems.

Overall, the notices highlight continued system reform, cost transparency, and tightening international requirements across key export sectors.

See below for individual notices in "Exports" section

Import Industry Advice Notices - Operational Updates and Policy Changes

Recent Import Industry Advice Notices highlight a series of operational and regulatory updates impacting maritime reporting, human health requirements and cost recovery arrangements. Key changes include enhancements to pre arrival reporting through MARS, updates to Human Health PAR requirements, and the introduction of a new conveyance waste recycling policy for commercial and cruise vessels. In addition, amendments to Unaccompanied Personal Effects (UPE) lodgement processes and revised biosecurity fees and charges signal ongoing system and compliance reforms, supported by improved fee reporting functionality now available via the Biosecurity Portal.

See below for individual notices in "Imports" section

Detection of H5 bird flu - Western Australia

Australia has confirmed its first detection of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu strain, identified in a migratory brown skua in southern Western Australia on 20 June 2026. The virus, which has been circulating globally, remains confined to wild seabirds at this stage, with no detections in poultry and no evidence of wider spread or mass mortality. Authorities, led by the Western Australian Government with national coordination from DAFF, have implemented surveillance and response measures to assess any impact on wildlife and mitigate biosecurity risks. Importantly, the risk to the public remains low, and there are no food safety concerns for poultry products when properly handled and cooked.

Read more HERE

System Notification - Scheduled Service Disruption 

DAFF has issued several system notifications this last week advising or coordinated scheduled outages across multiple platforms, including messaging and ics over the weekend of 20-21 June 2026. These notices highlight overlapping system disruptions and urgent service impacts that may affect lodgements, messaging and processing activities. 

Members are encouraged to plan ahead, monitor notifications closely and manage workflows to minimise disruption during the outage period.

See below for individual notices in "system notification" section

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2026-2027 FTA Online CPD Training Packages

2026-2027 Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC)

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

• Meeting 103 2026 – Communique
• Meeting 103 2026 – Minutes

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.

Lucy Robinson- Licensed Customs Broker
Head of Border, Biosecurity & Logistics - FTA 

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