FTA / APSA Biosecurity Report 26 - 30062026 sponsored by Geodis

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 has been characterised by steady regulatory refinement rather than major disruption, with a significant announcement from DAFF confirming new billing arrangements for imported cargo documentation assessed through the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS). Stakeholders using COLS should review the updated charging arrangements and associated processes, as the change has direct implications for the management and assessment of import documentation.

On the imports front, attention should be given to SAC manual lodgement updates, new traveller health screening processes, and enhanced reporting requirements for maritime arrivals. The suspension of five offshore treatment providers highlighting ongoing compliance monitoring under the AFAS framework and reinforces the importance of ensuring treatments are undertaken by approved providers.

BICON activity focused on improving clarity and operational flexibility, particularly through expanded testing options such as coir peat, streamlined permit pathways, and updates addressing emerging plant health risks such as Xylella and Moko disease. The reclassification of Rorippa sylvestris as a prohibited species is a notable change for seed and nursery stock imports.

A key digital development this week is the rollout of ProviderHub, DAFF's new online platform for pre-border treatment provider registration under the AusTreat framework. Replacing manual, paper-based processes, ProviderHub enables faster processing and introduces self-service functionality, initially supporting fumigation and heat treatment registrations. This marks another step toward modernising offshore treatment assurance systems and improving data integrity across biosecurity pathways.

System performance remains an operational consideration, with several scheduled outages impacting key platforms, including ICS and DAFF messaging services. Meanwhile, export stakeholders should prepare for upcoming system changes, including NEXDOC implementation and MICOR migration, which will drive further digitisation and process alignment in coming weeks.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.
 

Summary

ProviderHub Release and Treatment Provider Update

DAFF has confirmed the upcoming ProviderHub Release 2, signalling continued digital enhancement of service delivery and treatment provider management. At the same time, the department has expanded its treatment provider compliance actions, with five offshore treatment providers suspended under the AFAS framework. Recent suspensions include,  G D Fumigation ( AEI:IN0633MB) , M/s DPCS Pest Control p ltd (AEI:IN203MB), M/s Aryan Fumigation & Pest Management Services (AEI:IN0584MB) , M/s Benison Fumigation Services (AEI:IN0445MB), and M/s Deva Singh Sham Singh Exports pvt Ltd (AEI:IN830MB). Treatment certificates issued by suspended providers are no longer accepted reinforcing the need for importers and brokers to verify that offshore treatments are undertaken by approved providers to avoid clearance delays or non-compliance.

Read more HERE

Operational and Policy Updates - Imports

Recent Import Industry Advice Notices highlight a range of operational and policy changes, including updates to Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) manual lodgement processes, enhanced human health screening arrangements for arriving travellers, and new mandatory biosecurity reporting requirements for maritime operators. These changes reflect ongoing system reform and strengthened risk management across import pathways.

Read more HERE

System Notifications - Planned Outages

DAFF has issued multiple scheduled outage notifications impacting key systems, including OPS,COLS, COLS B2G, PEBS and ICS messaging services, across late June and into early July. Industry should plan lodgements and processing activities accordingly to minimise disruption.
 

BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates

BICON updates this week focused on targeted refinements rather than major process change, with no new case alerts issued. Key amendments include expanded testing flexibility for coir peat (AA Class 5.11 laboratories ), inclusion of shellac in confectionery permits, and new standard permit pathways for biological indicators and bacteriophages to streamline import approvals.

Additional updates address emerging biosecurity risks, including expanded Xylella host coverage, revised conditions for Moko disease, and the classification of Rorippa sylvestris as not permitted due to weed risk.

Read more HERE

Export Industry Notices

Export updates this week highlight continued progress toward system modernisation and operational transition, including upcoming maintenance outages for plant export systems, update to authorised officer fees and instructional material, and confirmation of key milestones such as NEXDOC implementation and the MICOR migration to a new platform.These changes reinforce the ongoing shift toward more efficient and digitised export processes.

Read more HERE
 

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 / APSA

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