30 June 2026
Who does this notice affect?
This notice affects importers of live plants (nursery stock), customs brokers and departmental staff.
What is changing?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has completed its pest risk analysis (PRA) for bacterial pathogens in the genus Xylella.
The PRA concluded that ongoing measures are necessary to prevent Xylella entering Australia, which is our top priority plant pest. It recommended several enhancements to improve regulation for all Xylella species (X. fastidiosa and X. taiwanensis) in nursery stock, with particular focus on offshore testing and production requirements.
The changes will affect import conditions for plant genera that are currently regulated for Xylella, imported as nursery stock.
Key changes for imports from high-risk Xylella countries/regions include:
- mother plant testing replacing mother tissue culture testing prior to establishing tissue culture lines
- updated plant sampling and approved PCR testing protocols, incorporating defined Ct (cycle threshold) cut-off values for test result reporting, in line with current diagnostic guidance
- a requirement for laboratory test reports to accompany phytosanitary certificates
- strengthened assurance over offshore controls, with offshore laboratories needing to be authorised by Australia to conduct Xylella testing
- removal of hot water treatment and offshore National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) approved arrangements for non-tissue culture imports.
Key changes for imports from low-risk Xylella countries/regions include:
- stronger assurance requirements for host plants sourced from low-risk Xylella countries/regions, particularly where sourcing occurs across multiple countries.
Full details of the changes, including test protocols and a preview of updated additional declaration statements, are available on the department's webpage on upcoming import conditions for Xylella host nursery stock.
Implementation dates
Changes will be made in a phased approach to support industry's transition to the new import conditions. This includes preparatory steps for testing laboratories to become authorised before the new conditions take effect.
Check BICON to access the current conditions for your goods.
Phase 1A – Applications for laboratory authorisations to conduct Xylella testing of plants from a high-risk country/region
Applications are now open for offshore testing laboratories to be authorised by Australia to conduct Xylella testing, which will soon be a mandatory import condition for tissue cultures from high-risk countries/regions.
- The application form and information on becoming authorised are available on the department's webpage.
- We will publish a list of department-authorised laboratories on 1 December 2026 to enable importers to begin transitioning to new arrangements.
Import conditions will not change during Phase 1A. Emergency measures remain in place until 20 January 2027.
Phase 1B – Commencement of new conditions, with transitional arrangements for mother plant testing of tissue cultures from a high-risk country/region
On 20 January 2027 new import conditions outlined on the department's webpage will come into effect. Consignments certified by the exporting NPPO from 20 January 2027 must meet the revised conditions outlined in Table 1.
For tissue cultures from a high-risk country/region for Xylella, a transitional period will be in place over 20 January 2027 – 27 April 2028 where testing of either mother tissue culture or mother plants will be accepted. This is to allow offshore production processes to fully pivot to the new mother plant testing conditions. However, during this period all testing and certification must comply with the updated testing protocols and requirements.
Table 1: Import conditions for Xylella host nursery stock from 20 January 2027| | High-risk country/region for Xylella | Low risk country/region for Xylella |
|---|
| Tissue cultures | Tissue cultures must be derived from either mother tissue cultures or mother plants that have been sampled and tested in line with Australia's requirements, and found free from Xylella spp.
A copy of the laboratory test report(s) must be provided for border assessment in Australia.
Consignment documentation must demonstrate a linkage between tested mother material and the imported tissue culture clonal plants.
The phytosanitary certificate must include one of the following additional declarations:
Option 1 – Mother culture testing
"The tissue cultures in this consignment comprise lot number/s [insert plant lot number(s)]; for each lot, plants were derived from mother tissue cultures that were sampled in accordance with ISPM 27 Annex 25 and Australia's requirements. Samples were tested at [insert name of authorised laboratory] using two department-approved PCR tests and found free from any species of Xylella as indicated on laboratory report number [insert number/codes]."
Option 2 – Mother plant testing
"The tissue cultures in this consignment comprise lot number/s [insert plant lot number(s)]; for each lot, plants and their mother tissue cultures were derived from mother plants that were sampled in accordance with ISPM 27 Annex 25 and Australia's requirements. Samples were tested at [insert name of authorised laboratory] using two department-approved PCR tests and found free from any species of Xylella as indicated on laboratory report number [insert number/code]. Mother plants were maintained in an insect proof environment while testing and cell collection was performed" | The phytosanitary certificate must include one of the following additional declarations:
Option 1 – Country of export is the same as the country of origin for the mother plants
"The tissue cultures in this consignment and the mother plants they were derived from, were grown only in [insert name of country], which is recognised by Australia as free from all species of Xylella."
Option 2 –Tissue culture and mother plants originate from different countries, both of which are free from Xylella spp.
"The tissue cultures in this consignment were grown in [insert name of country] and derive from mother plants grown only in [insert name of country]. Both countries are recognised by Australia as being free from all species of Xylella." |
| Other than tissue cultures | Consignments must undergo post-entry quarantine in Australia for a minimum of 12 months for disease screening and Xylella testing at the Australian government facility in Mickleham, Victoria. | The phytosanitary certificate must include one of the following additional declarations:
Option 1 – Country of export is the same as the country of origin for the mother plants
"Plant material in this consignment and its mother plant/s were grown only in [insert name of country], which is recognised by Australia as being free from all species of Xylella."
Option 2 – Plant material and mother plants originate from different countries, both of which are free from Xylella spp.
"Plant material in this consignment was grown in [insert name of country] and derives from mother plants grown only in [insert name of country]. Both countries are recognised by Australia as being free from all species of Xylella." |
All other nursery stock import conditions continue to apply.
Phase 2 – Mandatory mother plant testing for tissue cultures from high-risk countries/regions
From 28 April 2028, all imported tissue cultures from a high-risk country/region must be derived from mother plants that have been tested and found free of Xylella spp.
- Transitional measures under Phase 1B which enabled Xylella testing to be conducted on mother tissue cultures will cease.
- For these goods, consignments certified by the exporting NPPO on and after 28 April 2028 must comply with the mother plant testing conditions.
Impact on permits
The department will contact affected permit holders prior to 20 January 2027 to vary import permits in line with the changes, at no cost to permit holders.
Further information
Full details are located in the following webpages:
For enquiries, contact Plant Import Operations via email at imports@aff.gov.au (include 'Plant T2 – Xylella' in the subject line of the email) or by phone on 1800 900 090.