DAFF - FTA/APSA Biosecurity Report 40 - 06/10/2026 Sponsored by Luckens Fumigation Services

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

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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's biosecurity developments focused on the implementation of new import controls, compliance initiatives, and ongoing improvements to import assessment processes. While there were no major policy shifts or emergency responses, DAFF continued its focus on strengthening biosecurity safeguards while streamlining trade and permit pathways.

Import developments included the commencement of new biosecurity instruments, updated BICON arrangements for fish bins imported via the LCL pathway, and the introduction of new permit pathways for goods not intended for livestock use and other animal related products. DAFF also expanded the Compliance Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS ) to include chilled segmented durian from Thailand and suspended treatment provider Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics NV (AEI:BE4005SB) from its approved treatment provider list.

This week's BICON updates centred on improving regulatory clarity and processing efficiency. Changes included new documentation requirements for pea seed for sowing imports, updates to approved Phalaenopsis nursery stock sources from Taiwan, revised conditions for straw and cereal straw products, new standard permit pathways for biological products, and simplified dairy production questionnaires to support more efficient import assessments.

System notifications were largely maintenance related, with planned outages affecting PEBS, COLS, COLSB2G, and other departmental systems between 1 and 8 October. DAFF also advised of an unplanned messaging outage that was subsequently restored, highlighting the ongoing importance of monitoring system availability when planning cargo and documentation activities.

Export activity remained relatively quiet, with DAFF's announcement of new palletisation requirements for honey and other edible non prescribed goods exported to Oman representing the week's most significant export related development.

Overall, this week's updates reflected DAFF's continued focus on enhancing compliance, improving import processing arrangements, and maintaining Australia's strong biosecurity protections while supporting efficient trade outcomes. While the week was lighter on major policy announcements, the numerous procedural and system updates highlight the importance of industry participants remaining vigilant to incremental regulatory changes that can have a direct operational impact on import and export activities.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.

Summary

Import Updates 

Import related activity this week was largely focused on biosecurity and compliance updates from DAFF. Key developments included the introduction of new biosecurity instruments now in effect, updated BICON requirements for fish bins under the LCL pathway, and new standard permit conditions for goods not intended for livestock and other animal related purposes. DAFF also announced the expansion of the Compliance Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) to include chilled segmented durian from Thailand, while suspending Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics NV (AEI:BE4005SB) from the list of approved treatment providers. Collectively, these updates highlight DAFF's ongoing focus on strengthening import compliance frameworks and maintaining biosecurity safeguards across a range of import pathways and commodities.

Export Updates

Export activity remained relatively quiet this week, with only one notable update issued by DAFF. On 2 October 2026, DAFF released MAA 2026-07 advising of new palletisation requirements for honey and other edible non-prescribed goods exported to Oman. Exporters shipping these products to the Omani market should review the updated requirements to ensure continued compliance and avoid potential delays or disruptions to consignments. Aside from this notice, there were no other significant export developments to report during the week.
 

 

System Notifications - Planned Outages and Service Restorations

This week's system notifications were focused on scheduled outages, service disruptions, and service restoration activities across several DAFF systems. Industry was advised of planned outages impacting PEBS, COLS, COLSB2G, and multiple other departmental systems between 1 and 8 October 2026 as part of ongoing maintenance and system improvement activities.

DAFF also reported an unplanned outage affecting Messaging services had been successfully restored on 3 October 2026. Overall, this week's notifications reflect continued maintenance and support efforts aimed at maintaining the reliability, performance, and availability of DAFF's operational and communication systems.
 

BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates 

This week's BICON updates focused on improving import assessment processes through enhanced documentation requirements, updated approved supplier arrangements, and greater clarity across several plant, animal related and dairy import pathways.

A new documentation requirement for pea seed for sowing imports came into effect on 2 October 2026, requiring importers to provide documents verifying the botanical name of imported seed. The change is intended to improve species verification, reduce inconsistencies, and minimise border delays.

The Department also updated the list of approved sources of Phalaenopsis nursery stock from Taiwan, with changes to approved, reinstated, suspended ad removed growers and greenhouses.

Updates to the Straw, cereal straw articles and products case clarified the scope of the pathway, provided clearer guidance on highly processed products such as straw brooms, and aligned treatment options across import conditions and onshore outcomes to improve consistency and assessment efficiency.

In addition, four new standard permit pathways were introduced for goods not intended for livestock use and goods for animal related purposes, providing clearer permit options and streamlining assessments without affecting existing permits.

Updates were also made to the Dairy case production questionnaires to simplify information requirements, reduce requests for clarification, and support more efficient processing of dairy import assessments.

Overall, this week's changes focus on improving regulatory clarity, consistency and processing efficiency while maintaining Australia's biosecurity protections.
 

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS) - Suspension Update 

DAFF has advised that treatment provider Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics NV (AEI: BE4005SB) has been suspended and its status updated on the Department's list of Treatment Providers. Importers, brokers, and supply chain participants relying on treatment certificates issued by this provider should review the notice and assess any potential impacts on consignments requiring recognised offshore treatment. Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor further DAFF updates reagrding the provider's status and any implications for affected imports.
 

Cargo Operations Snapshot

The historical Cargo Operations Snapshot trend reporting has been paused following an extended period of stable and consistent assessment performance by DAFF. FTA will continue to monitor the underlying data and engage with DAFF where required. The latest Cargo Operations Snapshot remains available via the report link below.

Note: It is recommended that members note the Data Definitions on page 3 when viewing the following report provided by DAFF.

05 October 2026 Report LOGIN HERE

2026-2027 FTA Online CPD Training Packages

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. GST) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD training for the cost of only $300 (excl. GST) per customs broker licensing period. Please email the team at training@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.

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

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) brings together DAFF and industry representatives to address biosecurity issues impacting trade and logistics with the purpose to ensure effective biosecurity regulation without unnecessary trade barriers. FTA proudly represents the freight and trade sector on this vital committee.

The DCCC meets a minimum of three times per year with out-of-session meetings scheduled as necessary. The most recent meeting was held on 2 September 2026. Meeting minutes will be released in due course. The next meeting is scheduled for 12 November 2026

Following are the latest DCCC Meeting minutes, communiques and papers:

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS):

AFAS is a bilateral arrangement between DAFF and participating overseas government agencies. AFAS manages the high biosecurity risk posed by ineffective treatments performed offshore.

Treatment providers registered and listed as approved is available on the List of treatment providers.

- Recent Reviews and/or Suspensions:

02 October 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 169-2026 List of treatment providers update: treatment provider suspended - Wallenius Wilhelmsen logistics NV (AEI:BE4005SB)
 
Notices:

- Exports :

02 October 2026: DAFF - MAA 2026-07 Honey and other edible non-prescribed goods: Oman: new palletisation requirements
 
To receive real-time automated notices direct from DAFF, please register HERE. 
- Imports:

02 October 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 169-2026 List of treatment providers update: treatment provider suspended - Wallenius Wilhelmsen logistics NV (AEI:BE4005SB)
02 October 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 168-2026 Expanding the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) to include chilled segmented durian from Thailand
01 October 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 167-2026 New biosecurity instruments now in effect
30 September 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 166-2026 BICON Case: Fish bins - Update to LCL pathway
29 September 2026 : DAFF - IIAN : 165-2026 New standard permit conditions for all goods 'not intended for livestock' and goods for animal related purposes
 
- System Notifications: 
To support customs brokers and importers in staying ahead of operational changes, we have introduced a weekly snapshot of BICON case updates issued in the past seven days. This section will highlight newly added conditions, revised import pathways, and notable treatment or permit changes that may affect lodgements and client advice.

Case Alerts:

No new case alerts this week.
 
Case Changes:   

New Documentation requirement for pea seed for sowing

Effective 2 October 2026, a new documentation requirement has been introduced for pea seed for sowing imports. Importers must now provide documentation that verifies the scientific (botanical) name of the seed being imported. Acceptable documents include:  
  • Packing list
  • Supplier declaration
  • Invoice
  • Phytosanitary certificate
This change aims to reduce inconsistencies, improve species verifications, and minimise border delays caused by requests for additional information.The new requirement applies to pea seed for sowing imports and will also be progressively implemented across other restricted seed-for-sowing pathways that require post-entry quarantine. Existing import permits will be varied as required at no cost to importers.


Updates to the 'Approved sources of Phalaenopsis spp. nursery stock from Taiwan 'list

Effective 2 October 2026, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has updated the list of approved sources of Phalaenopsis spp.nursery stock from Taiwan. Importers, customs brokers, and departmental staff should review the revised list, as some growers and greenhouses have been newly approved, reinstated, suspended, or removed.

Update to Straw, cereal straw articles and products case content and conditions

Effective 1 October 2026, updates haven been made to the Straw, cereal straw articles and products BICON case to improve clarity, consistency, and alignment across import pathways. The changes include a new reference to the Permitted plant fibres case for eligible straw articles, clearer guidance on what constitutes a highly processed article (including clarification that straw brooms are not considered highly processed), and updated treatment wording to clarify that dry heat treatment is not suitable for seed contaminants. Treatment options have also been aligned between import conditions and onshore outcomes to ensure consistency.

BICON CASE CHANGES:
  • Addition of a reference in the case overview to the 'Permitted plant fibres' case for straw articles made of permitted fibres.
  • Updated question help for 'Are the goods commercially manufactured and highly processed articles?' to further clarify goods that are not to be assessed as highly processed e.g. straw brooms.
  • Updated the list of treatment options in import conditions for all pathways. This is purely administrative to improve condition wording and include a note to clarify that dry heat treatment is not acceptable for treating seed contaminants. No changes were made to the listed treatment types or treatment rates.
  • Aligned the list of treatment options in the onshore outcomes with those in the import conditions. Previously moist heat treatment at 95°C for 24 hours was not listed in the onshore outcomes.
These updates support clearer expectations for importers, brokers, and departmental staff while improving the assessment of straw products from the Poacea family.

New Standard permit pathways for all goods not intended for livestock & for animal related purposes

Effective 30 September 2026, the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry has introduced four new standard permit pathways to simplify the import process for biological products. The new pathways distinguish between goods not intended for livestock use and goods permitted for animal-related purposes, providing greater clarity around permitted end uses and permit requirements. Corresponding amendments have been made within BICON to support these pathways, helping streamline permit assessments while ensuring appropriate biosecurity controls remain in place. The changes do not affect existing import permits.

Updated production questionnaires in the BICON case 'Dairy'

Effective 29 September 2026, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has updated the production questionnaires within the BICON Dairy case to streamline assessment requirements and reduce administrative burden. The changes simplify the information required for quality assurance systems and production facility approvals across all dairy and cheese questionnaires. In addition, the questionnaire for cheese produced in countries not listed as FMD-free has been enhanced by combining the pH and ripening questions into a single section with a supporting table format, making it easier for manufacturers to provide clear production paraments. These updates are expected to reduce requests for clarification and support faster assessment of imported dairy products.
 

Reminder - Stay Updated on Import & Export Conditions:

> Import Conditions via BICON:
 
Members are encouraged to reference BICON, Australia's biosecurity import conditions database, for any specific commodity concerns or changes related to Import Industry Advice Notices.

BICON provides up-to-date Australian biosecurity import conditions to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions.
 
> Export Conditions via Micor:
 
Members are encouraged to regularly consult Micor (Manual of Importing Country Requirements) for the latest export requirements, certification details, and market access conditions for specific commodities.
 
Micor is DAFF's central resource for ensuring compliance with overseas import regulations—helping exporters stay informed, avoid delays, and maintain access to key markets.
 

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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