DAFF - FTA/APSA Biosecurity Report 43 27/10/2026 Sponsored by Wisetech Academy

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 and trade developments had a strong operational focus, with updates spanning treatment provider compliance, pest vigilance, vessel biosecurity, plant import conditions, BICON changes and DAFF system availability. While there were no new export notices this week, several developments on the import and broader biosecurity front warrant industry attention.

A notable release was DAFF's Biosecurity Funding and Expenditure Report 2025–26, now in its third year. The report provides insights into biosecurity funding, expenditure and national emergency responses, together with nine case studies demonstrating how investment is supporting priorities under the Biosecurity 2030 Roadmap, including regional capability, workforce development, digital reform and emergency preparedness. Read more HERE



On the operational front, treatment provider compliance was again in focus, with DAFF suspending two offshore treatment providers, Atilim IIaclama Liman Hizmetleri Metal ve Urunleri Ic ve Dis Tic.Ltd.Sti (AEI: TR4003SB) and Kinetik Cevresagligi Amb.Tar.muh.Dan.San.Tic.Ltd.Sti. (AEI: TR4001SB).

Industry was also reminded to remain vigilant for Red Imported Fire Ants at imported cargo and container facilities, while further notices covered vessel waste management, AusTreat registration renewals through ProviderHub and declared ports under the ship sanitation certification scheme.

Looking ahead, importers of Xylella host nursery stock should be preparing for strengthened import conditions commencing 20 January 2027. The changes include enhanced sampling, testing, laboratory and phytosanitary certification requirements, particularly for material sourced from high-risk countries and regions.
BICON changes this week also included strengthened testing requirements for imported Citrus spp. nursery stock, with mandatory PCR testing for Citrus vein enation virus (CVEV) during post-entry quarantine.

Other BICON changes were largely taxonomic, including updates involving Collybia nuda, Aquilegia coerulea, Alternanthera brasiliana and Alternanthera dentata, with no new import requirements arising from those nomenclature changes.

There were no new DAFF export notices this week, making imports and biosecurity operations the primary focus of regulatory activity.

DAFF system availability was another recurring issue, with a series of scheduled outages and service disruptions affecting multiple systems during the period. A planned outage for 26 to 27 October was subsequently cancelled, while a further service disruption was advised for 27 to 28 October. Members should continue to monitor system notifications and factor potential interruptions into time-sensitive lodgements and processing

Another development highlighting Australia's investment in border security was DAFF's update on Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, outlining preparations to ensure biosecurity operations are ready from the airport's first international arrivals. The work demonstrates the practical investment being made in border capability and preparedness as Australia expands its international passenger and cargo gateways.

Overall, this week's developments highlight the continued emphasis on biosecurity preparedness, offshore treatment compliance, early pest detection and stronger plant health controls, supported by longer-term government investment in capability, technology and emergency preparedness.

We hope you enjoy this week's report.

Summary

Import Updates 

Import activity this week focused on offshore treatment provider compliance, pest vigilance, vessel biosecurity and upcoming changes to plant import conditions.

DAFF suspended two offshore treatment providers Atilim IIaclama Liman Hizmetleri Metal ve Urunleri Ic ve Dis Tic.Ltd.Sti (AEI: TR4003SB) and Kinetik Cevresagligi Amb.Tar.muh.Dan.San.Tic.Ltd.Sti. (AEI: TR4001SB). Importers, brokers and other industry participants should take note of these suspensions when arranging treatments for imported goods.

Biosecurity preparedness was also a key focus, with DAFF reminding cargo and container facilities to remain vigilant for Red Imported Fire Ants, alongside updated advice concerning vessel waste management.

Further notices advised that AusTreat registration renewals are now available through ProviderHub and provided information on declared ports under the ship sanitation certification scheme. 

DAFF also reminded industry of changes to import conditions for Xylella host nursery stock commencing 20 January 2027, giving importers and overseas suppliers time to prepare for the strengthened requirements.

Overall, this week's notices reinforce DAFF's focus on treatment provider compliance, early detection of biosecurity risks and preparedness across cargo, vessel and plant import pathways.
 

Export Updates

No new export notices were issued by DAFF this week. Industry participants should continue to monitor DAFF communications for any changes to export requirements, market access conditions or certification arrangements.
 

System Notifications - Outages, Service Disruptions and Restorations

This week's system notifications were dominated by scheduled maintenance and service disruptions across multiple systems, with several outages planned between 24 and 30 October. The scheduled outage for 26 to 27 October was subsequently cancelled, with a new service disruption advised for 27 to 28 October.

Earlier notices covered scheduled disruptions over the weekend of 24 to 25 October and further maintenance extending through to 30 October, highlighting the potential for intermittent system availability during the period.

DAFF also reported disruptions affecting MARS and DAFF messaging, while separate notifications confirmed restoration of AIMS and other affected systems following earlier service interruptions. Industry participants should continue to monitor DAFF system notifications and allow for possible processing delays when planning lodgements and other time sensitive activities.

BICON Watch - Weekly Case updates 

This week's BICON case alerts and updates focused on strengthened biosecurity controls for nursery stock, alongside several taxonomic and nomenclature changes to improve consistency across import cases.

The key forward-looking change relates to Xylella host nursery stock, with strengthened testing, laboratory and certification requirements commencing 20 January 2027. For high-risk countries and regions, updated sampling and PCR testing requirements will apply, offshore testing will need to be conducted by a department-authorised laboratory, and supporting laboratory reports and revised phytosanitary declarations will be required. Hot water treatment and offshore NPPO-approved arrangements will no longer be accepted for non-tissue culture imports.

Testing requirements for Citrus spp. nursery stock have also been strengthened, with mandatory PCR testing for Citrus vein enation virus (CVEV) during post-entry quarantine replacing reliance on visual inspection and woody indexing for CVEV screening. The existing minimum 24-month quarantine period at the Mickleham PEQ facility remains unchanged.
Other BICON changes were primarily administrative and taxonomic. Collybia nuda is now the accepted name for Lepista nuda, while Aquilegia coerulea, Alternanthera brasiliana and Alternanthera dentata have been added or aligned across relevant seed and human consumption cases. These nomenclature updates do not introduce new import requirements.
 
 

Cargo Operations Snapshot

2026-2027 FTA Online CPD Training Packages

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

• Meeting 104 2026 – Communique
• Meeting 104 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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