DAFF Approved arrangement Class 19 Continuing Biosecurity Competency (CBC)

NOW LIVE

The second Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) activity for Approved Arrangement Class 19 accredited persons (CBC 2026-2027/02 - CPD0310 is now live for completion.

The activity includes both a learning and assessment component and is delivered through the department's education and training platform, Learnhub ONLY.

Important: All accredited persons must complete the CBC activity by Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
 

For further information or need assistance please visit the CBC webpage or email the Department directly on Class19@aff.gov.au

2026 Mandatory ABF CPD Module

UPCOMING WEBINARS

FTA/APSA Global Shipping Insights.

Join us as we break down the latest FTA/APSA Shipping Report, covering:

• Rate trends and post-tariff market shifts

• Congestion, capacity challenges, and blank sailings

• Geopolitical Issues and changing global routes

• Australia's trade and port updates

Your Invoices Aren't Checked. Here's Where the Margin Goes, and How to Get It Back.

In this 30-minute session, Nate Perkins, VP & GM of Payables at BravoTran, goes into the detail with real invoices. You'll see:
• A single invoice broken out line by line, showing where "close enough" turns into lost margin
• The five exceptions that cost forwarders the most, and who should own each one
• A live look at an AP process where your team only touches the exceptions

Simplify the USA - Navigating Executive Order 14411 for Foreign Importers of Record

This webinar is designed for exporters, importers, logistics professionals, and business leaders involved in USA trade who want greater confidence and clarity in managing their supply chain operations.

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

John spoke on the requirements of Australian Border Force, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the need to work closely with a Licenced Australian Customs Brokerage to ensure all paperwork was in order. 

And of course, no catch up would be complete without touching on the seemingly never-ending conversations around AI, offshoring and anti-dumping the big hot topic of late. A really enjoyable and valuable catch-up with the team at I.H.Hunter.

A sincere thank you to Vanda Fortunato PhD, FAICD for the invitation, and to her Industry Skills Australia colleagues Gary Wegert and Camilla Elmes for their hospitality throughout the evening.

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

The Summary Podcast - Western Sydney Airport

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) has officially commenced operations, marking a historic milestone as Australia's first major international airport to open in more than half a century.

Paul Zalai, Director and Co-founder of FTA was priviliged to join Infrastructure Australia CEO Adam Copp on The Summary PODCAST hosted by Josh Bryant, providing commentary on this transformational investment in Australia's transport infrastructure and the anticipated long-term benefits to the aviation, freight and trade sectors. READ MORE 

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

MARK YOUR DIARY
FOR OUR 2027 BORDER COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

Licensed customs brokers who attend the full program will earn 24 CPD points, providing a valuable opportunity to meet professional development requirements while gaining the latest insights into border and biosecurity compliance and industry best practice.

• Victoria – Friday 30 April & Saturday 1 May 2027 | Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields

• Western Australia – Saturday 15 May 2027 | Novotel Murray Street, Perth

• Queensland – Wednesday 26 May 2027 | Brisbane Airport Conference Centre

• New South Wales – Friday 18 June & Saturday 19 June 2027 | The Brighton Hotel

LOGISTICS

Port of Newcastle connects the Hunter to New Zealand with new service

Multipurpose Terminal at Mayfield, giving regional manufacturers, exporters and importers another pathway to market.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the service demonstrated how diversification will deliver practical benefits for the Hunter.READ MORE

Swan River Crossings - Fremantle Traffic Bridge

In the latest update from Main Roads WA we look at 

• New Bridge Name Announced

• Community Festival - 1 November 2026

• Road Network Changes

• Construction update
  READ MORE

Austal secures $245m federal loan to expand WA shipbuilding capacity

AUSTAL will expand its defence shipbuilding capability in Western Australia after securing a $245 million loan from the federal government's National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC), enabling construction of new advanced manufacturing facilities at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. NRFC chief executive David Gall said the investment would "embed vital sovereign naval assembly and quality assurance capabilities onshore", strengthening Australia's long-term defence industrial base. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Notices:

SEA FREIGHT

Shanghai and Melbourne push green shipping corridor

AN IMPLEMENTATION plan for a Green Shipping Corridor has been announced by the ports of Shanghai and Melbourne, backed by non-government organisation C40 Cities. The move is part of an effort to decarbonise maritime shipping.
 

The GSC Implementation Plan is said to lay out clear steps to advance the use of green methanol and other non-fossil-based low-carbon fuels as cleaner alternatives for powering ships.
 

The Port of Melbourne has committed to net zero by 2030 for its own business operations and seeks to progress bunkering feasibility in Melbourne via the plan. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Last week John Park attended the Pilbara Ports, Safe Ships Safe Ports Forum along with some 900 maritime leaders and industry experts from around the world at Optus Stadium in Perth The event centred on collaboration, innovation and leadership in maritime safety. Especially interesting was the session on Ammonia fuelled vessels and the impending arrival of the Mineral Eurpoa (the first ammonia powered ship in the series) into Port Hedland where it will perform a bunkering operation as well as load cargo for its return voyage to China. 

Port Authority of NSW - Port Matters Spring 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of Port Matters, In this issue, we are pleased to provide an update on activities around our ports.including;

• Our new Chair, Justine Jarvinen

• Seafarer Welfare Fund marks $1.5m milestone in third year

• New simulation and Harbour Master panel headline 2026 Safe and Efficient Port Operations Forum

• White Bay Shore Power project reaches major engineering milestone
  READ MORE

Notices:

AIR FREIGHT

Western Sydney takes off to the world as Air New Zealand takes flight

Sydney's new 24-hour global gateway welcomed its inaugural international passengers, with Air New Zealand touching down from Auckland this morning, connecting Western Sydney to the world. 

The arrival of flight NZ165 marks another major historic milestone for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), just one day after it officially opened and welcomed its first domestic passengers.WSI CEO Simon Hickey said he was delighted to mark the arrival of the airport's first international passengers, which demonstrated the exciting new opportunities WSI was creating for airlines and their passengers.  READ MORE 

Please refer the Qantas Freight website for updates on operational matters. 

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Please click  HERE for the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by Wise Tech Academy

TRADE

Agribusiness & Food News

In this edition hear more on Austrade's Trade and Investment Report for 2025/26 as well as these items;

• New podcast launched: The Next Market with Austrade

• National Farmers' Federation drives opportunity in Indonesia

• Australian citrus promotion bears fruit in Korea

• Indonesia halal requirements delayed
  READ MORE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 27th October 2026

National ports, the Australian Bureau of statistics and data from other sources  

LOGIN REQUIRED

FTA have added the Xe exchange rate widget to the right sidebar on our FTAlliance.com.au home page, so members can easily convert using live rates provided by our affiliate partner in Xe.

It also has a link to the Xe/FTA landing page for members to create a free account with Xe.

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 27th October 2026

FTA has compiled a list of Anti-Dumping Notices from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources 

BORDER

Three people charged following alleged 120 kg cocaine import hidden in furniture

Three people have been charged by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF) for their alleged involvement in a plot to import 120kg of cocaine into Melbourne.  

The trio was arrested on Tuesday (20 October, 2026) and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, contrary to subsections 11.5 and 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth). READ MORE (story credit ABF Newsroom)

In the October edition of the newsletter we look at;

• New Executive Director appointed 

• Proposed revisions to the 2027 Categorisation Guidelines

• Draft evaluation on Australian introduction and use of PFAS

• 2025–26 annual declarations
  READ MORE

ABF take aim at Illicit firearms in Week of Action

??????The Australian Border Force (ABF) has seized dozens of illicit firearms and parts, along with hundreds of gel blasters as part of nationally coordinated enforcement activity targeting the illicit firearms market. ABF-led activity resulted in the seizure of 27 firearms, including privately manufactured firearms, shotguns, air rifles, imitation firearms, 58 suppressors, firearm parts, manufacturing equipment and ammunition, 728 gel blasters and 3.6 million gel rounds, illicit drugs and cash. READ MORE (story creit ABF Newsroom)

Notices

WEBINARS & RECORDINGS

Stay at the cutting edge through participation in live webinars and access to recordings – all are FREE & EXCLUSIVE to Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) members.     LOGIN REQUIRED

Operational Support
For the timeliest response from our team, FTA / APSA members are reminded to send requests for operational support to support@FTAlliance.com.au

Training, Finance & Events Enquiries
For the timeliest response from our team, FTA / APSA members are reminded to send training, finance, events and general administration enquiries to Training@FTAlliance.com.au

To select your communication preferences please click on "Update Subscription Preferences" at the bottom of any FTA notice -  READ MORE

SPONSORS

FTA and APSA are proud to connect members with the following sponsors as leading suppliers of services to the freight and trade sectors.

Sponsorship prospectus is available HERE