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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Agriculture and land
  3. Farming, food and rural support
  4. Agricultural and veterinary chemicals
  5. Importing and exporting chemicals

Sidebar first - Farming

  • Agricultural and veterinary chemicals
    • Importing and exporting chemicals
    • Domestic policy
      • History of COAG reforms
        • A single national framework for the regulation of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines - funding model
        • A single national framework for the regulation of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines - regulatory model
        • Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to COAG
      • The Harmonised Agvet Chemical Control of Use Task group (HACCUT)
      • Harmonisation of off-label use in agricultural chemicals
      • Harmonisation of VPCR treatment of Livestock
      • Independent research on agvet chemicals monitoring data in Australia
    • Improved access to agricultural and veterinary chemicals
      • Assistance grants-Access to industry priority uses of Agvet Chemicals
    • International policy
      • Methyl Bromide and the Montreal Protocol
      • Rotterdam Convention
      • Stockholm Convention
      • Working Group on Pesticides
    • Reforming the regulation of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines
      • Detailed response to the Rapid Evaluation of the APVMA’s structure and governance and other reviews
        • Rapid Evaluation of the APVMA
        • APVMA Strategic Review Report
        • Independent Review of the agvet chemicals regulatory system
      • Streamlining the regulation of agvet chemicals
        • APVMA Board and Other Improvements Bill 2019
        • Recent Agvet Chemicals Regulations Amendments and Ministerial Orders
        • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2018
        • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Operational Efficiency) Bill 2017
        • Previous consultation
      • Previous reviews related to agricultural and veterinary chemicals regulation
      • APVMA Board Review
    • Chemical Regulation
    • APVMA Review of Cost Recovery Arrangements - 2017
    • Cost benefit and risk analysis of the potential relocation of the APVMA - 2016

Importing and exporting chemicals

Chemicals subject to the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions

On 18 August 2004, Australia became a party to two international agreements relating to the trade of certain hazardous chemicals. These agreements are the:

  • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
  • Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

To implement these conventions, controls on import, manufacture, use and export have been introduced under the:

  • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Regulations 1995 (Agvet Regulations)
  • Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
  • Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958

The Agvet Regulations prohibit certain activities in relation to these chemicals either absolutely or subject to conditions. The Customs Regulations complement the Agvet Regulations by introducing controls at the border. For information on the import, export and use of chemicals listed under these conventions, please see the following links

Stockholm Convention
Rotterdam Convention

Applications for permission to import chemicals controlled under the Stockholm Convention must be made using the online permit application system.​​​

The Minamata Convention on Mercury and Lighting

The Mercury Convention addresses mercury releases through its lifecycle: mining, import and export, manufacture into products, emission and releases, contaminated sites, waste management, recovery and reuse.

Australia signed the Convention in October 2013 and is now considering ratifying the Convention and being bound by its requirements. More information on this convention can be found here.

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Page last updated: 05 August 2021

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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