Individuals, partnerships, trusts and companies intending to export prescribed meat or meat products derived from cattle (excluding buffalo), sheep or goats must apply for a meat export license issued under the Export Control Act 2020 if they do not already hold a valid meat export licence. Prescribed meat or meat products includes products such as meat for human consumption, and offal (including casings).
For an exporter to be eligible to export prescribed meat or meat products derived from cattle, sheep or goats, they must hold a valid meat export licence issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. If an exporter does not hold a valid meat export licence when submitting a request to export the aforementioned products, the request will be rejected and the exporter will not be issued with an export permit or export documentation (such as a health certificate).
Meat export licences are issued for a 12-month period. Exporters must apply to renew their meat export licence if they intend to export after their current meat export licence expires.
The exporter is responsible to ensure that they apply to renew their meat export licence.
The department will contact the licence holder to remind them that the licence is due to expire and request that they submit a renewal application. Exporters can assist the department in this by ensuring that they provide current email address contact information to the department.
How to apply for a licence
Exporters must be accredited by AUS-MEAT for the relevant activities the exporter intends to undertake (packer or non-packer activities) before the department will accept an application for a licence to export prescribed meat or meat products.
Once accredited by AUS-MEAT, the exporter must complete the meat export licence application form and provide relevant supporting documentation (including a valid AUS-MEAT certificate of accreditation).
Complete the meat export licence application form (EX31). Email your completed form and supporting documents to: exportmeatlicensing@aff.gov.au
Or, the exporter can apply online in the Export Service for a new meat licence. The exporter can also apply to renew, vary or cancel an existing licence. Exporters will need to create an account to use the service.
Get set up in the Export Service
Follow our step-by-step guide Licensing onboarding to the Export Service.
Cost
We charge an annual flat fee for meat export licence application assessments; this is charged before the department begins assessment of an application. The charge does not apply if the exporter is the occupier of a registered meat establishment.
See our Fees and charges for charges that may apply to you, or please email exportmeatlicensing@aff.gov.au for further information on application fees.
Assessment process
We will assess an application for competency across three areas: technical ability as a packer or non-packer, financial standing and integrity.
Technical competency
A copy of a current AUS-MEAT Certificate of Accreditation must be provided as acceptable proof of your technical competency.
Financial standing
The department will assess your financial standing as is required under s191(2)(d) of the Export Control Act 2020.
This will include review of overdue debts that you hold with the department and other matters that may be relevant.
Integrity competency
The applicant and all nominated persons listed on the application will be assessed by the department under the Fit and Proper Person provisions of the Export Control Act 2020.
For more information, visit our web page Fit and Proper Person test (as per Section 372 of the Export Control Act 2020) that is used to assess integrity.
Maintain your AUS-MEAT accreditation
All exporters that hold a meat export licence must maintain their accreditation with AUSMEAT.
It is a condition of holding a meat export licence that the exporter must inform the department if their AUS-MEAT accreditation lapses or is revoked.
Further information
Exporters can register to use our Export Documentation System (EXDOC) for electronic documents and certificates.
For queries about meat export licensing requirements, contact:
Email: Export Meat Licensing