03 October 2025
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the citrus industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of packhouses to export to protocol markets for the 2026 season, as well as the accreditation of packhouses under the packhouse grower supplier model (PGSM).
Summary of changes and key points
- Applications are now open for the accreditation of packhouses to export citrus to protocol markets of South Korea, China, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand and the United States for the 2026 season.
- Packhouse managers can complete the application forms online through the Citrus Australia registration system. Applications must be completed by 5:00pm AEDT Friday 31 October 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Note: All information in the application including ABNs, contact details and addresses must be complete and correct or the application may not be accepted. - Packhouse managers can now also apply for an additional export function to operate under the PGSM online through the Citrus Australia registration system.
- If your packhouse was accredited by the department for exports to protocol markets in 2025, your details are already in the system, and you will receive an email from Citrus Australia. If you have not already received an email, please contact Citrus Australia.
- If you have not applied for accreditation previously, please contact Citrus Australia.
Background
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce.
Packhouses intending to export citrus to certain markets must be accredited by us prior to export.
For specific market requirements, refer to the relevant protocol and/or work plan in the ‘Documents’ section of the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor). To access these documents, you must register as a Micor Plants user.
Specific market accreditation requirements
- Packhouses exporting to the following markets must apply for accreditation:
- South Korea
- China
- Thailand
- Japan
Note: Accreditation will be issued to packhouses located in fruit fly pest free areas. All other packhouses that apply can export without accreditation. - New Zealand (only packhouses sourcing fruit from farms located in Queensland need to be accredited)
- United States (access to this market is limited to specific production areas. Please refer to the Micor case for further information)
Note: Some markets only require accreditation in the select circumstances outlined above. Please refer to the protocols and workplans in the ‘Documents’ section of Micor for further information.
- Exports to all other markets do not require accreditation.
Packhouse responsibilities
- Packhouses must apply for accreditation annually.
- If your packhouse was accredited in 2025, your details are already in the Citrus Australia online system. If you wish to change any details, do not delete your existing details. Please contact Citrus Australia to make amendments to existing details.
- Debt checks will occur on all accredited property applications. Properties with debt owing to the Commonwealth will be notified and given 10 business days to pay the relevant debt or enter into a payment arrangement. If the debt is not paid, the accredited property application will be refused.
- Packhouses must be available for audit by the department, to ensure compliance with the protocol and our requirements. Some entities may be audited by the importing country.
- Audits will occur either pre-season and/or in-season (during harvest). Any packhouse that was not accredited during the 2025 season will be audited pre-season.
- Accreditation and/or continuation of accreditation will be dependent on audit outcomes.
Note: The department may use a combination of announced and unannounced audits as part of our assurance process. - Applicants will be advised of the audit outcome, and accreditation number/s will be provided.
- The department can only accredit an entity for export if all protocol requirements are met.
- Packhouse managers must be aware of all growers that have nominated to pack at their packhouse at time of audit.
- Requirements for accredited properties, including management and audit process instructions and performance standards can be found on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
Packhouse grower supplier model (PGSM)
The PGSM is a voluntary, alternative assurance model and auditing program for accredited property packhouses and farms.
Application process
- To be eligible, the packhouse must have been accredited in the previous export season (2024-25).
- Applications can be submitted online through the Citrus Australia registration system.
- All supporting documentation must be provided with the application.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding applying for accreditation, please email Citrus Australia.
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
Jemma Martin
Assistant Secretary
Plant Exports Branch