19 May 2026
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses, and the registrations of treatment facilities to export bananas, capsicum, papaya and sweetcorn to New Zealand.
Summary of key points and changes
- Applications are now open for the accreditation of farms and packhouses intending to export fresh bananas, capsicum, papaya and sweetcorn under the New Zealand Export Plan (NZEP).
- Farm and packhouse managers must submit their completed applications to Audit Services.
- Farms and packhouses will be subject to audits by the department to ensure all protocol requirements are met. New applicants will be audited pre-season.
- For further information refer to the NZEP.
Background
Countries with protocol markets have specific requirements for importing Australian produce. The NZEP details when specific commodities require farm, packhouse or treatment facility accreditation or registration.
For the specific market requirements, refer to the NZEP on the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) Plants. To access these documents, you must register as a Micor Plants user.
Accredited property responsibilities – Farms and packhouses
- Farms and packhouses must apply for accreditation annually.
- Growers may divide their farm into blocks. Each block must be clearly identified on the application form and on the farm map by its physical address or geographic co-ordinates. A block must be a contiguous unit and not be separated by structures such as a building, public road or body of water.
Note: For further information, refer to the Exports process instruction: Management of horticulture export accredited properties on the Plant Export Operations Manual.
- Farms and packhouses must be available for audits by the department to ensure compliance with the protocol and the department’s requirements.
- 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 a payment arrangement. If the debt is not paid, the accredited property application will be refused.
Crop monitor responsibilities
- Online crop monitor training must be completed annually through Core Crop Monitoring module on Learnhub.
- Crop monitors must register to conduct crop monitor training by completing and submitting the Crop Monitor Training Request Form, including those who have completed training in previous seasons.
- Crop monitors must have completed the training and passed the assessments at time of audit of the accredited properties.
- Only crop monitors who have completed the online training and passed the assessment are eligible to conduct crop monitoring for protocol markets.
- Crop monitors will be audited by the department for compliance at the relevant accredited property audit.
Treatment facility responsibilities
- Treatment facilities must be a registered establishment and approved for the specific country, commodity and treatment combination for protocol markets.
- Treatment facilities that are already approved for fresh bananas, capsicum, papaya and sweetcorn to New Zealand do not need to re-apply.
- Treatment facilities seeking approval, to vary any plant operation, or make changes to their documented systems must do so via the Export Service platform.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email the Horticulture Exports Program.
Jemma Martin
Assistant Secretary
Plant Exports Branch