16 October 2026
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise the citrus industry that applications are now open for packhouse accreditation for the 2027 season to export citrus to protocol markets, and approval for eligible accredited packhouses to operate under the packhouse grower supplier model (PGSM).
Summary of changes and key points
- Applications are now open for packhouse accreditation to export citrus to South Korea, China, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand and the United States for the 2027 season.
- Packhouse managers can complete application forms online through the Citrus Australia registration system. Applications must be completed by 5:00pm AEDT Friday 30 October 2026. 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 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 2026, 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 previously applied for accreditation, 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 the department 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
- Some markets only require accreditation in the select circumstances outline below. Please refer to the protocols and workplans in the ‘Documents’ section of Micor for further information.
- Packhouses exporting to the following markets must apply for accreditation:
- South Korea
- China
- Thailand
- Japan
Note: Accreditation is issued only to packhouses located in fruit fly pest free areas. All other packhouses that apply may export without accreditation. - New Zealand
Note: Only packhouses sourcing fruit from farms located in Queensland need to be accredited - United States
Note: Market access is limited to specific production areas. Refer to the Micor case for further information.
- Accreditation is not required for exports to other markets.
Packhouse responsibilities
- Packhouses must apply for accreditation annually.
- If your packhouse was accredited in 2026, 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 be conducted on all accredited property applications. Properties with debt owing to the Commonwealth will be notified and given 10 business days to pay it or enter a payment arrangement. If the debt is not paid, the application will be refused.
- Packhouses must be available for audit by the department, to ensure compliance with the protocol and departmental requirements. Some entities may be audited by the importing country.
- Audits will occur either pre-season and/or in-season (during harvest). Any packhouse not accredited during the 2026 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 the 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 for export in the previous export (2026). Packhouses applying for export accreditation for the first time in 2027 are not eligible for the PGSM.
- 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