Low-risk audits for dairy, eggs and fish establishments

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry audits export registered establishments to verify the procedures documented in their Approved Arrangement (AA) and assure compliance with export legislation.

Audit frequencies for dairy, egg and fish exports are determined by the type of export registered establishment. Establishments undertaking higher risk operations are audited more frequently.

Audit program for low-risk dairy, eggs and fish establishments

Establishments that are registered for exporting dairy, eggs, or fish products, and engage in any of the following low-risk operations, are included in the low-risk audit program:

• Dairy, eggs and fish storage facilities (single or multi commodity),
• Fishing vessels
• Live seafood establishments (excluding those with bivalve mollusc operations).

Establishments that have any operations or commodities other than the above are not currently eligible for this program.

Audit approach

Eligible establishments will participate in an annual online audit to meet export requirements and maintain export registration. Establishment contacts will receive an annual request to upload information for our auditors to assess via an online portal (ComplyAI).

Establishments are required to provide:

• Questionnaire responses relating to establishment’s business and operations
• Photo, video and document upload of key operational areas of the establishment. Artificial Intelligence will be used to assess compliance levels with additional assessments undertaken by department auditors before a conclusion is reached
• A declaration by someone in management and control of the establishment to confirm conformity with export requirements and the establishment’s approved arrangement
• Other approved arrangement documents or records as requested.

At the time of audit, a request is sent to the nominated company contact via the ComplyAI portal. For newly registered establishments, the first audit request will be issued 6-12 months after they are unconditionally approved for export registration, and annually from that point onward.

Companies (establishment or fishing vessel) who are subject to seasonal fluctuations which effect the annual timing of production need to contact dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au to discuss.

Portal user guide

Users can access a step-by-step guide to using the ComplyAI portal:

Program verification

Each year we will select a number of establishments (up to 10%) on the low-risk audit program to participate in various verification activities. The aim of this is to verify that submitted information is accurate and reflective of the establishment’s operations. The verification activities provide us with an added level of assurance of the compliance of the sector.

Fees and charges

Every establishment under the new low-risk approach will be charged for the time taken for the audit. Audit fees are charged at the rate set in the relevant Cost Recovery Implementation Statement for your establishment type.

Fact sheets

Access the relevant fact sheet for your establishment to better understand the requirements.