For approval of a proposed approved arrangement with the department, you may need to meet specific training and accreditation requirements.
You will also be required to keep your training current to maintain your approved status.
It is a requirement in most approved arrangements that biosecurity activities are undertaken by an accredited person, except for the following:
- bulbs (class 6.11)
- Police and Defence dogs (class 7.8).
Approved arrangement accreditation training covers classes 1-8, 10, 11 and 12 and must be completed either online or in-house. There are two online options:
Australian Industry Training Group on Biosecurity
For technical and administrative support for the online training system, please contact:
International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Limited
Phone: 1800 633 116
Email: aitgb@ifcbaa.com
Mail: PO Box Q388 Sydney 1230
WiseTech Academy
For technical and administrative support for the WiseTech Academy online training system, please contact:
WiseTech Academy
Phone: 02 8001 2332
Email: contact@wisetechacademy.com
Mail: PO Box 6390 Alexandria NSW 2015
In-house training
To be considered an accredited person, in-house training must be successfully completed. Successfully completed will be determined by the biosecurity industry participant who ultimately has responsibility for having staff that are aware of the class requirements when handling goods subject to biosecurity control. The biosecurity industry participant must present records of attendance for accreditation training when requested by the department.
The department will not maintain lists of accredited persons. Biosecurity industry participants must provide either copies of the online training accreditation certificate or attendance at accreditation training records.
The department will not approve the content of in-house training. The effectiveness of the training will be determined during an audit.
Persons who complete in-house training accreditation are only considered accredited while employed by the biosecurity industry participant who delivered the training (it is not transferable).
In-house training must include the following biosecurity topics:
- responsibilities of accredited persons
- management of biosecurity risk (containment, treatment, disposal)
- security and isolation
- hygiene
- inspections (for those classes undertaking inspections of containers)
- dunnage and waste disposal
- record keeping.
Training material is to be based on what accredited persons must do to ensure the biosecurity industry participant is compliant with the requirements of the classes they are approved for.
Reaccreditation - Renewing your accreditation
Reaccreditation is now only required when specified by the department. This means there is no longer a requirement to renew your accreditation every two years.
The department will advise biosecurity industry participants when reaccreditation training must be undertaken. Reaccreditation may be required as a result of:
- changes to requirements
- critical noncompliance
- failed audit.
Where the department has made a change to requirements that result in accredited persons needing to undertake reaccreditation training, biosecurity industry participants will be notified and advised the date the reaccreditation training must be completed by. Biosecurity industry participants will need to provide proof the reaccreditation training has occurred by providing either copies of certificate from online training or proof of training from biosecurity industry participant (attendance record).
Note:
The department will charge in-office fees to re-issue a class 1-8 accreditation certificate. Please follow the following link to access the department’s charging guidelines.
Fumigators performing treatments under approved arrangement class 12.1 – methyl bromide fumigation and approved arrangement class 12.2 – sulfuryl fluoride fumigation must be accredited with the department.
Fumigators must also hold the appropriate qualifications and/or licenses for the state or territory in which they intend to perform fumigations.
Local regulatory authorities should be contacted to obtain the relevant licensing requirements for your area.
Methyl Bromide
Accreditation is achieved by:
- completing the Approved arrangement accreditation training
- completing the department’s methyl bromide fumigation training course
- demonstrating an understanding of, and ability to comply with, the department’s requirements.
Training providers
There are several commercial training organisations, approved by the department, that are able to provide fumigation training.
For information on any upcoming courses, or to arrange your own training, please contact the department by emailing AFAS.
Information about Approved arrangement accreditation training is included in the approved arrangement accreditation section of this page.
Sulfuryl fluoride
Accreditation is achieved by:
- completing the Approved arrangement accreditation training
- completing and maintaining training under a sulfuryl fluoride stewardship program
- demonstrating an understanding of, and ability to comply with, the department’s requirements.
Training and accreditation for approved arrangements classes 19.1 and 19.2
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
To be able to operate under the class 19.1 Non-commodity for containerised cargo clearance (NCCC) and class 19.2 Automatic entry processing for commodities (AEPCOMM) approved arrangements, you must complete the unit of competency TLIX0008 Comply with biosecurity border clearance. This unit of competency is offered by Registered training organisations (RTOs). Please refer to your RTO for specific information regarding their courses.
To be eligible to become an accredited person for the class 19.1 NCCC and class 19.2 AEPCOMM approved arrangements you must comply with the following prerequisites:
- have obtained a certificate of attainment in the unit of competency TLIX0008 – Comply with biosecurity border clearance
- maintain Continued biosecurity competency (CBC) from completion of the unit of competency
- be a licensed customs broker or self-reporting importer.
If prerequisites are met, you may register with the department requesting accreditation to operate under the class 19.1 NCCC and class 19.2 AEPCOMM approved arrangements by providing the department with:
- a completed registration form
- a copy of your statement of attainment for the unit of competency and any relevant evidence of CBC training
Accreditation requests should be sent to AEP Arrangements team.
The department recommends anyone completing the unit of competency remain up to date with CBC requirements to ensure accreditation can be provided when requested.
CBC sessions contain up to date information and knowledge of biosecurity requirements. Where the unit of competency has been completed prior to mandatory CBC sessions in the current CBC period, evidence of completion of the relevant CBC sessions may be required to obtain accreditation. Where a number of CBC periods have not been completed applicants may be required to complete the current unit of competency Comply with biosecurity border clearance.
For full details relating to training and accreditation for the broker approved arrangements please refer to the Training and accreditation for broker approved arrangements (class 19.1 and class 19.2) policy below.
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Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC)
In order to maintain your accreditation for the class 19.1 NCCC and class 19.2 AEPCOMM approved arrangements, accredited persons must complete the continued biosecurity competency (CBC) sessions stipulated by the department in a given CBC period (1 April to 31 March) by the due date.
Failure to comply with CBC requirements will result in suspension or cancellation of your accreditation. Additionally, it may result in sanctions against the biosecurity industry participant.
CBC completion records will be kept and managed by CBC providers however, it is also your responsibility to keep your own evidence of CBC completion as they may be requested by the department. Enquiries regarding the above information should be sent to AEP Arrangements team.
Please see our CBC activities webpage for webinar recordings conducted by the department.
CBC schedule for the period 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023
| Approved Arrangement | CBC | Reference | Release date | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 19.1 (NCCC) | Mandatory | 22-23/01 | 12 July 2022 | 8 August 2022 |
| Class 19.2 (AEPCOMM) | Mandatory | 22-23/02 | 12 July 2022 | 8 August 2022 |
The live webinar will be held on 12 July 2022 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am AEST. A recording of the session will be made available on the CBC activities webpage. Please contact your industry CBC provider to undertake the assessment. Registration details will be provided closer to the date.