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. Information about current fees and charges are available on the department’s website.
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 online methyl bromide fumigation training package.
- demonstrating an understanding of, and ability to comply with, the department’s requirements.
Methyl bromide fumigation training package
The methyl bromide fumigation training package is a self-paced e-learning course. The course consists of nine-modules and an assessment. The training package covers the methyl bromide fumigation methodology (version 3.0).
The training package is available online via a web-based platform. To register and access the course, please contact offshoretreatments@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email with ‘methyl bromide onshore fumigation training access’).
The biosecurity industry participant must present the course completion certificate when requested by the department.
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
To become an accredited person under approved arrangement class 19, the applicant must comply with the below prerequisites:
- complete the unit of competency TLIX0008 - Comply with biosecurity border clearance. This unit of competency is offered by registered training organisations (RTOs).
- undertake mandatory training in Learnhub, as specified by the department during the registration process.
- be a licensed customs broker or work for a self-reporting importer.
For full details please refer to the Training and accreditation for approved arrangement class 19 policy below.
Download
- Training and accreditation for approved arrangement classes 19.1 and 19.2 (PDF 394 KB)
- Training and accreditation for approved arrangement classes 19.1 and 19.2 (DOCX 1.1 MB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Registration to become an accredited person under class 19
If prerequisites have been met, an individual may register for accreditation to operate under approved arrangement class 19.1 and class 19.2. This involves providing us with:
- a completed registration form
- evidence of completion of the unit of competency TLIX0008
- evidence of CBC certificates of completion (if applicable, as detailed under the heading CBC)
- evidence the individual holds a customs broker licence or works for a self-reporting importer.
Accreditation requests should be sent to class19@aff.gov.au.
For full registration details refer to the Registration to become an accredited person under class 19.1 and class 19.2 approved arrangements form below.
Download
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC)
To maintain accreditation for approved arrangements class 19, accredited persons are required to complete CBC activities.
CBC activities are mandatory, starting from the date of completion of the unit of competency TLIX0008. This means when registering for class 19 accreditation you may be required to complete additional learning activities as specified by the department, to ensure current knowledge and skills required to manage biosecurity risks.
Failing to comply with CBC requirements will result in class 19 accreditation being suspended or cancelled. Additionally, it may result in sanctions against the biosecurity industry participant. If an accredited person is suspended or cancelled, the department will determine the requirements that must be met before the person can be reinstated under class 19. This may include undertaking CBC activities, completing the unit of competency TLIX0008 again, or other appropriate training.
For full CBC details including a schedule of upcoming CBC activities, refer to our Continued biosecurity competency webpage.