Offshore BMSB treatment providers scheme

The Offshore BMSB Treatment Providers Scheme was updated in July 2023. The following table details the key changes:

Treatment providers that were registered under the scheme during the previous BMSB risk season must complete the application emailed to them directly or the application form below to commence their registration process for the upcoming BMSB risk season.

All goods subject to BMSB measures must be treated by a treatment provider listed as ‘approved’ on the List of treatment providers. Treatment providers from target risk countries that wish to become registered to conduct BMSB treatments can do so under the scheme.

Treatment certificates from target risk countries will not be accepted from unregistered treatment providers or treatment providers listed as ‘suspended’, ‘withdrawn’ or ‘under’ review’ on the List of treatment providers. Goods will be subject to onshore treatment (if permitted) or directed for export.

Treatment providers in other countries who intend to conduct BMSB treatments for goods that are manufactured in or shipped from any of the target risk countries are encouraged to register under an offshore treatment assurance scheme.

Treatment providers registered under one of our offshore treatment assurance schemes, who intend on conducting BMSB treatments, are encouraged to lodge their treatment certificates in the certificate lodgement portal. If you require access to the certificate lodgement portal, please contact the Offshore Treatments Team.

Treatment certificates issued by a treatment provider in non-target risk country will be accepted unless the:

• treatment provider is listed as ‘suspended’, 'withdrawn' or ‘under review’ on the List of treatment providers
  or
• unregistered treatment provider is listed as ‘unacceptable’ or ‘under review’ on our webpage.

There are two options for companies seeking to register multiple branches/locations under the scheme:

1. If each branch/location operates independently and manages its own staff, equipment, workload management, treatment records and treatment certification, then each branch/location must submit a separate application. Each branch must also provide documentary evidence that it meets all of the department’s minimum equipment requirements.
2. If all branches/locations use a central office to manage all staff, equipment, workload management, treatment records and treatment certification, only one application should be submitted. The address of the central office will be listed on the department’s webpage.

Treatment companies with multiple company branches/locations must submit separate applications for each branch.

All BMSB treatments must comply with the relevant treatment methodology from the below list:

• Methyl bromide fumigation methodology
• Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation methodology
• Heat treatment methodology

The methodologies are available on the department’s website at Methodologies and documents for biosecurity treatments.

In addition to the treatment methodologies, specific guidance for conducting effective and compliant BMSB treatments is provided in a series of factsheets. The factsheets provide a summary of key compliance requirements regarding:

• Consignment suitability
• Heat treatment
• Methyl bromide fumigation
• Sulfuryl fluoride fumigation.

See Guidance factsheets for conducting BMSB Treatments. They should be read in conjunction with the relevant treatment methodology.

Before the commencement of each BMSB season, information sessions are held to provide details about changes to the offshore BMSB treatment providers scheme and the seasonal measures for BMSB.

Details regarding the information sessions ahead of the 2023-24 BMSB season will be provided shortly.

Copies of the presentations and questions and answers from the recent information sessions are available below.

Note: The information provided in these documents was correct at the time of publishing. If you would like to clarify anything mentioned in these documents, please contact us at BMSB Treatments.