To manage the high biosecurity risk posed by ineffective fumigation treatments performed offshore, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment administers the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS).
AFAS is a:
- management system run by overseas government agencies participating in AFAS to ensure continued compliance of fumigators with the treatment requirements
- training and accreditation system for fumigators and regulatory officers
- registration system for fumigation companies.
Treatment providers
Where import conditions allow, we accept methyl bromide fumigation treatments from offshore treatment providers.
Fumigation companies are eligible to be AFAS registered if they:
- competently demonstrate they have the necessary equipment to perform effective fumigation treatments
- have at least one AFAS-accredited fumigator present at all fumigations on cargo destined for Australia.
Requirements for treatments
Treatment providers in Australia and other countries must comply with our requirements for performing methyl bromide treatment under AFAS to effectively treat consignments for import into Australia.
Treatment requirements can be found in our Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology.
Read the frequently asked questions relating to treatment requirements under AFAS.
Benefits of the scheme
Australia readily accepts fumigation certificates issued under AFAS.
AFAS aims to:
- provide capacity-building assistance to overseas regulatory officers, in respect to registering, monitoring and auditing fumigation companies
- improve the technical expertise of overseas fumigators and regulatory officers by providing world's best practice methyl bromide fumigation training
- assist fumigators to maintain a high standard of fumigation performance and compliance with departmental requirements.
Further information
If you have any questions about the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme, email the AFAS team.