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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Import
  4. Importing goods
  5. Biological products
  6. Checklist for importing biological materials
  7. Importing laboratory materials for use in non-laboratory animals

Sidebar first - Import

  • Checklist for importing biological materials
    • Animal Feed (including pet food, stockfeed, aquaculture feed and bait) checklist
    • Importing laboratory materials for use in non-laboratory animals

Importing laboratory materials for use in non-laboratory animals

There are significant biosecurity risks associated with the use of imported biological goods in non-laboratory animals, such as chickens, sheep and cattle.

Non-laboratory animals, as defined by the department, are all animal species other than guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits, rodents and micro-organisms.

There are two ways that laboratory materials or reagents can be approved by the department for in vivo use in non-laboratory animals:

Option 1 – Apply for an import permit for in vivo end use

This option is preferable when biological goods have not yet been imported into Australia and there is an immediate need for in vivo use in non-laboratory animals.

Apply for an import permit with the department for in vivo end use in non-laboratory animals (see ‘Laboratory materials’ BICON case). The import permit application will be assessed for compliance with policies and guidelines for this higher risk end use.

Option 2 – Apply for an import permit for in vitro (and in vivo in non-laboratory animals) end use with subsequent application for in vivo approval

This two-step option should be considered when there is a need to undertake initial in vitro research that may or may not include research in laboratory animals.

Step 1 Apply for an import permit

Apply for an import permit with the department. The import permit will restrict the imported product to:

  • in vitro/laboratory use only
  • in vivo use in laboratory animals only.

Step 2 Lodge an in vivo approval application

A separate application for in vivo approval must be lodged with and approved by the department. Approval for in vivo use must be obtained before non-laboratory research animals are exposed to imported biological goods (or their derivatives). This also applies if goods are to be used in vaccine or veterinary therapeutic manufacture.

Applications for In Vivo Approval must be lodged using the following form:

Download

Document Pages File size
Application forms for in vivo approvals (for the use of imported biological material in vivo in non-laboratory animals) PDF 2 249 KB
Application forms for in vivo approvals (for the use of imported biological material in vivo in non-laboratory animals) DOC 2 124 KB

If you have difficulty accessing this file, visit web accessibility for assistance.

Completed forms may be emailed to the Imports Services Team.

It should be noted that an In Vivo Approval issued by the department is not an import permit. This means that importers cannot clear goods at the border using an In Vivo Approval. Applicants wanting to import products into Australia for in vivo end use in non-laboratory animals can apply for an import permit:

  • Application to import biological materials

In vivo approvals – further information

Applications to use biological goods in non-laboratory animals must include:

  • the product name and catalogue number
  • the name of the supplier and the number of the import permit used to import the product
  • a list of all ingredients, including, for ingredients of animal origin, (supported with manufacturer’s declarations) the:
     
    • name and country of origin of all species
    • details of any processing or treatments applied prior to importation
    • results of any testing for pathogens
  • details of any post-entry processing or treatments.
  • brief details of the proposed end use of the product (include the species, number of animals, where they will be housed and post-treatment arrangements e.g. euthanasia and disposal of carcasses for trials and experiments in animals).
  • the name, address and approval number of the approved arrangement site where the product will be used.

Approved arrangements

The department uses approved arrangements (AA) to manage the risk associated with importation of many commodities. Conditions on permits can specify that imported biologicals must be contained and/or used only at an AA site. Some institutions (e.g. those regularly using imported biological goods in non-laboratory animals, or those using them to manufacture veterinary medicines have qualified laboratories/manufacturing facilities as AA sites.

  • further information on approved arrangements
  • applying for an approved arrangement

AA site applications and enquiries should be directed to an AA site officer in your local office.

Applications to amend in vivo approvals

Submit an application to amend an in vivo approval to the department if circumstances surrounding the end use change and you can no longer comply with conditions outlined on the in vivo approval.

Download

Document Pages File size
Application to amend an in vivo approval document PDF  2 247 KB
Application to amend an in vivo approval document DOCX  2 137 KB

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

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Page last updated: 19 February 2021

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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