Department-authorised Xylella testing laboratories

About the program

From 20 January 2027, regulated hosts of Xylella spp. imported as tissue cultures from high risk countries or regions must be tested by an overseas laboratory that is authorised by Australia. Authorised laboratories must meet Australia’s Xylella diagnostic testing requirements.

Laboratories must register to become authorised under the department’s Laboratory Authorisation Program for Xylella testing. The program sets out the requirements that laboratories must meet to conduct Xylella testing. These include:

• the use of approved testing protocols and sample sizes
• interpretation and reporting of test results
• laboratory quality management principles.

Department-authorised laboratories must remain compliant with program requirements and may be subject to periodic review. Consistent with the registration policy, authorisation status remains valid unless suspended, revoked or voluntarily withdrawn.

How to apply

Effective immediately, overseas laboratories can apply to become a department-authorised Xylella testing laboratory.

Laboratories seeking to become authorised must:

• obtain formal endorsement from their National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) to confirm that they can perform testing in line with Australian requirements
• complete a registration form
• email the registration form with supporting information, to us at imports@aff.gov.au, with the subject line ‘Plant T2 –Xylella laboratory authorisation’
• await written confirmation of authorisation.

List of department-authorised Xylella testing laboratories

We will publish a list of authorised laboratories in December 2026, before revised Xylella import conditions commence on 20 January 2027.

Laboratory authorisation must be current at the time of testing.

Contact us

For any additional enquiries, email imports@aff.gov.au with ‘Plant T2 – Xylella testing’ in the subject title.