28 July 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries interested in applying to participate in the department’s Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme — including, Biosecurity Industry Participants, Suppliers, Customs Brokers—associated with importing goods that require increased intervention during the 2025-26 BMSB risk season.
What has changed?
Applications for the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme will open on 28 JULY 2025
Updates to the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme (the scheme)
The department has introduced mandatory changes for the 2025–26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season. The changes aim to decrease application assessment timeframes by capturing additional information as well as supporting the identification of consignments containing both safeguarded and non-safeguarded goods, ensuring all BMSB risks are assessed at the highest level.
Updates include:
- A revised application form. The revised form requires more detail to be provided on supply chain processes.
- The use and submission of the new Biosecurity Mitigation & Contingency Plan template is now mandatory. Importers must submit with their application, a completed plan accurately describing the biosecurity processes in place for each Supplier ID and supply chain pathway - from manufacturing and packaging to transport, storage, and unpacking in Australia.
- Importers must choose the appropriate template based on the complexity of the supply chain:
- Use the Single Site template for supply chains operating entirely from one location.
- Use the Multiple Site template for supply chains involving multiple premises or third-party facilities.
- Importers must choose the appropriate template based on the complexity of the supply chain:
- While use of similar templates was optional in previous application periods, it is now a required component to ensure consistency, completeness, and compliance with biosecurity expectations.
- Approved applicants must submit an Importer’s Declaration with their import documentation. Importers must provide confirmation that the imported safeguarded goods have been manufactured, stored, and unpacked only at approved safeguarded locations. This replaces the previous supplier declaration process.
- All consignments will be subject to a document assessment prior to being released and, if randomly selected directed for verification inspection. Import documentation will be required to be lodged via the Cargo Online Lodgement system (COLS) for assessment.
Further information
Important Reminders for Applicants
- Goods imported under the scheme are not eligible for clearance via AEPCOMM under class 19.2AA by authorised persons. Consignments requiring additional onshore intervention such as BMSB treatment of non-safeguarded goods can be nominated for onshore treatment when lodged in COLS.
- Applicants must provide complete and accurate documentation from their suppliers and any third-party service providers at the time of application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted
- Indoor storage is the department's required standard of storage and a crucial requirement for eligibility under the scheme. Note: Supply chains with an outdoor storage component, may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but only where applicants can clearly demonstrate that outdoor exposure is minimal (less than 120 hours) and that extensive, well documented and actively monitored biosecurity risk management procedures are in place. These procedures must effectively mitigate the risk of BMSB contamination during any period of outdoor exposure. Applications that do not meet these high standards will not be considered.
- Approved applicants will be subject to random verification inspections on arrival. These inspections confirm that safeguarding arrangements are being followed. For entries with multiple containers, containers not selected for inspection will be permitted to be delivered and deconsolidated.
- Application approval dates will not be backdated. Goods shipped prior to the application approval date will not be eligible for clearance under the scheme and will be subject to standard BMSB seasonal measures.
Full details regarding the Safeguarding Arrangement Scheme and the updates, can be found on the BMSB webpage agriculture.gov.au/safeguarding or for policy information email Safeguarding@aff.gov.au.
Further information regarding BMSB seasonal measures, can be found on the BMSB webpage agriculture.gov.au/bmsb or for policy information email HPP@aff.gov.au.
If you see something that could have entered Australia with imported goods report it to See. Secure. Report. on 1800 798 636 or complete the online form.