7 November 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Importers, brokers, customs agents and freight forwarders
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has completed a review of the biosecurity risks to Australia and will increase the permit validity for live laboratory animals.
From From 7th November 2025, the department will begin to grant import permits for live laboratory animals with a four-year validity period. This increase in permit validity will apply for the following live laboratory animals only:
- Amphibians and their eggs
- Ferrets
- Fish
- Freshwater snails, including those infected with schistosome parasites
- Guinea pigs
- Hamsters
- Invertebrates
- Rats and mice and their reproductive material.
These changes have been implemented to reduce the administrative burden for both importers and the department while appropriately managing biosecurity risk.
Further information
If you require further information, please call the Biosecurity Import Support Team (BIST) on 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1) or email imports@aff.gov.au.