16 January 2026
Who does this notice affect?
Industry stakeholders including importers, approved arrangements, freight forwarders and brokers that deal with imported cut flowers and foliage.
What has changed?
Consignments of fresh cut flowers and foliage found to be infested with live insect pests have the option to be directed for onshore fumigation and release prior to pest identification by an entomologist during select peak periods and holidays in 2026.
During the following peak periods, voluntary fumigation is available as an option on the weekends as listed below from 14:30 on the Friday afternoon preceding. Please note that voluntary fumigation is not available outside of these specified times:
- Valentine’s Day (from 14:30 on Friday, 23 January – 15 February; includes Monday, 26 January which is a national gazetted holiday).
- Mother’s Day (from 14:30 on Friday, 17 April – 10 May).
Voluntary fumigation is also available in 2026 at any time during the following select holiday periods:
- Easter (from 14:30 on Thursday, 02 April - Monday, 06 April).
- Christmas (from 14:30 on Thursday, 24 December 2026 - 03 January 2027).
Exclusions
The following consignments of fresh cut flowers and foliage are excluded from the above arrangements, and must not be directed for fumigation prior to identification by an entomologist:
- Any consignments with snails or slugs.
- Any consignments with disease symptoms.
- Any consignments with suspected high priority pests.
These consignments must wait for identification during the next available business hours.
Other holidays in 2026
Voluntary fumigation will be available for nationally gazetted holidays that fall during the business week and within the period before Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day as specified above. For 2026 this applies to Australia Day, where voluntary fumigation will be available for Monday, 26 January.
Where state holidays arise, remote diagnostics will be available for use through other regional services.
Booking overtime
To assist the department in managing resource demand during these peak periods, the person in charge of the goods can request an overtime booking to secure an assessment of the record of fumigation and final release. Cut-off times to receive overtime bookings apply and there may be times when overtime requests are unable to be serviced.
Overtime charges will apply, as per fees specified in the Charging Guidelines.
Further information
Enquiries regarding the arrangements for clearance of Fresh Cut Flowers and Foliage consignments during defined import periods can be directed to Plant Import Operations.
Please include “T2 – Overtime or OT” in the subject line or call on 1800 900 090.