18 May 2026
Who does this notice affect?
This notice affects importers of live plants (nursery stock), customs brokers and departmental staff.
What has changed?
The department continually monitors scientific literature for emerging biosecurity risks. This ensures that risk management measures remain aligned with current information, and conditions remain effective in managing the biosecurity risks posed by imported commodities.
By managing biosecurity risks associated with plant diseases, we can help protect Australia’s agricultural sector, unique environment, and food supply.
Enhanced regulatory measures listed below will apply to live plants (nursery stock) that are accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued on or after 17 June 2026.
Consignments of plants that are certified on a phytosanitary certificate prior to 17 June 2026 will be permitted entry under current conditions.
1. Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)
Current measures for Sudden Oak Death will be extended to the following plant genera:
| Lysimachia | Oxalis | Polystichum |
Measures for Sudden Oak Death include:
- country freedom certified on phytosanitary certificate, or
- disease screening at the government post entry quarantine facility in Mickleham, VIC.
For further information of this change and the applicable import conditions please see:
2. Xylella
Emergency measures for Xylella will extend to the following plant genera:
| Acmena | Diaphoranthema | Platystachys |
| Allardtia | Gaura | Renealmia |
| Anoplophytum | Liriope | Saintpaulia |
| Calylophus | Parahebe | Strepsia |
| Daphne | Phytarrhiza | Uncinia |
| Dendropogon | Pityrophyllum | Viridantha |
Measures for Xylella include:
- country freedom certified on phytosanitary certificate, or
- offshore PCR testing of mother tissue cultures certified on phytosanitary certificate, or
- 12 months disease screening at the government post entry quarantine facility in Mickleham, VIC.
For further information of this change and the applicable import conditions please see:
BICON Alert: Extending Xylella emergency measures to additional nursery stock plant genera
3. Moko disease
To address risks associated with Moko disease (Ralstonia solanacearum phylotype II), enhanced regulatory measures will be implemented for live plants (nursery stock).
Enhanced measures will include:
- country freedom phytosanitary declaration, or
- offshore PCR testing of mother tissue cultures certified on phytosanitary certificate, or
- 12 months disease screening at the government post entry quarantine facility in Mickleham, VIC.
These enhanced measures will apply to the following plant genera:
| Ageratum | Cuphea | Peperomia |
| Anthurium | Cyperus | Pilea |
| Bidens | Epipremnum | Piper |
| Browallia | Euphorbia | Portulaca |
| Canna | Heliotropium | Ruellia |
| Cissus | Impatiens | Salvia |
| Cleome | Ipomoea | Solanum |
| Colocasia | Lobelia | Stachys |
| Commelina | Oxalis | Verbena |
| Croton | Pandanus | Xanthosoma |
For further information of this change and the applicable import conditions please see:
BICON Alert update: Changes to manage the risk posed by Moko disease on nursery stock
4. Alpinia species
To address risks associated with Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) and Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBrMV) the following enhanced regulatory measures will apply to all permitted Alpinia species:
- country freedom certified on phytosanitary certificate, or
- offshore PCR testing of mother tissue cultures certified on phytosanitary certificate, or
- 12 months disease screening at the government post entry quarantine facility in Mickleham, VIC
For further information of this change and the applicable import conditions please see:
5. Tobravirus capsici (Pepper ringspot virus)
To address risks associated with Pepper ringspot virus, enhanced regulatory measures (country freedom certified on phytosanitary certificate) will be required for nursery stock from the following plant genera:
| Bidens | Columnea |
| Gerbera | Pogostemon |
Importation of pepper ringspot virus host genera from South Africa and Brazil (countries where pepper ringspot virus is known to occur) will be suspended pending a review of the biosecurity risk management measures.
For further information of this change and the applicable import conditions please see:
BICON Alert: Upcoming changes to manage the risks posed by Pepper ringspot virus on nursery stock
All other commodity conditions for nursery stock listed in topics 1-5 above will continue to apply.
Impact on import permits and permit applications
The department will contact affected import permit holders to vary existing permits in line with the above changes, at no cost to permit holders.
To reduce impacts to import permit holders, permits affected by multiple policy changes will be amended only once where possible. The department will vary all affected import permits prior to 17 June 2026.
As we transition to the enhanced measures, there may be delays to issuing new import permits for affected plant species.
We understand that changes can be disruptive for importers and will work closely with stakeholders to minimise impacts to trade where possible. Permit applicants are encouraged to provide information to Plant Import Operations (contact details below) on their import plans to assist with this process.
Further information
Contact Plant Import Operations via email at imports@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email ‘Plant T2‘) or by phone on 1800 900 090.