16 June 2026
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders including importers, customs brokers, freight forwarders and biosecurity industry participants (approved arrangement and compliance agreement holders) vessel masters and shipping agents.
Changes to regulatory charging in 2026-27
This advice notice is to remind industry of changes to regulatory charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities.
Indexation
Indexation will apply to most cost recovery charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities in accordance with legislative provision introduced in 2023. Most cost recovery charges will increase by 3.8%.
New rates will commence 1 July 2026.
New price points and legislative amendments
Proposed changes to biosecurity charging legislation include:
- cost recovery charges for companion animals will increase above indexation.
- introduction of new cost recovery charges for imported live garden snails housed at the Post Entry Quarantine facility
- amendments to legislation to improve existing cost recovery arrangements, revising provisions for avian imports and removing redundant provisions for horse husbandry and outside ordinary hours permit assessment fees.
Subject to decision of government these changes will commence 1 July 2026.
Improvements to cost recovery for diagnostics
Improvements to cost recovery for our regulatory diagnostic services are proposed to be introduced through a phased approach across 2026-27:
- Phase 1 (from 1 July 2026): Introduction of new charges for diagnostic activities associated with international vessels.
- Phase 2 (from 1 November 2026): Revised fee structure and fixed fees for most diagnostic activities undertaken for imported cargo.
These changes were originally planned for 2025 as described in 305-2024: Improving cost recovery for diagnostic activities but were delayed due to the complexity of import pathways and the need to enhance billing systems to support transparent and consistent charging.
Final prices for 2026-27
Final prices and changes to charging for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities will be published in the 2026-27 Biosecurity cost recovery implementation statement and pricing tables late June following decision on proposed legislative amendments.
Further information
Further information on new prices and proposed changes is available on our Biosecurity cost recovery implementation statements webpage.
Enquiries can be directed to the BioCRIS@aff.gov.au.