6 November, 2025
This Animal Biosecurity Advice notifies stakeholders of the department’s approval of Malaysia to process Australian-origin prawns that have been exported to Malaysia, processed, then exported back to Australia.
The department has undertaken a comprehensive evaluation of Malaysia’s protocols for managing a secure supply chain and the biosecurity integrity programs that could be implemented for processing Australian prawns in Malaysia and exported back to Australia.
Prawn and prawn products for human consumption are only permitted entry to Australia under specific import conditions that manage biosecurity risks.
The department’s assessment concluded that Malaysia has the appropriate systems to oversee the secure import, processing and export of prawns sourced from Australia to ensure Australia’s biosecurity requirements are met.
The department in collaboration with the Malaysian Competent Authority are moving through the administrative steps necessary to establish the pathway in the department’s import systems.
When this process is complete, permit applications for the importation of Australian prawns exported to Malaysia for processing, and then exported back to Australia, may be submitted through the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) database for assessment.
How to contact the department
For any questions, please email aquaticbiosecurity@aff.gov.au.
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Dr Rochelle Prattley
A/g Assistant Secretary, Animal Biosecurity Branch
Email: animalbiosecurity@aff.gov.au.