Improving access to imported food safety requirements
From mid-2025 imported food safety requirements will be incorporated into the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
See more about the Inclusion of food safety requirements in BICON.
We monitor and test food imported into Australia under our Imported Food Inspection Scheme. We check that all imports of food intended for sale comply with Australian food standards and requirements for safety.
The tests we apply depend on the food type and whether the food is a risk or surveillance food.
If food referred for an inspection doesn’t need to be tested, we will still perform a visual and label assessment.
Most food imports from New Zealand aren’t referred for inspection or testing because we:
- recognise that our food regulatory systems are similar
- have joint food standards.
Any food able to be sold in New Zealand can also be sold in Australia.
Check what requirements may apply to these food imports.
Find out about our project to incorporate these food safety requirements into BICON.
All fruit and vegetables, including:
- fresh, chilled, frozen or dried fruit
- legumes - fresh or chilled, frozen or dried
- vegetables - fresh or chilled, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling, frozen
Beef and beef products (including food that contains beef or beef products as an ingredient)
Cooked meat – manufactured or processed that is ready-to-eat
Meat and edible offal – fresh, chilled or frozen
Uncooked meat – manufactured or processed that is ready-to-eat