5 December 2018
Who does this notice affect?
All internal and external stakeholders who may require Department of Agriculture and Water Resources regulatory services between Christmas and New Year.
What has changed?
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ Canberra Office will close at the close of business on Monday, 24 December 2018 and will re-open at the commencement of business on Wednesday, 2 January 2019.
If you are seeking an appointment during the Christmas period it must be booked and confirmed prior to the close of business on 21 December 2018.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ general inquiry line (1800 900 090) will not be operating over the Christmas period from the close of business on Monday, 24 December 2018 through until Wednesday, 26 December 2018. The inquiry line will operate from Thursday, 27 December 2018 through until Monday, 31 December 2018. Over this period, the department will be offering limited regulatory services that will include inspections and documentation assessments.
All online regulatory services and lodgment systems will be available for use over the Christmas period. However, processing will only occur by departmental staff during hours of operation specified above. All departmental services will recommence at the commencement of business on Wednesday, 2 January 2019.
Additionally, the Canberra switchboard will be closed over the period from the close of business Monday, 24 December 2018 through until the commencement of business on Wednesday, 2 January 2019. Switchboards for locations outside of Canberra will be operating on reduced hours during this period.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ Christmas and New Year hours of operation in all regional offices and major ports, including the delivery of regulatory services, are as follows:
| Date | Office Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 24/12/18 | Open | Normal regulatory services available. |
| Tuesday 25/12/18 Wednesday 26/12/18 | Closed | Limited regulatory services available. Appointments for these days must be booked and confirmed prior to the close of business on 21 December 2018. Public Holiday/Weekend – Regulatory services provided on these days will be subject to overtime charges. |
| Thursday 27/12/18 Friday 28/12/18 Monday 31/12/18 | Open | Limited regulatory services available. Appointments for these days must be booked and confirmed prior to the close of business on 21 December 2018. |
| Saturday 29/12/18 Sunday 30/12/18 Tuesday 01/01/19 | Closed | Limited regulatory services available. Appointments for these days must be booked and confirmed prior to the close of business on 27 December 2018. Public Holiday/Weekend – Regulatory services provided on these days will be subject to overtime charges. |
| Wednesday 02/1/19 | Open | Normal regulatory services available. |
Further information
Unless otherwise specified, contact details for the department and regional offices can be found at Contact us.
Overtime fees (when applicable) will be charged in accordance with the departments Fees and Charges policy, which can be found on the department’s website.
Please call the department’s general inquiry line 1800 900 090 if further information is required.
If you identify something of concern that may have entered Australia with imported goods report it to See. Secure. Report. on 1800 798 636 or complete the online form.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ staff would like to take this opportunity wish all our stakeholders the very best for the coming Christmas and New Year period.
We thank you for your cooperation throughout this year and look forward to continuing to work together to protect Australia's biosecurity in 2019.