23 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is of interest to all vessel masters and shipping agents who represent international commercial and non-commercial vessels for the purposes of Australian biosecurity clearance.

What has changed?

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) will commence its annual heightened surveillance regime for managing the risks posed by Burnt Pine Longicorn (BPL) beetles on vessels departing from New Zealand from midnight, 24:00 hours (NZST) on 23 November 2020.

20 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

Biosecurity industry participants and accredited persons operating under the department’s class 19.2 automatic entry processing for commodities (AEPCOMM) approved arrangement.

20 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

Importers and customs brokers associated with importing the following:

20 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

All importers and customs brokers who will be required to lodge imported cargo documentation to the department for biosecurity assessment during this planned outage period.

All clients who will be required to make an online payment during this planned outage period.

All importers of plants, cats and/or dogs who will be required to use the Post Entry Biosecurity System during this planned outage period.

19 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal shipping agents, and any other operators in the sea container supply and logistics chain.

Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) were first detected in Australia in South East Queensland in 2001. Governments have worked collectively to eradicate them ever since.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program (the Program) aims to eradicate this serious pest from Australia by 2032. The Fire Ant Response Plan 2023–27 focuses on strengthening containment and compliance, and intensifying program-led and community treatment.

18 November 2020

Who does this notice affect?

All importers and customs brokers who will be required to lodge imported cargo documentation to the department for biosecurity assessment.

Information

An unplanned service disruption was preventing some clients from accessing the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS). This has now been resolved.

Action

No action required. The department apologises for any inconvenience caused.