Biosecurity Update 



As communicated in our previous Biosecurity Advocacy Update, IFCBAA continues to work with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) and other industry stakeholders to identify and prioritise short and long term co-design solutions to reform the 'end to end' biosecurity system.

At the recent Busting Import Congestion - Co-Design Working Group meeting hosted by the department, IFCBAA raised again the key areas of interest to members that need priority and actions to speed up the process of clearing cargo under biosecurity control.

Due to recent ongoing department systems outages, public holiday and increased import volumes the Assessment Services Group (ASG) has been challenged to meet client service standards.

IFCBAA has been informed the biosecurity officers are working overtime every day and every weekend for several months now. Officers are highly dedicated to their work and doing everything within their power to deal with the high workload volumes in a timely and effective manner. ASG thanks industry for the understanding, ongoing patience and cooperation.

At the meeting it was also discussed on how industry can help. Refer below extract from IIAN 13/2021 to remind and encourage members on how they can help. 

 How can clients assist? 
Aligned with the workload increase, the department has seen late document lodgements in COLS increase by 62% from last year. The department would like to advise clients of information that may assist in avoiding delays in document assessment:
  • Please ensure that documents are lodged well in advance of arrival of the goods (noting the recent changes we have made to assist the prioritisation process as outlined above).
  • Ensure that documents and other information is lodged completely and accurately and in line with the departments minimum documentary requirements and import conditions.
  • Do not provide unnecessary documents, as this can result in longer assessment times as we work through sometimes 50+ documents to find the 4 or 5 required by the minimum documents policy.
  • Ensure any specific additional information is included in the ‘additional information’ field in COLS.
  • Please do not repeatedly call or email the department checking on the status of a lodgement for document assessment – this compounds the delays.
  • Regardless of the expected assessment outcome, nominate a valid Approved Arrangement (AA) inspection location, preferably with the AA registration number and name, to avoid additional processing delays.
On behalf of members IFCBAA is committed to continue work with the department on the short and long term co-design solutions to reform the 'end to end' biosecurity system and will keep you informed of any developments. Thanks for your understanding, ongoing patience and cooperation.


Zoran Kostadinoski
Head of Border and Biosecurity
Regional Manager VIC | TAS | SA