Low-risk audit trials

The department has made several significant changes to the way that we regulate and audit eligible low-risk dairy, egg, and fish export establishments. The department believes these changes will strengthen our already robust system, reduce regulatory burden, and streamline our intervention by focusing on key legislative and market access risks. This means less red tape for industry with the same level of assurance for our trading partners that Australian dairy, egg, and fish products are ready for export.

What has changed?

During the 2024-25 financial year, the department is trialling a data driven and risk-based regulatory model for low-risk dairy, egg and seafood establishments, with full implementation of the new audit approach anticipated from 2025-26. All low-risk establishments are currently partaking in the trial, including:

• Dairy, eggs and seafood storage establishments
• Fishing vessels
• Live seafood establishments (excluding establishments who export bivalve molluscs).

Establishments with operations that include commodities other than dairy, eggs and seafood, such as plant or meat products, are not included in the trial.

Historically, low risk establishments were audited annually against a defined scope of audit elements under their approved arrangement (AA). This approach, whilst effective, had not evolved over a 20-year period and is reviewed year after year without considering good performance or other information that could be used to demonstrate compliance and how risks are managed.

The new audit approach requires establishments to provide information and documentation to the department, and some establishments are participating in sector level verification activities. The following data will be required under the new approach, submitted through a new online portal:

• Establishment questionnaire requesting business details and operational information
• Declaration of conformity to the legislation and AA requirements
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) verification to assist with compliance determination through the upload of photos and videos
• Other AA documents or records as requested
• Sector level verification/assurance to provide additional assurance to the department that low-risk sectors are compliant.

While we are calling this a trial, it is in effect a regulatory audit that low-risk establishments are required to participate in on an annual basis to assess compliance with their AA and obligations as an export registered establishment.

Through these changes for low-risk establishments, the department is strengthening our already robust system, reducing regulatory burden for industry, streamlining our intervention, and focussing on key legislative and market access risks.

What are the next steps?

The portal has been finalised, low-risk establishments have been provided access, and scheduled information requests are being sent on a monthly basis. When information requests are sent to you by the department, a due date to submit your information requirements will be included. If you have any issues with access to the portal or any questions about what is required of you, please contact the department at exportreform@aff.gov.au

Fact Sheets

Access the relevant factsheet for your establishment to better understand the trial and it’s requirements.

Portal user guide

Users can access a step-by-step guide to using the ComplyAI portal:

Contact details

If you have any questions please contact dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au