18 September 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise Horticulture Export Accredited Properties that we will be commencing Commonwealth liabilities (debt) checks on all Accredited Property applications from October 2023.
Summary of changes and key points
- Debt checks will be run on all Accredited Property applications as part of the application assessment process.
- Commonwealth liabilities in this context refers to debt owed by a business to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry that has been outstanding for 30 days or longer. We will use a business’ ABN from the Accredited Property application to identify any relevant debts owed.
- If an outstanding debt to the Commonwealth is identified at application stage the business will receive notification to pay the debt or enter a repayment plan within 10-business days. If either of these occur, the application may be approved, pending the remaining accreditation processes.
- If a business does not pay the debt or enter a repayment plan within the 10-business day period, the Accredited Property application will be rejected.
- The Guideline: Management of horticulture export accredited properties has been be updated to reflect the change in policy.
Background
An Internal Assurance Review – Plants and Plant Products Rules 2021 was conducted as part of the new legislation (Export Control Act 2020) implementation. The review identified several recommendations relating to Accredited Properties.
Under section 79 of the Export Control Act 2020, the Secretary may refuse an application for accreditation if Commonwealth liabilities of the manager of the property remain outstanding.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email Horticulture Export Program.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch