Approved arrangements glossary

Guide to using the glossary

This glossary contains common terms, acronyms and definitions that relate to approved arrangements. It is subject to review on a regular basis.

Definitions that are not contained within this glossary can be found in the Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Act) or in the most recent edition of the Macquarie Dictionary. Where a definition in this glossary conflicts with a definition stated in the Act, the definition used in the Act takes precedence.

Glossary

Term or acronym	Definition
Accredited person	A person (typically an employee of a biosecurity industry participant) who has successfully completed: accreditation training for the relevant approved arrangement class as specified on the department’s website.
Advisory finding	A notification, issued at pre-approval audits, advising the biosecurity industry participant that they have not complied with an approved arrangement requirement.
Agricultural Import Management System (AIMS)	IT system used to: manage biosecurity and food safety risks associated with imported cargo track and record imported consignments assign fees and collect revenue on imported cargo.
Aircraft	Any machine or craft that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface. Note: A reference to an aircraft does not include a reference to an aircraft brought or imported into Australian territory from outside Australian territory on board another conveyance until the aircraft is released from biosecurity control (see subsection 16(3)).
Airlock	A separate, fully enclosable space with two doors designed to limit pressure fluctuations during entry and exit. A shower airlock is an airlock that incorporates full body shower capability, which can be used as part of entry and exit procedures.
All weather road	A sealed or unsealed road which enables vehicle access into an approved arrangement site at any time regardless of weather conditions.
Alteration	Any changes made to a document after the original and/or first signature has been obtained.
Animal	Any living organism characterised by the capacity for voluntary motion, sensation, and the ingestion of food such as plants and other animals, and which has a non-cellulose cell wall. Animal includes a dead animal and any part of an animal but does not include a human or a part of a human, whether the human is dead or alive.
Animal health record	File or record of examinations, procedures and laboratory tests performed whilst an animal is under quarantine.
Announced audit	An audit where the biosecurity industry participant is given advance notice of the audit date and time.
Anteroom	A separate, fully enclosable space used during access and egress that has specific containment functions.
Applicant	A legal entity (usually a business) that has applied to enter into an approved arrangement.
Approved arrangement	Refer to the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Approved arrangement class	The grouping of approved arrangements based on the type of activities taking place in the arrangement and the associated biosecurity risks.
Approved arrangement contact person	Person at an approved arrangement site that the department can contact to discuss issues or day to day needs when the approved arrangement manager is unavailable.
Approved arrangement manager	Person who will be responsible for the approved arrangement.
Approved arrangement number	Single site approved arrangement = approved arrangement site ID (previously QPR number). Multi-site approved arrangements = ABN + serial number.
Approved arrangement conditions	Documents that detail the legally binding outcomes and conditions to be achieved by the biosecurity industry participant under the terms of the approved arrangement.
Approved arrangement site	A site where a biosecurity industry participant undertakes biosecurity activities covered by an approved arrangement. For biosecurity industry participants that undertake mobile biosecurity activities, the biosecurity industry participants approved arrangement site is the location from which the mobile activities are based.
Approved arrangement site boundary	The perimeter of a single (unbroken) approved arrangement site area within which the biosecurity industry participant for that site manages and controls the: activities that occur at the site, and the access to the site. Note: Typically, the site boundary will coincide with a physical security structure such as a security fence, the perimeter (i.e. walls and lockable doors) of a building, the perimeter (i.e. walls and lockable doors) of a room.
Approved arrangement site ID	The reference number assigned to each approved arrangement site, generated from the Quarantine Premises Register (QPR).
Approved disinfectant	An antimicrobial chemical approved by the department for specific biosecurity operations.
Approved person – specific to biosecurity waste approved arrangements	Appropriately trained person employed by the biosecurity industry participant to undertake biosecurity activities in accordance with the conditions of the approved arrangement.
AQIS premises ID	Code used by the automatic entry processing (AEP) scheme to identify the location where an activity is to occur. These codes are added by accredited persons to the AQIS premises ID field in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) when using the AEP scheme. May also be referred to as a location code.
AQIS processing types	Codes used by the automatic entry processing (AEP) scheme to identify to the department what documents an accredited person has accepted and what activities should be performed. The AQIS processing types determine what directions will be added to the import declaration by the AEP Scheme.
Associates	Refer to the fit and proper test for approved arrangement applicants on the department's website.
Audit rate	The number of audits performed within a specified number of days.
Audit team	A team assigned to an audit. An audit team consists of a lead auditor with the assistance of auditors, trainees, observers and/or subject matter experts.
Auditor	A departmental officer who is approved to conduct audits on behalf of the department.
BICON	Refer to the Biosecurity Import Conditions system.
Biosecurity direction	A direction given under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Biosecurity activities	A person may apply to the relevant Director for approval of a proposed arrangement that provides for the person to carry out specified activities (biosecurity activities) to manage biosecurity risks associated with specified goods, premises or other things. Note 1: proposed arrangement may provide for a person to carry out biosecurity activities at a particular place. Note 2: Section 434 sets out requirements for applications.
Biosecurity area	The designated area within an approved arrangement site where goods that are subject to biosecurity control are stored, handled and/or treated. This also includes the collection and temporary storage of biosecurity waste and dunnage.
Biosecurity containment level 1 (BC1)	The whole space approved by the department in accordance with approved arrangement class 5.1 conditions. A biosecurity containment level 1 AA site excludes lifts, stairs and corridors but may include lockable biosecurity storage areas outside or separate to the biosecurity area where biosecurity activities are undertaken.
Biosecurity containment level 2 (BC 2)	The whole space approved by the department in accordance with approved arrangement class 5.2 conditions. A biosecurity containment level 2 AA site excludes lifts, stairs and corridors, but may include lockable biosecurity storage areas outside or separate to the biosecurity area where biosecurity activities are undertaken. The AA site must be physically separate from offices used by containment AA site personnel.
Biosecurity containment level 3 (BC 3)	The whole space approved by the department in accordance with approved arrangement class 5.3 conditions. A biosecurity containment level 3 AA site may incorporate access and supporting rooms and interconnecting corridors or common space areas after entering through an airlock. It may comprise several like rooms such as three interconnecting microbiological laboratories but does not include combinations of different types of facilities such as animal, plant or insectary facilities within a physical containment barrier. These facilities must be physically separate from offices used by containment AA site personnel. Body showers, toilet cubicles and drinking water appliances may be included.
Biosecurity containment level 4 (BC 4)	The whole space approved by the department in accordance with approved arrangement class 5.4 criteria. A biosecurity containment level 4 AA site may incorporate access and supporting rooms and interconnecting corridors or common space areas after entering through an airlock. It may comprise several like rooms such as three interconnecting microbiological laboratories but does not include combinations of different types of facilities such as animal, plant or insectary facilities within a physical containment barrier. These facilities must be physically separate from offices used by containment AA site personnel and must include a body shower and inner and outer change room. Toilet cubicles and drinking water appliances may be included. The AA site must be housed in a separate building or must form an isolated part of a building.
Biosecurity import conditions system (BICON)	IT system that holds the department’s conditions for the import of goods, including permit conditions and treatments.
Biosecurity industry participant	A person who is the holder of the approval of an approved arrangement (including a person to whom an approved arrangement has been transferred in the circumstances prescribed by regulations made for the purposes of section 411) is a biosecurity industry participant; and is covered by the approved arrangement.
Biosecurity officer	Refer to the Biosecurity Act 2015, section 545.
Biosecurity risk	Refer to the Biosecurity Act 2015, section 9.
Biosecurity risk material	Goods which have the potential to introduce into Australia an exotic pest or disease. This includes goods and packaging that are, or are contaminated by, material of biosecurity risk. Examples of biosecurity risks include, but not limited to: live insects, animals and plants dead insects, animals and plants insect and animal products (borer holes, frass, faeces etc.) plant products, e.g. seeds, bamboo, timber and bark* food refuse soil, dirt, clay, sand other detritus mould water, including watermarks. * information about bark tolerance on timber packaging and dunnage can be found on the department’s website.
Biosecurity waste	Waste subject to biosecurity control. Note: Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 is a type of goods.
Biosecurity waste container	A bin, receptable, container (e.g., lidded plastic tub) which biosecurity waste is placed and secured in.
Biosecurity wastewater	Liquid portion of the residue associated with any biosecurity operation.
Bond register	List of consignee details produced by a high-volume specialist operator.
Break bulk cargo	Non-containerised cargo that must be loaded individually or cannot fit into a container. Typical break bulk cargo includes machinery, vehicles and timber.
Broker	Refer to Customs Broker.
Business name	A name or title under which a person or entity conducts business. Business names must be registered in Australia unless business is carried out under person’s own name.
Caucus	A meeting of the audit team to discuss and compile audit findings prior to the exit meeting. Caucus does not include the biosecurity industry participant and is conducted away from the biosecurity industry participant, e.g. meeting room.
Co-located approved arrangement sites	Multiple approved arrangement sites operating within a single physical site and sharing a common Australian Business Number (ABN) and an approved arrangement manager.
Commodity	Referred to as goods in the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Company name	Can be used to trade under without the need to register a business name. Company registration creates a legal entity and allows access to privileges, such as a corporate tax rate or limited liability. A company may decide to register a business name if it wants to trade or carry on a business under a name other than the company name.
Company stamp	Stamp used by an incorporated business entity to make an impression on a document that certifies that document as being correct and assigns the document with an identifier or direct link to that business entity.
Contamination	Biosecurity risks present in or on goods, packaging, storage place, conveyance or container, not constituting an infestation Examples of contamination may include but are not limited to extraneous soil, plant material (e.g., seeds) and residues/debris from packaging material.
Corrective action request (CAR)	A notification to a business industry participant advising that they have not complied with an approved arrangement condition.
Critical noncompliance	Any action, inaction or contravention of the department’s conditions that results in: the release or imminent release of goods that are subject to biosecurity control without prior written direction or approval from the department the movement of goods subject to biosecurity control without prior written direction or approval from the department A deliberate failure to comply with a departmental direction.
Customs Broker	A person who holds a broker's licence granted in accordance with Part 11 of the Customs Act 1901 (the Act). Under the Act an owner of goods may authorise an agent (either an employee of the owner or a Customs Broker) to act on their behalf for the importation of goods into Australia.
Declaration	Notice submitted to the department providing information about human health, about the status of goods, or the intention to import goods. It can also be a document that certifies that specified actions have been taken before goods arrive in Australia.
Deconsolidation	Process of unpacking a container for the purposes of inspection.
Department	The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Veterinary Officer	A veterinarian employed by the department.
Detection	The finding of goods, vectors or receptacles of biosecurity interest.
Direction	See biosecurity direction
Directly supervise	The supervision of the physical handling of biosecurity risk material by an accredited person. This requires the presence of the accredited person in the area where the material is being handled to be able to: visually verify that the items are being handled in accordance with the department's conditions communicate immediately and effectively with the persons being supervised.
Disease	the signs or symptoms of an illness or infection caused by a disease agent; or a collection of signs or symptoms that is clinically defined, for which the causal agent is unknown; or a disease agent that has the potential to cause, either directly or indirectly, an illness or infection.
Disinfect	Destruction of microorganisms using an approved disinfectant applied in an approved manner and at an approved rate.
Dunnage	Materials (generally wooden/bamboo items) used to support or stabilise a consignment during transport which is not attached to or forming part of the consignment. Examples of dunnage may include but are not limited to used tyres, drums, gluts and skids.
FCL/X	Term used to indicate that a requirement covers both full container load and FCX containers.
FCX	Sea cargo container with contents from multiple suppliers but consigned to one entity in Australia. For biosecurity purposes this is the same as full container load.
First point of entry (FPOE)	Refer to the Biosecurity Act 2015, section 18.
Fit and proper persons test	Refer to the fit and proper test for approved arrangement applicants on the department’s website.
Fixed enclosure	Chamber or un-sheeted shipping container used for fumigations.
Flooding	Includes: mainstream flooding - an event where water from a creek, river, lake, estuary or coastal waters overflows the natural or artificial banks of the principal watercourses in a catchment flash flooding - flooding that occurs within six hours of the rain which causes the flooding stormwater flooding - local runoff exceeding the capacity of an urban stormwater drainage system storm surge (rise in coastal water levels caused by the low-pressure area of a storm or cyclone and wind driving water towards the shore).
Full container load (FCL)	Sea cargo container with contents from a single supplier and consigned to one entity in Australia. For biosecurity purposes this is the same as FCX.
Fumigation area	Designated area where goods may be fumigated.
Fumigation certificate	Documentation certifying that a fumigation treatment has been conducted in accordance with departmental requirements.
Gas impervious material	Substance that is gas impermeable, including plastic wrapping or laminated plastic films, lacquers or painted surfaces, aluminium foil, tarred or waxed paper.
Goods	Refer to the Biosecurity Act 2015, section 19.
Goods subject to biosecurity control	Imported goods: Imported goods that the department has identified as being of biosecurity concern are subject to biosecurity control until the department has advised in writing that they are released from biosecurity control. Products of imported goods: Imported goods subject to biosecurity control that have undergone processing by whatever means continue to be subject to biosecurity control unless the department has advised that the processing is sufficient to allow the goods to be released from biosecurity control. By-products and waste products from imported goods: By-products and waste products (liquids or solids) that have been produced by processing of imported goods continue to be subject to biosecurity control unless the department has advised that the processing is sufficient to allow the by-products or waste products to be released from biosecurity control. Goods that have been contacted or contaminated by the above: Any goods that have been in contact with, or are otherwise potentially contaminated by, any goods belonging to the above three categories will become subject to biosecurity control unless the department has advised that any subsequent processing is sufficient to allow the goods to be released from biosecurity control (this includes packaging material, wrapping material, handling and testing equipment etc.).
High volume specialist operator (HVSO)	Household goods and personal effects forwarder which has been granted a depot licence by the Department of Home Affairs.
Household goods and personal effects forwarder (HGF)	Entity involved in facilitating the international movement of household goods and unaccompanied personal effects. Many Household Goods and Personal Effects Forwarders are also high-volume specialist operators.
Household goods and unaccompanied personal effects	Personal (non-commercial) items transported into Australia by a returning resident or a new resident of Australia via sea or air freight. The items must be personal property owned by the person whilst overseas.
Import permit	An official document issued by the department to an importer of goods that authorises the importation of goods in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2015 and specified permit conditions.
Imported pig meat	Uncooked or cooked pig meat derived from pig meat that was originally imported as uncooked.
Imported pig meat waste	Any imported pig meat product or by-product cooked or uncooked, that is no longer destined for human consumption. Imported pig meat waste also includes materials (including liquids and disposable items) that have come into contact with, or which have been otherwise contaminated by cooked or uncooked imported pig meat. Accordingly, imported pig meat waste includes the following: trimmings dropped product retention samples rejected product floor waste drain catch sludge product returned to processor blood exudate brine that has been in contact with cooked or uncooked imported pig meat thaw water that has been in contact with imported pig meat oil or fat from imported pig meat oil in which imported pig meat has been cooked wash water from cleaning and sanitation operations material filtered from, precipitated from or otherwise separated from brine, thaw water, oil or wash water carton liners cartons visibly contaminated with flesh, fat, blood or exudate strapping and other packaging that is visibly contaminated with flesh, fat, blood or exudate packaging from retention samples, rejected product and returned product disposable items such as gloves, machinery sleeves, liners, aprons, hair nets, and shoe covers that may have been contaminated with cooked or uncooked imported pig meat or pig meat liquid waste NOTE: Cardboard that has not been visibly contaminated by imported pig meat or imported pig meat waste is not considered to be imported pig meat waste and may be recycled.
Incursion	Post border infestation or infection by a viable exotic pest or disease.
Infestation or infection	Presence in or on goods, packaging, storage place, conveyance or container of a living pest of animals and plants or animal and plant products.
Inspection	Physical examination of goods, documentation or vessels.
Inspection area	A biosecurity area designated for use by biosecurity officers for the performance of inspections of goods that are subject to biosecurity control.
Integrated Cargo System (ICS)	IT system managed by the Department of Home Affairs used to electronically report and record imports and exports coming into and leaving Australia. The application allows for the collection of duty and GST and is used to monitor the movement of goods, capture statistics and for intelligence purposes.
Key personnel	Approved arrangement managers and approved arrangement site contacts.
Interception	Detection of goods or vessels of biosecurity concern at the border.
Knock-down spray	Commercial off-the-shelf household aerosol insecticide spray.
Land incorporating minimal development	Any plot which contains a low ratio of developed to undeveloped land. These areas may or may not have improvements, e.g. sewers etc.
Lead auditor	Auditor who is responsible for managing an audit and an audit team to ensure the scope and the objectives of the audit are achieved. The Lead Auditor can also be the sole auditor where no audit team is utilised to conduct the audit.
Legal entity	An individual person or a group of persons, a registered partnership, and Australian registered company or a government body who can be held to be legally accountable for the activities covered by an approved arrangement, including debts incurred.
Less than container load (LCL)	Sea cargo container with contents from multiple suppliers and consigned to multiple entities in Australia.
Livestock	Domestic animals as defined in the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997. For example, cattle, horses, calves, sheep, lamb or goats raised for home use or for profit.
Location code	Refer to AQIS premises ID.
Major noncompliance	A deliberate or inadvertent action or contravention of departmental conditions that results in a situation that may lead to: the release of goods that are subject to biosecurity control without prior written direction or approval from the department the movement of goods subject to biosecurity control without prior written direction or approval from the department cross-contamination between goods subject to biosecurity control and other goods impedes the ability of the department to monitor and manage compliance with departmental conditions.
Major spillage	A spillage of goods subject to biosecurity control outside the confines of an approved arrangement site, which can be accessed by the public and which cannot be readily cleaned up within fifteen minutes.
Metropolitan area	Suburban area around a port. The limits of the metropolitan area for any port are determined by assessment by the department. Areas not classified as metropolitan are referred to as a non-metropolitan area or a rural area.
Minor noncompliance	A deliberate or inadvertent action or contravention of departmental conditions that results in a situation that may compromise the integrity of systems, processes or approved arrangement sites that are designed to manage or contain goods that are subject to biosecurity control.
Nominated veterinarian	A veterinarian who is employed by a nominated veterinary hospital and has a written agreement with a biosecurity industry participant to provide veterinary services to the approved arrangement site when required. The nominated veterinarian must be approved by the department and be registered under the relevant law of a state or territory as a veterinarian, veterinary practitioner or veterinary surgeon.
Nominated veterinary hospital (NVH)	Veterinary hospital nominated by a biosecurity industry participant and approved by the department which has agreed to provide emergency treatment to sick or injured animals under biosecurity control.
Non-commodity	Any article transported to Australia in conjunction with a commodity being imported, such as wooden packing.
Non-rated corrective action request (NR CAR)	A corrective action request without a noncompliance classification. Issued when the department has incorrectly provided a biosecurity industry participant with approval or incorrect advice which results in the biosecurity industry participant being non-compliant with departmental conditions.
Nurseries	A place where plants are propagated and grown to usable size. This includes retail nurseries which sell to the public, wholesale nurseries which sell only to other nurseries and to commercial landscape gardeners and private nurseries which supply the needs of institutions or private estates. This also includes sites on which young trees, shrubs, vines etc. are propagated for the purpose of transplanting or a plantation of young trees or greenhouse operations undertaken for the cultivation and/or exhibition of plants under controlled conditions.
Packing declaration	Document produced by an overseas packer and/or supplier that describes how goods in a container were packed and the type of packing material used in the container.
Permanent structure	A construction on an approved arrangement site that: is easily visible at or above ground level, is secured to or secured in the ground, is not able to be moved without disassembly or destruction, and requires tools for the disassembly or destruction. Note 1: Permanent structures can include (but are not limited to): Buildings, concrete kerbing, concrete hard stand areas, drains (e.g. in concrete hard stand areas), container stands secured (e.g. bolted) to the ground, power poles, light poles, security fence and fence poles, retaining walls. Note 2: Permanent structures are used as reference points from which the location of biosecurity areas can be measured on an approved arrangement site map.
Personal effects (PE)	Non-commercial goods imported by private individuals, often with the assistance of a household goods and personal effects forwarder or similar. Personal effects include household goods and unaccompanied baggage.
Pest	Species, strain or biotype of a plant or animal, or a disease agent, that has the potential to cause, either directly or indirectly, harm to: human, animal or plant health; or the environment.
Physical containment level 1 - 4	Australian standards for the containment of microbiological products. The classification of a microbiological laboratory dictates not only the physical infrastructure but also the work practices and equipment required.
Physical handling	Physical interaction with biosecurity risk material including: processing the material in a way that changes its biosecurity status. This includes performing biosecurity treatments (i.e. treatments prescribed under an approved arrangement, import permit, BICON, direction) processing the material in a way that changes the biological, chemical or physical properties of the material. This includes subdividing, e.g. cutting up, the material changing what is in direct physical contact with the material. This includes bringing the material into direct contact with containers and equipment. It also includes allowing living organisms to come into contact with the material, e.g. persons touching the material, feeding the material to animals, planting the material changing the physical location of the material. This includes moving the material within the approved arrangement site, moving or transporting the material in a waste container within or between sites disposing of material by a departmentally approved method.
Plant	Includes a dead plant and any part of a plant.
Post-arrival quarantine	Refer to post-entry quarantine.
Post-entry quarantine (PEQ)	The quarantine of a consignment after arrival into Australia. For example, live plants or live animals may remain under quarantine for an extended period after entry before release. May also be referred to as post-arrival quarantine.
Pre-approval audit	An audit that is conducted before: approval of a new approved arrangement, or approved arrangement site; or addition of a new approved arrangement class; or approval of a variation to an existing approved arrangement; or revocation of a suspension of approval (part or whole), to ascertain whether suspension can be lifted.
Premises	Includes the following: a structure, building or conveyance; a place (whether or not enclosed or built on), including a place situated underground or under water; a part of a thing referred to in paragraph (a) or (b). Note: Premises does not include a conveyance in certain parts of this Act (see sections 252, 472 and 497).
Primary container	Container that is in direct contact with biosecurity risk material. This could include but is not limited to bin liners, holding tanks, unlined biosecurity bins and ventilated animal enclosures.
Probation audit	An audit conducted after: approval of a new approved arrangement, or approved arrangement site; or addition of a new approved arrangement class; or revocation of suspension of approval; or approval of a variation to an approved arrangement; or a failed audit or detection of a critical noncompliance.
Process management system (PMS)	Refer to standard operating procedures.
Processing	Any type of activity undertaken on a good that changes: a good physically, chemically, biologically or what is known about a good’s physical, chemical or biological state; or a good’s physical location. Includes (but is not limited to): growing, vaccinating, treating, inspecting, testing, analysing, x-raying, transporting, deep burying, heating, freezing, preserving, irradiating, fumigating, machining, milling, crushing, manufacturing, washing, cleaning, sieving, dipping, steaming, boiling, sterilising, disinfecting, disinsecting, spraying, centrifuging and dehydrating.
Prone to flooding	An approved arrangement site is regarded as being prone to flooding or storm surges if the floor of the AA site would be inundated by a 100-year average recurrence interval flood or storm surge event. This equates to a 1 in 100-year flood level, (one flood in 100 years ratio) or an annual exceedance probability of 1%.
Quarantine	The act of isolating something for a defined period (for testing or inspecting for the appearance of disease)
Quarantine Premises Register (QPR)	IT system used to record approved arrangement types, biosecurity industry participant’s details, audit results and what biosecurity directions have been activated for a site.
Receival area	Portion of the approved arrangement site where goods that are subject to biosecurity control are received and unpacked from a container on arrival. May also be referred to as an unpack area.
Receptacle	Non-commodity containers that are used to carry goods. Receptacles may include air cans, bins, transport containers, unit loading devices, parcels, letters, sea containers, pallets and vessels.
Release from biosecurity control	in relation to goods that are subject to biosecurity control—means release from biosecurity control under section 162; and in relation to a conveyance that is subject to biosecurity control—means release from biosecurity control under section 218.
Relevant associates	Refer to the fit and proper test for approved arrangement applicants on the department’s website.
Rural area	Area considered to be high risk and likely to be better suited to the establishment of exotic pests and diseases than a metropolitan area. This is due to several factors, including proximity to host plant and animal material or natural environments that are generally less prevalent in built up urban areas.
Rural tailgate inspection	Type of inspection performed on containers destined to be unpacked in a rural area. The inspection is performed in a metropolitan area and involves the inspection of: external surfaces of the container for biosecurity risk material, and internal areas of the container (through opened doors without entering the container) to assess for presence of biosecurity risk material including unacceptable packaging and to verify for commodity concerns, if applicable. Note: internal inspection is not performed on hard frozen reefers, ISO tankers, containers carrying dangerous goods or diplomatic goods.
Salmonid hatcheries	A place where the eggs of fish belonging to the Salmonidae family (including salmon, trout and whitefish) are hatched.
Scheduled audit	An announced or unannounced audit scheduled at the low audit rate to monitor ongoing compliance of an approved arrangement site.
Seal	Small device that can be fixed to a lock, door, gate or other fixture. The device is usually numbered and must be destroyed to remove it. May refer to either a biosecurity seal or a customs seal.
Seals intact	Consignment that has been permitted to move from one place to another under seal.
Secondary container	Container that provides additional protection for the primary container.
Self-reporting importer	An importer who has satisfied the reporting requirements of the Department of Home Affairs for the importation of goods and lodgement of import declarations, on their own behalf, operating as an accredited person under a broker class approved arrangement. A person who is registered with and has successfully completed specified training approved by the department.
Sheeted enclosure	Any gas-tight enclosure used for fumigations that is not a fixed enclosure.
Significant site areas	An area within an approved arrangement site that: is used for the inspection, storage, growing, treatment, maintaining or handling of goods subject to biosecurity control, and/or encompasses areas that have one or more of the following: roofs walls floors or slabs. Note 1: Significant site areas include (but are not limited to): Biosecurity areas (including fumigation areas, wash bays, container unpack areas, inspection areas, and storage areas), sheds, buildings or concrete pads (regardless of whether used for biosecurity purposes). Note 2: At some approved arrangement sites, the approved arrangement site boundary may coincide with the boundary of a permanent structure. Note 3: The location and function of significant site areas are required to be shown on approved arrangement site maps.
Standard operating manual (SOM)	Refer to standard operating procedures.
Standard operating procedures (SOP)	Written document or instruction detailing relevant steps and activities of a process or procedure. A standard operating procedures document provides employees with a reference to business practices, activities or tasks.
Storm surge	Coastal flooding which occurs when sea water rises above normal tidal height.
Storm water	Urban rainfall and run-off captured by an urban storm water drainage system.
Susceptible host	Plant, human, animal or the environment that can be infected by or act as a vector for an exotic pest or disease.
Tailgate inspection	Inspection performed by biosecurity officers to visually identify and address a range of biosecurity risks associated with containerised cargo. It involves the inspection of external container surfaces and inspection of internal surfaces and goods through opened container doors. If the visual assessment identifies the presence of infestations or contamination, or if the tailgate inspection does not resolve commodity, packing or documentation issues, the container will require further intervention.
Temperature controlled environment	The temperature within a fumigation enclosure that has been controlled, either through a source of heating or placement within a larger climate-controlled environment.
Trading name	A name used by an entity or person to trade under, without it being registered as a business name. Note: Trading names were collected prior to 28 May 2012 by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). They will be displayed on the Australian Business Register (ABR) until 31 October 2018. Trading names are no longer maintained on the ABR’s Australian Business Number (ABN) lookup service. Trading names are still be maintained with the ATO for taxation purposes. However, any updates will not be displayed on the ABR's ABN lookup service.
Treatment area	Area used for the treatment of animals, vessels, plants, persons or other goods to established standards.
Treatment certificate	Certificate that specifies the treatment applied to goods within a specific consignment.
Unacceptable packaging	Packaging material of biosecurity concern. Examples of unacceptable packing include, but are not limited to, the following: bark chaff, hay rice hulls sand/soil bags used: empty bags egg cartons flower cartons used fruit and vegetable cartons used meat cartons tyres. compressed non-timber materials, including agricultural waste.
Unannounced audit	An audit where the biosecurity industry participant is given no notice of the audit date or time.
Unpack area	Refer to receival area.
Vacant land	Any plot which contains no buildings or usable structures. These areas may or may not have improvements, e.g. sewers or power lines.
Vessel	means any kind of vessel used in navigation by water, however propelled or moved, including the following: a barge, lighter or other floating craft; an air‑cushion vehicle, or other similar craft, used wholly or primarily in navigation by water; and includes: an installation; and any floating structure. Note: A reference (except in Chapter 5 (ballast water and sediment) and any related provision) to a vessel does not include a reference to a vessel brought or imported into Australian territory from outside Australian territory on board another conveyance until the vessel is released from biosecurity control (see subsection 16(4)).
Veterinary treatment	The administration or application of drugs, medicines or chemicals to an animal for the prevention or cure of disease.
Wash bay	An area of an approved arrangement site used for the cleaning of goods (e.g., machinery, vehicles, equipment, containers) contaminated with biosecurity risk material. Wash bays must conform to the approved arrangement specific class conditions.

Approved arrangements glossary

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Glossary

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