Training and accreditation for approved arrangements

It is a requirement in most approved arrangements that biosecurity activities are undertaken by an accredited person, except for the following:

• bulbs (class 6.11)
• Police and Defence dogs (class 7.8).

Approved arrangement accreditation training covers classes 1-8, 10, 11 and 12 and must be completed either online or in-house. There are two online options:

Australian Industry Training Group on Biosecurity

• Enrol in the online accredited person training.

For technical and administrative support for the online training system, please contact:

International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Limited
Phone: 1800 633 116
Email: aitgb@ifcbaa.com
Mail: PO Box Q388 Sydney 1230

WiseTech Academy

• Enrol in the online accredited person training

For technical and administrative support for the WiseTech Academy online training system, please contact:

WiseTech Academy
Phone: 02 8001 2332
Email: contact@wisetechacademy.com
Mail: PO Box 6390 Alexandria NSW 2015

In-house training

To be considered an accredited person, in-house training must be successfully completed. Successfully completed will be determined by the biosecurity industry participant who ultimately has responsibility for having staff that are aware of the class requirements when handling goods subject to biosecurity control. The biosecurity industry participant must present records of attendance for accreditation training when requested by the department.

The department will not maintain lists of accredited persons. Biosecurity industry participants must provide either copies of the online training accreditation certificate or attendance at accreditation training records.

The department will not approve the content of in-house training. The effectiveness of the training will be determined during an audit.

Persons who complete in-house training accreditation are only considered accredited while employed by the biosecurity industry participant who delivered the training (it is not transferable).

In-house training must include the following biosecurity topics:

• responsibilities of accredited persons
• management of biosecurity risk (containment, treatment, disposal)
• security and isolation
• hygiene
• inspections (for those classes undertaking inspections of containers)
• dunnage and waste disposal
• record keeping.

Training material is to be based on what accredited persons must do to ensure the biosecurity industry participant is compliant with the requirements of the classes they are approved for.

Reaccreditation - Renewing your accreditation

Reaccreditation is now only required when specified by the department. This means there is no longer a requirement to renew your accreditation every two years.

The department will advise biosecurity industry participants when reaccreditation training must be undertaken. Reaccreditation may be required as a result of:

• changes to requirements
• critical noncompliance
• failed audit.

Where the department has made a change to requirements that result in accredited persons needing to undertake reaccreditation training, biosecurity industry participants will be notified and advised the date the reaccreditation training must be completed by. Biosecurity industry participants will need to provide proof the reaccreditation training has occurred by providing either copies of certificate from online training or proof of training from biosecurity industry participant (attendance record).

Note:

The department will charge in-office fees to re-issue a class 1-8 accreditation certificate. Information about current fees and charges are available on the department’s website.

Fumigators performing treatments under approved arrangement class 12.1 – methyl bromide fumigation and approved arrangement class 12.2 – sulfuryl fluoride fumigation must be accredited with the department.

Fumigators must also hold the appropriate qualifications and/or licenses for the state or territory in which they intend to perform fumigations.

Local regulatory authorities should be contacted to obtain the relevant licensing requirements for your area.

Methyl Bromide

Accreditation is achieved by:

• completing the Approved arrangement accreditation training
• completing the department’s methyl bromide fumigation training course
• demonstrating an understanding of, and ability to comply with, the department’s requirements.

Training providers

There are several commercial training organisations, approved by the department, that are able to provide fumigation training.

For information on any upcoming courses, or to arrange your own training, please contact the department by emailing AFAS.

Information about Approved arrangement accreditation training is included in the approved arrangement accreditation section of this page.

Sulfuryl fluoride

Accreditation is achieved by:

• completing the Approved arrangement accreditation training
• completing and maintaining training under a sulfuryl fluoride stewardship program
• demonstrating an understanding of, and ability to comply with, the department’s requirements.

Training and accreditation for approved arrangements classes 19.1 and 19.2

To operate under the approved arrangements class 19.1 non-commodity for containerised cargo clearance (NCCC) and class 19.2 automatic entry processing for commodities (AEPCOMM) you must comply with the following prerequisites:

• hold a certificate of attainment in the unit of competency TLIX0008 – Comply with biosecurity border clearance. This unit of competency is offered by registered training organisations (RTOs). Please refer to your RTO for specific information regarding their courses.
• maintain continued biosecurity competency (CBC) from completion of the unit of competency TLIX0008.
• be a licensed customs broker or self-reporting importer.

For full details please refer to the Training and accreditation for approved arrangement classes 19.1 and 19.2 policy below.

Registration to become an accredited person under class 19.1 and class 19.2

Once you meet the class 19 training and accreditation requirements, you may register to become an accredited person under class 19.1 and class 19.2 approved arrangements. To register, the following must be provided to the department:

• a completed registration form
• a copy of your statement of attainment for the unit of competency TLIX0008
• evidence of CBC certificates of completion (if applicable)
• evidence that you hold a customs broker licence or evidence that you are a self-reporting importer.

For full registration details refer to the Registration to become an accredited person under class 19.1 and class 19.2 approved arrangements form below.

Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC)

To maintain accreditation for class 19 approved arrangements, accredited persons are required to complete CBC activities.

When applying for class 19 accreditation, mandatory CBC activities must be undertaken from the time the unit of competency TLIX0008 was completed. The department recommends anyone completing the unit of competency TLIX0008 remain up to date with CBC requirements, to ensure accreditation can be provided when requested.

Failing to comply with CBC requirements will result in class 19 accreditation being suspended or cancelled. Additionally, it may result in sanctions against the biosecurity industry participant. If an accredited person is suspended or cancelled, the department will determine the requirements that must be met before the person can be reinstated under the approved arrangement. This may include undertaking CBC activities, completing the unit of competency TLIX0008 again, or other appropriate training.

For full CBC details including a schedule of upcoming CBC activities, refer to our Continued biosecurity competency webpage.