2 June 2016
The Australian Government, through the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, has released finalised legislative instruments under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The package of instruments has been released on the Federal Register of Legislation (formerly ComLaw) website.
The package includes instruments such as the:
- Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2016
- Biosecurity (Biosecurity Activity Zones) Determination 2016
- First Point of Entry Determinations
- Biosecurity (Methods of Ballast Water Management) Approval 2016
- Biosecurity (Acceptable Ballast Water exchange Area) Declaration 2016
- Biosecurity (Reportable Biosecurity Incidents) Determination 2016
Other legislative instruments (declarations, determinations and practice statements made by the Director of Biosecurity) will be made available via the department’s website prior to commencement.
The new legislation was developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders including industry, state and territory governments, health professionals, environmental groups, trading partners and the general public.
Industry stakeholders and clients are reminded that the Biosecurity Act 2015will commence in less than two weeks, on 16 June 2016.
Importers, brokers, port operators and those involved in transport or supply chain logistics are advised to make sure they understand the legislation including changes that may affect their industry after commencement.
In some defined areas, the legislation makes provision for a transition period to allow businesses time to become compliant with new requirements.
For information on transitional arrangements please refer to the department’s website or the Biosecurity (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015.
The department’s website has dedicated information on the new legislationto help you understand what has changed.
Contact: Biosecurity Implementation Branch
Telephone: 1800 040 629
Email: New Biosecurity Legislation