23 February 2018
Purpose
To advise industry and Electronic Data Interface (EDI) users of a potential disruption to IT systems and other Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ (the department’s) system services between 19:00 Friday, 2 March to 20:00 Monday, 5 March 2018 (AEDT).
Summary of changes and key points
- The department is undertaking an upgrade to its network services on Friday, 2 March 2018.
- The likelihood of any disruption to the department’s systems during the upgrade is extremely low.
- In the unlikely event of a system disruption, the department needs to be in a position to effectively respond and ensure any impact to industry is minimised.
- Potentially, the following will be unavailable:
- application, assessment or issuance of permits
- lodgement and assessment of export certification
- land line telephones, email and other systems including the department’s website.
- The department will liaise with overseas posts if contingency arrangements are initiated and will facilitate manual certification where possible.
- If a disruption occurs, initial priority will be given to urgent and time critical services.
Actions required
- Where possible, you should plan ahead in order to send goods prior to or after 19:00 Friday, 2 March – 20:00 Monday, 5 March 2018 (AEDT).
- If you are unable to make alternative arrangements and require a consignment to be exported over the upgrade period, contact the department prior to 13:00 Thursday, 1 March 2018 (AEDT).
Contingency arrangements (in the event of an outage)
- Authorised officers will be available in major regional offices to issue manual certification for shipments that cannot be rescheduled.
- Clients that have made prior contact with the department will be contacted to make an appointment to attend a departmental office to have documentation issued in the event of an outage.
- Manual certification will be provided by the department in limited circumstances. To enable this manual process to be undertaken, clients will be required to present to one of the department’s offices in a metropolitan location with the following documentation:
- Notice of Intention (typed or legible handwriting) or a copy of the Request for Permit
- Import Permit (if applicable)
- A copy of the MiCoR case applicable to the export
- Phytosanitary Certificate (typed or legible handwriting)
- Any other supporting documents that are required in order to meet importing country requirements.
Further information
In the event of a system outage, if you have an urgent enquiry call 1800 900 090.
For enquiries prior to 2 March 2018 contact the National Documentation Hub Plant Exports NDH
Mr David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch