Australia announces the launch of AusTreat

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (DAFF) issued a notice announcing the launch of AusTreat - a new pre-border biosecurity treatment provider assurance scheme.

The notice was published on 1 July 2024.

AusTreat, launched on July 1, 2024, is a new initiative aimed at ensuring imported goods undergo proper biosecurity treatments before entering Australia. It targets industry players like freight forwarders, importers, and customs brokers who deal with goods susceptible to pests like the brown marmorated stink bug during specific times of the year.

Replacing the current Offshore BMSB Treatment Provider Scheme, AusTreat is designed to bolster confidence in the effectiveness of treatments conducted abroad. This shift is expected to streamline border clearance processes, making them quicker and more cost-effective for businesses and consumers. It also allows the Department of Agriculture to allocate resources more efficiently, focusing on higher-risk areas.

Key requirements under AusTreat include the mandatory recording of treatment details in a central system and a comprehensive registration process every three years. Annual updates are also necessary to ensure compliance with standards, such as equipment calibration and chemical handling protocols like sulfuryl fluoride.

Flexibility is a cornerstone of AusTreat, enabling swift responses to emerging biosecurity threats without requiring providers to undergo a new registration process. Importantly, AusTreat operates independently of the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme (AFAS), ensuring existing accreditation systems remain unaffected.