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Certification
You may need a biosecurity certificate to move plants, plant products and related items within Queensland, or out of Queensland to another Australian state or territory.
The plant quarantine authority for the receiving state or territory may require a biosecurity certificate as evidence that certain legal (quarantine) requirements have been met before allowing the plants, plant products, or related items to be moved into their jurisdiction.
For information about quarantine requirements for moving plants, plant products and related items into Queensland, within Queensland, and from Queensland to other states and territories, read restrictions for moving equipment, plant material and soil.
If a biosecurity certificate is required within Queensland, it can be obtained from either a Biosecurity Queensland inspector or an accredited certifier. This guide contains information about obtaining a biosecurity certificate, becoming an accredited certifier and accreditation schemes, procedures and fees.
Note: For international certification requirements, contact the Australian Government's Plant Export Operations Branch, Biosecurity Plant Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Help with making a certification choice
For the purposes of plant biosecurity certification and accreditation services, a biosecurity certificate is used to confirm that the consignment it accompanies meets the stated quarantine requirements. Biosecurity certificates are accepted by Biosecurity Queensland and the quarantine authorities of other Australian states and territories.
A biosecurity certificate may be either:
- a plant health certificate (PHC), issued by Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) inspector
- a plant health assurance certificate (PHAC), issued by an accredited certifier, accredited to operate 1 or more accreditation arrangements within a certification assurance scheme.
Reasons for choosing between the different means of certification will vary from business to business and depend on factors like cost, convenience and if the certification option is available, i.e. if there is an accreditation arrangement for the products needing certification.
It is the responsibility of the person seeking the biosecurity certificate to choose the certification option which best fits their needs.
Factors to consider if obtaining a biosecurity certificate from a BQ inspector
Inspection services are charged at an hourly rate plus travel, as shown in the schedule of fees and charges for plant biosecurity certification and accreditation services.
An inspector may not be readily available when the certificate is required, e.g. on weekends and public holidays.
The option of obtaining a certificate from an inspector is therefore best suited to businesses:
- that require a certificate infrequently
- aren't seeking a certificate outside normal business hours
- where the accredited certifier option is not available for the products being certified.
Factors to consider if obtaining a biosecurity certificate from an accredited certifier
An accredited certifier can issue their own biosecurity certificates in the form of a plant health assurance certificate (PHAC) for their own produce.
The cost of becoming an accredited certifier depends on a number of factors, including the:
- number of accreditation arrangements being sought
- number and duration of audits required.
An accredited certifier may operate a number of accreditation arrangements. An accreditation arrangement is defined as an accredited certifier operating an operational procedure (accreditation system) at a single location (facility). Each arrangement requires a separate application form and application fee.
Accredited certifiers may need to undergo regular audits by an approved auditor. Audits of accredited certifiers are charged at an hourly rate plus travel. Read the schedule of fees and charges for plant biosecurity certification and accreditation services.
The benefits of becoming an accredited certifier include:
- increased flexibility of operations - the businesses can plan and schedule operations without needing to arrange for a Biosecurity inspector to be present
- improved awareness of quality issues (through the use of documented responsibilities and duties for your staff)
- improved operational control (through well-documented procedures)
- improved staff participation (through structured and documented training)
- reduced certification costs.
How to obtain a biosecurity certificate from an inspector
If you plan to move plants or plant products and related risk items within Queensland, or out of Queensland to another Australian state or territory, you may need a biosecurity certificate.
Before contacting a biosecurity inspector to obtain the certificate, find out what the legal (quarantine) requirements are for the particular plants, plant products or related items you wish to move. Learn more about the requirements for moving equipment, plant material and soil.
If you do need a certificate, contact us online, by phone or in person to request the services of a Biosecurity Queensland inspector at least 48 hours before you want to move the particular items requiring certification. Failing to contact us within this time frame may result in delays.
Once the inspector has completed the inspection and is satisfied that the requirements for moving the particular plants, plant products or related items have been met, they will issue a biosecurity certificate in the form of a plant health certificate (PHC) and you will be allowed to move the items. The certificate must accompany the items to the destination described on the PHC.
The inspector will also provide you with a completed plant health service record, detailing the services delivered. Biosecurity Queensland provides certification and accreditation services on a fee-for-service basis and we will send you a tax invoice for this inspection service.
Read the schedule of fees and charges for plant biosecurity certification and accreditation services.
Accredited certifiers and accreditation schemes
As an accredited certifier you will be able to issue your own biosecurity certificates in the form of a plant health assurance certificate (PHAC). These certificates can be for your produce or, in some cases, on behalf of business. There are 2 certification assurance schemes available for accredited certifiers:
- Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) scheme
- Certification Assurance Accreditation (CAA) scheme.
These are nationally accepted systems of plant health certification that allow an accredited certifier to issue biosecurity certificates in accordance with their conditions of accreditation. This is an alternative to certification provided by a biosecurity inspector.
A person (or legal entity) may apply to become an accredited certifier. You must demonstrate effective in-house procedures that ensure any material consigned to intrastate or interstate markets meets the specified legal (quarantine) requirements.
How the ICA and CAA schemes work
The schemes are based on documented operational procedures that we have developed to meet the quarantine requirements for moving plants, plant products and related items within Queensland, or to another state or territory.
These operational procedures (accreditation systems) describe the processes, process controls, training requirements, certification, record keeping and audit requirements that you must implement and maintain as part of your accreditation.
Learn more about moving equipment, plant material and soil.
Accreditation arrangements
An accreditation arrangement is defined as an accredited certifier implementing an operational procedure (accreditation system) at a single location (facility). The requirements of an accreditation arrangement are described in each operational procedure.
The accredited certifier is responsible for specified treatments, inspections or other processes as described in each operational procedure that must be implemented and maintained. We ensure that the accreditation arrangement is in place and working effectively through regular audits based on risk.
More than 1 accreditation arrangement from 1 or both of the accreditation schemes is allowed.
Apply to become an accredited certifier
You can apply to become an accredited certifier by completing an application form. A separate application is required for each ICA or CAA arrangement being sought.
You can apply:
- online by completing an Application for accreditation of accredited certifier for interstate certification assurance (ICA) or certification assurance (CAA) arrangement
- or
- by downloading and completing either the:
An application is made by the legal entity (individual, partnership, company, cooperative, association or other legal entity) that owns and operates the business to be covered by the ICA or CAA arrangement.
All ICA arrangements and some CAA arrangements will be audited by Biosecurity Queensland before you are approved as an accredited certifier. Audits systematically examine your business processes, staff, equipment and facilities to verify that it meets the requirements of the operational procedure covering the ICA or CAA arrangement.
Regular scheduled audits will be carried out on all ICA arrangements, and some CAA arrangements. The number and frequency of audits are detailed in each operational procedure.
What ICA and CAA covers
Operational procedures have been developed for a range of treatments, conditions or other requirements, including:
- area/property freedom
- irradiation
- dipping
- flood spraying
- low-volume, non-recirculated spraying
- fumigation
- heat treatment (vapour heat and hot water)
- cold treatment
- hard green/mature green/unbroken skin condition
- pre-harvest treatment and inspection
- splitting and reconsigning certified produce
- nursery plant treatment and inspection
- product inspection/repacking.
Also consider...
- Learn more about moving equipment, plant material and soil.
Accreditation scheme operational procedures
Under the Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) and Certification Assurance Accreditation (CAA) schemes, different types of products may be covered by a number of different operational procedures.
Several operational procedures may provide acceptable options for the same pest on the same type of product for 1 or more destinations. Importing states or territories may have quarantine restrictions for other pests requiring certification in addition to those covered by operational procedures. It is essential that you check the entry requirements for the particular item you intend consigning with the destination plant quarantine authority.
Summaries of ICA operational procedures
Summaries of the current ICA operational procedures (with links to full text PDF files) are available from the ICA database. The Schedule of National ICA Documents details states and territories that accept a particular ICA operational procedure as a method of meeting their quarantine requirements.
CAA operational procedures are being developed and summaries of these procedures can be obtained by contacting us online, by phone or in person.
Changes to operational procedures
The details of each operational procedure are subject to change at short notice and depend on the quarantine restrictions set by importing states or territories. Accredited certifiers should contact us online, by phone or in person to ensure they have the correct and latest procedure before issuing a plant health assurance certificate. Where a change is made to an operational procedure, Biosecurity Queensland will notify relevant accredited certifiers of the change as soon as possible. A copy of the updated version of the procedure will also be provided.
Also consider...
- Learn more about moving equipment, plant material and soil.
- Read more about fire ant movement controls.
Fees and charges for plant biosecurity certification and accreditation services
The following fees apply to plant health certification services within normal working hours (6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).
Existing fees and charges did not increase on 1 July 2024 in line with the government's indexation policy.
Inspection and certification by a biosecurity inspector
Inspection fee
- $232.00 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
An inspection may include:
- supervising treatment
- inspecting products for condition or freedom
- inspecting the crop, property or nursery for freedom
- calibrating the tank or equipment calibration
- inspecting compliance.
Travel fees for inspection and certification services
- Single client – $232.00 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
- Multiple clients – a 30% discount is applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day
Travel fees are capped at a maximum of 2 hours for each service.
Delays
If an inspection cannot commence at the arranged time due to a delay caused by a business, charging of the inspection fee (charged in 15-minute increments) commences from the time originally booked.
Abandoned services
If a biosecurity inspector arrives on site to begin an inspection at an agreed time and a business elects to abandon the service, the hourly inspection fee will be charged in 15-minute increments for the time spent on site. Any travel fee to service this location will also be applied.
Issuing biosecurity certificates
- $57.98 per certificate where a site visit by the authorised officer is not required and where the activity takes no longer than 15 minutes
Certification assurance for an accredited certifier
Annual accreditation application fee
- $355.42 per year (non-refundable)
Books of plant health assurance certificates
- $31.70 per book (100 certificates), plus postage and handling fee per book where applicable
On-site audit fee
- $339.45 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
An audit may include 1 of the following types of audits:
- initial
- compliance
- follow-up
- investigatory
- random.
Travel fees for auditing services
- Single client – $339.45 per hour (charged in 15-minute increments)
- Multiple clients – a 30% discount is applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day
Travel charges are capped at a maximum of 2 hours for each service.
Delays
If an audit cannot begin at the arranged time due to a delay caused by a business, charging of the on-site audit fee (charged in 15-minute increments) commences from the time originally booked.
Abandoned services
If an auditor arrives on site to begin an audit at an agreed time and a business elects to abandon the service, the hourly on-site audit fee will be charged in 15-minute increments for the time spent on site. Any travel fee to service this location will also be applied.
Western Flower Thrips Property approval
- The approval fee for western flower thrip properties is no longer a distinct fee category. The standard annual accreditation application fee of $355.42 now applies.
- The fee for trap kits and identification is $178.75 per box of 5 traps.
Out-of-hours services
Out-of-hours services (including travel outside the normal working hours of 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and travel on public holidays) are charged at:
- $401.35 per hour for inspections, with a 30% discount applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day. Travel charges are capped at 2 hours per service
- $488.00 per hour for audits, with a 30% discount applied to each client's travel where multiple clients are seen at different sites on the same day. Travel charges are capped at 2 hours per service.
Out-of-hours charges do not apply if a service is conducted out of hours at the request of Biosecurity Queensland.
Note: All fees and charges shown include GST.
How fees are calculated
The fees for plant health certification services have been calculated based on the Queensland Government's Principles for Fees and Charges. These principles are used by all Queensland Government agencies to ensure a fair approach to the user pays system, and that major users and beneficiaries contribute more proportionately to costs.
The fee changes take into account the costs associated with providing the service, including:
- labour
- outlays
- overheads.
They were also benchmarked against fees under other Queensland and interstate legislation.
When third party providers of certification and audit services become available, we will introduce a market adjustment to provide a competitive playing field.
Fee structure
Traditionally, the fees and charges for biosecurity services in Queensland didn't reflect the costs of delivering those services, or the commercial benefits that businesses gain from biosecurity management. Providing these services at a loss to government means Queensland taxpayers have heavily subsidised these services.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 a new structure for biosecurity fees shares the costs of biosecurity risk management with those who create the risk, and ensures Queensland can continue to fund strong biosecurity.
Consultation for the new fee structure
Extensive consultation was undertaken with stakeholders about the new fee structure, including as part of the Regulatory Impact Statement consultation in 2014 where it was put forward as the best option for industry, government and the community.
Industry was consulted further about the endorsed fees through the Biosecurity Legislation and Reference Group, which includes industry and local government representatives.
Also consider...
- View the fee schedule for plant health certification and accreditation services.
- Learn more about moving equipment, plant material and soil.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021