Australia's Biosecurity Legislative instruments package released

The Australian Government, through the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, has released finalised legislative instruments under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Finalised legislative instruments under the Biosecurity Act 2015 are now publically available Federal Register of Legislation website. This includes instruments such as the:
- Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) 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
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 2015 will commence in less than two weeks, on 16 June 2016.
Vessel, airline and aircraft operators and those exporting goods to Australia, are advised to make sure they understand the legislation including changes that may affect their industry after commencement.
BICON remains the department's online source for import conditions and permit applications.
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 at https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2015A00062.
The department's website has dedicated information on the new legislation to help you understand what has changed. You can find this information at www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecuritylegislation.
For more information, or to make a submission, please visit: www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecuritylegislation or contact the Biosecurity Implementation Branch at newbiosecuritylegislation@agriculture.gov.au.