Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) — freight forwarder and importer obligations
Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) + Biosecurity Regulation 2016 + Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021 + BICON import conditions — freight forwarder and importer obligations
- Requirements
- 19
- Last reviewed
- 15/04/2026
- Next review
- 15/04/2027
- Source
- Current compilations at 2026-04-15
Reconciliation notes
Curated build scoped to Westlink's role as international freight forwarder with confirmed biosecurity exposure (user-confirmed 2026-04-15). Includes importer-agent duties, container/vessel biosecurity measures, BMSB seasonal measures, offshore treatment regime, and record-keeping. Scope assumptions: (1) Westlink does NOT hold an Approved Arrangement (AA) under Biosecurity Act Chapter 7 — uses third-party DAFF-approved facilities (container examination facilities, quarantine-approved premises, fumigation providers); (2) Westlink handles project cargo likely to include vehicles, machinery, equipment — all elevated-risk goods under BICON; (3) Westlink as forwarder is commonly 'agent of the importer' under s.126 and carries duties accordingly. Total requirements: 19. Applicable: 16. Reference-only: 3. Coverage on Applicable rows (post Phase-A remediation): Full=0, Partial=16, Gap=0. Residual gap severities (all 16 rows now Partial — control documented, operational evidence accruing from the next operating cycle): High=8, Medium=8, Critical=0, Low=0. Phase-A remediation closed all 16 open gaps to Partial via the consolidated International Freight Compliance Procedure (OPS-PRO-001) + GOV-SCH-001 rev 2 records-retention schedule + GOV-POL-023 Trade Controls and Customs Compliance Policy; the 3 prior Critical gaps re-rated to High on documentation. The original near-total-gap profile (mirroring Customs) is closed; the consolidated procedure package anticipated here was delivered as OPS-PRO-001.
Requirements
Showing 19 of 19 requirements
| ID | Clause | Requirement | Applicability | Coverage | Evidence | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-SCOPE-01 | Biosecurity Act 2015 s.122 (importer) and s.126 (agent acting for importer) | The importer of goods subject to biosecurity control is liable for compliance with the Biosecurity Act. An agent (including a freight forwarder) acting on behalf of an importer is subject to equivalent duties in relation to the agent's functions. Both may be liable for contraventions arising from incorrect documentation or non-compliance. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-SCOPE-02 | Biosecurity Act 2015 Chapter 7 (Approved Arrangements) | A person may enter into an Approved Arrangement (AA) with the Director of Biosecurity to carry out specified biosecurity activities at their own premises under a documented arrangement. AA holders include container examination facilities, quarantine-approved premises, fumigation service providers, cold-treatment facilities. | Reference only | Referenced-only | — | Assumption: Westlink does not hold an AA. Uses third-party AA-holders. Confirm operationally; if Westlink operates a depot or warehouse that handles biosecurity-controlled goods, an AA is required — scope would expand materially to cover AA conditions, audits, breach reporting. |
| BIO-BICON-01 | Biosecurity Regulation 2016 Part 3 Division 3 + DAFF BICON system | Before importing goods, the importer (or forwarder as agent) must check BICON to determine whether the goods are prohibited, conditionally non-prohibited, or free from import conditions. Where import conditions apply, compliance evidence (e.g. offshore treatment certificate, phytosanitary certificate, manufacturer's declaration) must be obtained. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-BICON-02 | Biosecurity Act s.128 (duty to provide correct information) | A person must not provide a biosecurity officer with information or a document that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular. Strict liability offence. Includes information provided electronically via the Integrated Cargo System. | Applicable | Partial |
| High Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
| BIO-DOC-01 | BICON + International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) | Plant material, plant-derived products, and certain wood packaging must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country's NPPO (National Plant Protection Organisation), certifying compliance with Australia's import conditions and specified treatments. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-DOC-02 | ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) + BICON | Wood packaging (pallets, crates, dunnage) used in international trade must be treated (heat-treated or methyl bromide) and marked with the ISPM 15 stamp. Consignments with non-compliant wood packaging are held, treated at cost, or destroyed. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-BMSB-01 | BICON BMSB seasonal measures (1 Sep to 30 Apr each year) | During the BMSB risk season, BMSB-target goods manufactured in or shipped from target risk countries require mandatory offshore treatment by an AEP (Approved Entity/Plant) provider before export, or onshore treatment at an AA-facility on arrival. Target goods include vehicles, machinery, equipment, metal articles, ceramic products. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-BMSB-02 | BICON BMSB — AEP offshore treatment | The BMSB offshore treatment provider must be registered on the DAFF AEP (Approved Offshore Biosecurity Treatment Providers) list. Treatment certificates must be obtained and provided to DAFF. | Applicable | Partial |
| High Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
| BIO-CNT-01 | Biosecurity Regulation 2016 — sea container biosecurity | Sea containers arriving in Australia must be subject to biosecurity assessment. Containers identified as target sea freight (country or commodity risk) may require inspection at an AA-facility. Container hygiene is the packer's/shipper's responsibility. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-VES-01 | Biosecurity Act Chapter 4 (Ballast Water and Sediment) + vessel arrival reporting | Vessels arriving in Australian waters must comply with ballast water management requirements and must submit pre-arrival reporting to DAFF (arrival information, ballast water reports, crew health, cargo summary). | Reference only | Referenced-only | — | Vessel-owner/master obligation. Westlink as charterer should verify operator compliance as part of charter-party due diligence (MAR-ISPS-01 ties in). Reference only — not direct Westlink duty. |
| BIO-DIR-01 | Biosecurity Act s.137 (biosecurity direction to carry out measures) | Biosecurity officers may issue directions to importers/agents to treat, re-export, or destroy goods. Directions must be complied with at the importer's cost. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-DIR-02 | Biosecurity Act s.139 (dealing with goods under biosecurity control) | Goods under biosecurity control (between arrival and release) may only be moved or dealt with in accordance with permissions. Unauthorised movement or tampering is an offence. | Applicable | Partial |
| Medium Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
| BIO-PRO-01 | Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021 | Certain goods are prohibited imports (e.g. raw egg products, uncooked meat from certain countries, certain plant material, live animals without permit). Importation without the applicable permit or condition is an offence. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-CITES-01 | Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Part 13A + CITES | Trade in specimens of species listed under CITES requires permits issued under the EPBC Act. Applies to wildlife and wildlife products, certain timber species, ivory, etc. Regulated by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. | Reference only | Referenced-only | — | Rarely relevant to defence/industrial cargo. Reference-only; include brief awareness note in international freight compliance procedure (flag the category, defer to specialist broker if encountered). |
| BIO-AA-01 | Biosecurity Act Chapter 7 (use of AA-holders) | Where Westlink uses third-party AA-holders (container examination facilities, quarantine-approved premises, fumigation providers), due diligence should confirm the provider's AA standing, scope, and audit compliance. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-CRA-01 | Biosecurity Charges Imposition Act 2015 + Biosecurity Regulation 2016 | DAFF biosecurity inspection, treatment, and administrative activities are subject to cost recovery charges (inspection fees, AA audit fees, treatment fees, document assessment). Charges are payable by the importer/agent. | Applicable | Gap | — | Medium Biosecurity cost-recovery charges not documented in OPS-PRO-001 (the import doc) — absent from the cost/charges and Records coverage. |
| BIO-REC-01 | Biosecurity Act 2015 s.127 + Customs Act 1901 s.240 (document production and 5-year record retention) | Importers and approved-arrangement holders must keep records relating to biosecurity-controlled goods and produce them on demand (Biosecurity Act 2015 s.127); the corresponding 5-year retention obligation for the associated commercial import documents arises under Customs Act 1901 s.240. Records include commercial documents, treatment certificates, phytosanitary certificates, direction responses, cost-recovery receipts. | Applicable | Full |
| |
| BIO-ILL-01 | Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 + Regulations | An importer of regulated timber products must undertake due diligence to assess the risk that the timber was illegally logged. Process includes obtaining information about the timber, assessing the risk, and (where risk is not low) mitigating the risk before import. | Applicable | Gap | — | Medium Illegal-logging / timber import due-diligence not documented in OPS-PRO-001. |
| BIO-ENF-01 | Biosecurity Act Chapter 9 (investigation, enforcement) | Biosecurity officers have powers to enter premises, inspect goods, seize goods, and require information. Persons must not hinder or obstruct the exercise of these powers. | Applicable | Partial |
| Medium Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
Source document
Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) + Biosecurity Regulation 2016 + Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021 + BICON import conditions — freight forwarder and importer obligations
19 normative shall-statements extracted from Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) — freight forwarder and importer obligations (source: Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) + Biosecurity Regulation 2016 + Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system + DAFF operational guidance + Marine Order 42 (vessel arrival biosecurity reporting) (cross-reference)). The frontmatter requirements array is the source of truth — this body is rendered by scripts/render_compliance.py.
Coverage summary
| Coverage | Count |
|---|---|
| ✅ Full | 10 |
| 🟡 Partial | 4 |
| 🟠 Ref-only | 3 |
| 🔴 Gap | 2 |
| — N/A | 0 |
Gap severity distribution
| Severity | Count |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Critical | 0 |
| 🟠 High | 2 |
| 🟡 Medium | 4 |
| 🟢 Low | 0 |
Requirements
Clause BICON + International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-DOC-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Policy Statement’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Policy Statement’) |
Clause BICON BMSB seasonal measures (1 Sep to 30 Apr each year)
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-BMSB-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Policy Statement’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Policy Statement’) [OPS-MAN-003 §‘Treatments for cargo’](/wms/OPS-MAN-003#s’Treatments for cargo’) |
Clause BICON BMSB — AEP offshore treatment
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-BMSB-02 | 🟡 Partial | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) | 🟠 High | Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
Clause Biosecurity (Prohibited and Conditionally Non-prohibited Goods) Determination 2021
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-PRO-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Policy Statement’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Policy Statement’) |
Clause Biosecurity Act 2015 Chapter 7 (Approved Arrangements)
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-SCOPE-02 | 🟠 Ref-only | — | Assumption: Westlink does not hold an AA. Uses third-party AA-holders. Confirm operationally; if Westlink operates a depot or warehouse that handles biosecurity-controlled goods, an AA is required — scope would expand materially to cover AA conditions, audits, breach reporting. |
Clause Biosecurity Act 2015 s
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-SCOPE-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§3 Roles and Responsibilities’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§3 Roles and Responsibilities’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Organisational Context’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Organisational Context’) | ||
| BIO-REC-01 | ✅ Full | [GOV-SCH-001 §‘§4 Retention Schedule (International Freight and Customs Records)’](/wms/GOV-SCH-001#s’§4 Retention Schedule (International Freight and Customs Records)’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Records and Retention’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Records and Retention’) |
Clause Biosecurity Act Chapter 4 (Ballast Water and Sediment) + vessel arrival reporting
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-VES-01 | 🟠 Ref-only | — | Vessel-owner/master obligation. Westlink as charterer should verify operator compliance as part of charter-party due diligence (MAR-ISPS-01 ties in). Reference only — not direct Westlink duty. |
Clause Biosecurity Act Chapter 7 (use of AA-holders)
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-AA-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) |
Clause Biosecurity Act Chapter 9 (investigation, enforcement)
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-ENF-01 | 🟡 Partial | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) | 🟡 Medium | Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
Clause Biosecurity Act s
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-BICON-02 | 🟡 Partial | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Policy Statement’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Policy Statement’) | 🟠 High | Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
| BIO-DIR-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) | ||
| BIO-DIR-02 | 🟡 Partial | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) | 🟡 Medium | Control documented in OPS-PRO-001 §8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance (rev 1). Coverage Partial — documented, not yet operationally exercised; residual is operational evidence (biosecurity assessment records) accruing from the next operating cycle. |
Clause Biosecurity Charges Imposition Act 2015 + Biosecurity Regulation 2016
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-CRA-01 | 🔴 Gap | — | 🟡 Medium | Biosecurity cost-recovery charges not documented in OPS-PRO-001 (the import doc) — absent from the cost/charges and Records coverage. |
Clause Biosecurity Regulation 2016 Part 3 Division 3 + DAFF BICON system
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-BICON-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Policy Statement’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Policy Statement’) |
Clause Biosecurity Regulation 2016 — sea container biosecurity
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-CNT-01 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) [OPS-MAN-003 §‘Sea container cleanliness / Tailgate inspections’](/wms/OPS-MAN-003#s’Sea container cleanliness / Tailgate inspections’) |
Clause Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Part 13A + CITES
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-CITES-01 | 🟠 Ref-only | — | Rarely relevant to defence/industrial cargo. Reference-only; include brief awareness note in international freight compliance procedure (flag the category, defer to specialist broker if encountered). |
Clause ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-DOC-02 | ✅ Full | [OPS-PRO-001 §‘§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’](/wms/OPS-PRO-001#s’§8 Biosecurity at Consignment Acceptance’) [GOV-POL-023 §‘§Policy Statement’](/wms/GOV-POL-023#s’§Policy Statement’) [OPS-MAN-003 §‘Dunnage requirements’](/wms/OPS-MAN-003#s’Dunnage requirements’) |
Clause Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 + Regulations
| ID | Coverage | Evidence | Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO-ILL-01 | 🔴 Gap | — | 🟡 Medium | Illegal-logging / timber import due-diligence not documented in OPS-PRO-001. |
Rendered from frontmatter by scripts/render_compliance.py. Source extraction: scripts/extract_iso9001_requirements.py. Evidence population: scripts/populate_iso9001_evidence.py. Validate: scripts/compliance_validate.py.