Australia currently has emergency measures in place to address the risk of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) entering the country. This includes mandatory pre-border treatment of high risk plant products (such as rice, beans, lentils etc.) packed in khapra beetle target-risk countries
Australia is implementing a change to how Controlled Atmosphere (CA) treatments at atmospheric pressure are managed.
From 30 October 2025, Australia will only accept CA treatments at atmospheric pressure conducted by treatment providers approved under AusTreat, Australia's pre-border treatment provider scheme. Approved treatment providers will be publicly listed on the List of Treatment Providers on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website.
This change will affect a small number of treatment providers currently approved to conduct CA treatments outside the AusTreat scheme, as well as new providers seeking to undertake CA treatment at atmospheric pressure for Australian imports.
Australia's import permit conditions will be updated on 30 October 2025. The additional declaration required on the phytosanitary certificate will be updated as follows:
"The goods were treated with controlled atmosphere in accordance with Australia's Controlled Atmosphere Treatment Methodology by an approved provider of that treatment in Australia's List of Treatment Providers, as per the attached treatment certificate (insert treatment certificate number)."
Note:
This change does not apply to khapra beetle treatments using Controlled Atmosphere at altered pressure, methyl bromide fumigation, or heat treatment. For these treatment types, use of a treatment provider registered under a pre-border treatment provider scheme is not currently mandatory. These treatment providers should continue to follow existing import requirements. However, we strongly encourage eligible treatment providers to register under AusTreat, as the AusTreat framework will be progressively expanded to include these treatments in the future.
Treatment provider registration
Treatment providers can register for AusTreat now, ahead of this requirement taking effect on 30 October 2025.
Treatment providers seeking to be approved by 30 October 2025, must submit their applications by 15 October 2025 to allow sufficient processing time by DAFF.
Treatment providers are required to submit the 'AusTreat registration application form' and 'Controlled atmosphere (atmospheric pressure) treatment form'. These forms are available on the following webpage: AusTreat pre-border biosecurity treatment provider scheme - DAFF
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