DAFF Biosecurity and Imported Food Regulatory Fee Changes — Effective 1 July 2026

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has confirmed changes to biosecurity and imported food regulatory charges taking effect from 1 July 2026. Australian importers should review how these updates affect their landed costs and compliance obligations.

General Indexation: 3.8% Increase

Most legislated regulatory charges subject to an indexation provision will increase by 3.8% from 1 July 2026. This applies across a broad range of biosecurity and imported food regulatory fees, including full import declaration charges, vessel charges, and approved arrangement charges.

DAFF's updated 2026-27 Biosecurity Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) and pricing tables set out the new rates and are available on the Department's website.

Legislative Amendments — Also from 1 July 2026

Alongside the indexation increase, DAFF has made changes to biosecurity charging legislation that also commence 1 July 2026:

• Companion animal charges will increase above the standard 3.8% indexation rate
• New cost recovery charges have been introduced for imported live garden snails housed at DAFF's Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility
• Cost recovery provisions for avian imports have been revised
• The horse husbandry overstay fee and outside ordinary hours permit assessment fees have been removed

New Diagnostic Charges: Phased Implementation

DAFF is improving cost recovery for regulatory diagnostic services through a two-phase approach:

• Phase 1 — from 1 July 2026: New charges apply for diagnostic activities associated with international vessels.

• Phase 2 — from 1 November 2026: A revised fee structure — including fixed fees for most diagnostic activities relating to imported cargo — is expected to commence. This introduces cost recovery mechanisms that were previously not charged or only partially recovered.

What This Means for Importers

The 3.8% indexation flows through to most DAFF-regulated border activities, representing a direct increase to biosecurity processing costs across the majority of import pathways. Combined with the new phased diagnostic charges, importers should expect a stepped increase in their total cost of compliance through the 2026-27 financial year.

Importers of regulated commodities — particularly plant products, live animals, and goods subject to laboratory testing — are most exposed and should review the updated pricing tables accordingly.

Further Information

DAFF's 2026-27 Biosecurity CRIS and pricing tables are available at agriculture.gov.au. Direct enquiries can be directed to DAFF at BioCRIS@aff.gov.au.

Contact your KLN Oceania representative to understand how these changes may affect your import programme and customs cost profile.